Major Gifts Officer - Athletics

Major Gifts Officer - Athletics

Rice University, a 300‑acre tree‑lined campus in Houston, Texas, is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice is known for its 6‑to‑1 undergraduate student‑to‑faculty ratio and residential college system that supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally.

Reporting to the Associate Athletic Director of Development/Major Gifts, this role plans, organizes, and manages the development of complex major gift support for athletic fundraising priorities. Responsibilities include the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donor prospects capable of gifts at the $100K to $4.9M level, working with the Development team to prepare solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship strategies, and executing the fundraising strategy for a specific athletic campaign priority.

An entrepreneurial self‑starter with a demonstrated track record of securing major gift commitments, able to partner with divisional and university stakeholders to garner philanthropic resources on behalf of Rice University.

• Bachelor’s degree
• 3+ years of related experience

• Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
• Advanced problem‑solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage projects simultaneously
• Excellent organizational and time‑management skills
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
• Excellent data analysis skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines
• Adept at problem‑solving, creating contingency plans, and handling issues when necessary
• Excellent client service orientation and attention to detail
• Ability to lead and motivate others
• Strategic skills to craft and implement fundraising and/or project plans
• Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned

• 6+ years of experience specified above and fundraising experience with an institution of higher education
• Working knowledge of CRMs
• Certified Fund‑Raising Executive (CFRE) certification

• Develop and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors, with an emphasis on $100K+ gifts
• Identify fundraising priorities and devise plans and strategies to accomplish goals
• Work collaboratively with coaches, athletic staff, and development colleagues in support of fundraising initiatives
• Collaborate on development‑related communications and events
• Perform all other duties as assigned

• Travel is required
• Occasional evening and weekend work in support of special projects and events
• Work with and supervise the efforts of volunteers involved in fundraising initiatives
• Ability to work long periods of time in front of a computer

Rice University HR – Benefits information: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./benefits

Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713‑348‑5841 or adarice.

If you have any additional questions, please email jobs. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Other

Higher Education