Associate Athletic Director for Development

Job Title Associate Athletic Director for Development Department Planned Giving & Major Gifts Job Code A31307 Job category Full Time Staff Terms and Hours Full Time Exempt Salary Range Starting at $85,000; commensurate with experience

Job Summary

The Associate Athletic Director for Development is a senior advancement leader who will drive major, principal, and transformational philanthropic support for the University of Portland Athletics Program. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement and working in close partnership with the Vice President for Athletics, Athletics Leadership team, and head coaches, this highly motivated individual will play a pivotal role in the success of the University's comprehensive campaign and the future of Pilot Athletics.

With 16 varsity programs and more than 300 student-athletes, UP Athletics has a proud tradition of excellence, including national championships in soccer and decades of competitive success. The Associate Athletic Director will lead strategic fundraising initiatives for high-impact priorities, including athletic facilities, scholarships, endowments, and program enhancements. This position requires a proven professional with demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, exceptional relationship-building skills, and the ability to engage donors and senior leadership at the highest level.

Core Duties

* Provide strategic leadership to develop and execute a comprehensive major gift strategy for University Athletics aligned with University Relations campaign priorities and long term initiatives.

* Build and manage a robust portfolio and major gift prospects, with a focus on securing commitments of $50,000 and greater.

* Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects, ensuring personalized and meaningful engagement.

* Partner and collaborate with Athletics Team Coaches, Athletics Leadership Staff, and University Relations colleagues to create compelling philanthropic opportunities tied to team needs and strategic priorities.

* Serve as the primary liaison for Athletics for the University Relations comprehensive campaign to ensure alignment and visibility of athletic priorities with campaign integration.

* Develop and execute persuasive proposals and presentations for facilities, scholarships, and program support that inspire donor investment.

* Leverage Athletic events, tournaments, and recognition programs to deepen donor relationships and showcase donation impact.

* Conduct ongoing effective donor visits locally and nationwide.

* Represent University Athletics at home and away games, tournaments, and special events which may including extensive evenings and weekends.

* Utilize and track donor/prospect information within the current data management system, ensuring accuracy and adherence to NCAA and institutional policies.

* Regularly evaluate and assess progress toward goals, and report on results.

* Participate in scheduled check-ins and regular strategy meetings.

Other duties as relevant to the duties of the position or as assigned by supervisor or designee.

Please note that the above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position's purview and responsibility.

Education & Experience

* Required:

Bachelor's degree and minimum of 5 years of direct management experience in fundraising or marketing sales inclusive of relationship building and securing major gifts.

* Preferred:

Experience with constituent relations software (e.g. Raiser's Edge) or similar CRM.

* Preferred:
Experience representing Division I Athletics within a higher education setting.

* Preferred:
Direct fundraising experience with high levels of philanthropic investments and leadership that maintained ambitious fundraising goals.

* Or equivalent education and/or experience.

Certifications & Licenses

* Preferred:
Active Driver's License

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

* Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leaders, high-net-worth donors, and volunteer leaders.

* Demonstrated ability to manage up, across and down in high performing, highly motivated team settings.

* Ability to think strategically with results-driven professionalism.

* Ability to build authentic relationships and inspiring philanthropic investment.

* Ability to motivate volunteers and donors, self-motivated, and able to embrace the concept and attitude of teamwork in a complex organization.

* Comfortable operating at the highest levels of donor engagement and institutional leadership.

* Passionate about the transformative power of athletics and deeply committed to advancing the Holy Cross mission of the University of Portland, which calls us to educate the whole person, mind, heart, and spirit, and to form people prepared to lead and serve in a global community.

* Strong project management skills, including the ability to execute multiple and varied programs and events in service to a variety of audiences.

* Ability to communicate effectively with a wide…