Senior Associate Director of Development, Athletics

Senior Associate Director of Development, Athletics

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The University of Chicago is one of the nation's leading institutions of higher education and research. Campus and Student Life (CSL) is comprised of 20 departments that serve the University's 15,000 college, graduate, and professional school students, as well as the campus community more broadly. CSL focuses on supporting student academic success, personal growth and leadership development, community and engagement, and athletic competition.

The Department of Athletics & Recreation supports student athletes in academics and athletics and aims to maintain a high-performing program.

Leads the athletics fundraising team, setting and implementing fundraising goals, strategies, and priorities in collaboration with colleagues in Athletics, Alumni Relations & Development (ARD), and the College.

• Under the joint direction of the Director of Athletics and Recreation and the Senior Director of Development in the College, creates and implements comprehensive strategies to identify, cultivate, and solicit College alumni and parents with the capacity to make gifts of $100K+. Directs a team whose primary focus is on increasing both dollars and donors to the athletics program, building engagement of individuals with the Athletics Department, teams, and coaches, and creating and refining gift opportunities based on the department’s priorities.
• With the Director of Athletics, executes on campaign fundraising and engagement goals that will help transform athletics in the coming decade.
• Achieves personal fundraising and activity goals monthly, quarterly, and annually by building and managing a portfolio of approximately 120 athletic prospects; executing a target of 100 prospect visits per year; and fundraising over $1M annually. Provides scheduled and ad hoc updates to managers on fundraising progress and strategies with key prospects.
• Manages the Assistant Director of Athletics Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, helping to execute a comprehensive engagement and annual giving solicitation strategy. Ensures the success of Friends of Maroon Athletics and serves as a development liaison for coaches and volunteer boards tied to athletics. Develops and executes a comprehensive strategy for the University’s Giving Day.
• Arranges for prospects to meet with appropriate Athletics leadership, coaches, and College and University leadership as part of cultivation. Maintains strong communication with College and University colleagues to coordinate prospect/donor relationships with athletics. Strengthens fundraising communication with coaches and athletics staff.
• Delivers timely follow-up to prospects and donors, generates customized fundraising proposals for athletics, and records contact reports in the prospect database. Partners on stewardship of major gift and planned giving donors supporting athletics.
• Actively participates in both the Department of Athletics and the College Development Team, providing content for the Athletics Department website, publications, and collateral materials. Coordinates major gifts donor activities at select athletic events and represents the Athletic Department at events as needed.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development and networking within the University and peer institutions.
• Establishes fundraising goals and monitors progress against department objectives; analyzes donor interests to maximize giving; develops communication strategies for projects and publications.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications – A college or university degree in a related field.

Work Experience – 5-7 years of related work experience with knowledge and skills in fundraising or a related area.

• Bachelor's degree; advanced degree preferred.
• Major gift fundraising experience of 3+ years with gifts at $100K+; 5 years in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar.
• 1-2 years of leading a…