Director of Development, Athletics

About University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation

Established in 2003, the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation (UMAF), a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, exists to raise philanthropic funds in support of the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s mission and highest aspirations. Located on the Amherst campus and wholly dedicated to supporting the University’s mission, UMAF is a separately governed nonprofit organization with its own health, wellness, and retirement benefits. UMAF serves the University of Massachusetts Amherst community by serving as a best practices resource for fundraising strategy and implementation.

The Director of Development is responsible for building and managing a portfolio of current and prospective athletic donors capable of making gifts of $25,000 or more. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, Athletics, the Director of Development is responsible for having a comprehensive understanding of campaign fundraising priorities, regularly meeting with prospects and donors (with a focus on face‑to‑face visits), regularly meeting with development colleagues and athletic leaders, preparing briefing materials and gift proposals, attend sporting events and other development focused engagement opportunities.

This position is classified as an exempt position, meaning that the Director of Development receives a salary, and is not paid on an hourly basis or eligible for overtime.

This is a full‑time hybrid position and is open to employees in select US states:
Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.

• Actively manage a portfolio of current and prospective athletic donors capable of making major gifts of $25,000 or more.
• Meet or exceed annual fundraising goals, which are focused on soliciting major gifts, closing major gifts, conducting personal visits, dollars raised, and growing the proposal pipeline.
• Ensure continuous progress in moving assigned donors through donor cycle (e.g., qualify, engage, cultivate, solicit, and steward). Document all quality contacts and moves management strategies through the use of the prospect tracking system (Advance).
• Collaborate with central advancement such as planned giving, principal gifts, corporate and foundation relations on major gift proposals.
• Create and update strategic plans for donors you plan on soliciting. Participate in relationship management teams and contribute to strategic plans associated with key donors.
• Complete donor briefings and prepare written correspondence for senior leadership associated with your assigned prospects. Prepare the dean, other administrators, or volunteers for development activities.
• Participate in key events, committees and other opportunities focused on cultivating relationships with donors, prospects, and internal partners; support advisory councils with development‑related matters and manage volunteers as appropriate.
• Maintain a high degree of confidentiality and adhere to the policies and procedures for accepting, recording, and acknowledging gifts.
• While a majority of time will center around donor management, pipeline development, consistent and personalized stewardship, an effort is required to support the team, and UMAF as a positive team player.
• Contribute to fundraising team meetings, including donor strategy conversations; and as a positive team member of the UMAF, attend development officer meetings, professional development activities, and other staff meetings as appropriate.
• In addition to efforts that revolve around fundraising, you will also be expected to track expenses, manage travel logistics, and support the budget process.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff partners to support the creation of visions that will resonate with donors and lead to securing major and blended gifts, and to develop a deep and evolving understanding of priorities and program initiatives that require philanthropic support.

• UMAF is building and growing, and this position will support those efforts with other duties and projects as assigned from time to time.

• Bachelor's degree from an…