Assistant Athletic Director for Annual Giving, Great Dane Athletic Club - Major Gifts

About the University at Albany

Established in 1844 and designated a University Center of the State University of New York in 1962, the University at Albany's broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research, and public service engages a diverse student body of approximately 17,000 students in nine schools and colleges across three campuses. Located in Albany, New York, New York State's capital, the University is convenient to Boston, New York City, and the Adirondacks.

As a member of the Division of University Advancement, the Assistant Athletic Director for Annual Giving is charged with contributing to the success of UAlbany's annual unrestricted gifts campaign, which has an overall goal of raising $6+ million in charitable donations from alumni, parents, friends, students, faculty, staff and corporations annually. This individual's primary responsibility is to increase philanthropic support for UAlbany by securing annual fund gifts through the Great Dane Athletic Club (GDAC), the membership‑based annual giving program focused on UAlbany Athletics.

• Manage a portfolio of Athletics annual giving prospects and donors, with a focus on qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Conduct regular outreach through face‑to‑face visits, phone calls, virtual meetings, and event‑based engagement. Identify and assess major gift potential and strategically transition qualified prospects to the Associate Athletic Director for Development. Work strategically to increase donor retention, upgrade giving levels, and grow overall participation.
• Primarily responsible for daily operations of GDAC, including coordination between Advancement and Athletics colleagues to track and allocate benefits, seating and parking allocations, gift processing, related game‑day operations, special events and activities.
• In coordination with the Office of Annual Giving, taking a leadership role in the design and implementation of direct marketing and solicitation efforts for UAlbany Athletics donors and prospective donor segments.
• Coordinating with the Office of Donor Relations and Athletics colleagues to facilitate enhanced stewardship, excellent customer service, and fan experience to Athletics donors, including recognition at events, inclusion in high‑level donor activities, special access to Athletic events, and profiles in university web and print materials.
• Collaborating with colleagues from Athletics and the UAlbany Alumni Association with initiatives related to fan engagement, and the formation of a focused strategy on engaging the community to increase ticket sales, fundraising and overall pride in UAlbany Athletics.
• Representation at numerous external functions, home and away athletic contests, donor trips, and University functions while always maintaining the highest level of professionalism, including numerous daily phone calls and frequent personal interaction with donors. Helps to organize special events and projects in support of the Athletics program's fundraising efforts.
• Provide leadership, oversight and direction to direct reports to assure goals, programs, activities, and personnel practices are consistent with and contribute to the University's goals and strategies. Lead employees for maximum performance and dedication. Complete performance management feedback and goals in a timely and per requirements.
• Other reasonable duties as assigned.

• Reports to:
  
  Associate Director of Athletics for Development.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, manage multiple projects and take initiative.
• Ability to attend all home football, men's basketball, and men's lacrosse games, along with occasionally attending away athletic contests and other related events, all of which frequently occur on nights and weekends.
• Familiarity and understanding of current issues in intercollegiate athletics and higher education.
• Ability to direct and perform confidential, detailed work with accuracy under deadline pressure.
• Working…