Major Gifts Professional I (Athletics

Major Gifts Professional I (Athletics)

The Athletics Department is dedicated to excellence in collegiate sports, building a modern model of intercollegiate athletics, fostering integrity, innovation, and student-athlete success. The University of Arizona Athletics Department invites you to apply to the role of the Major Gifts Professional I. The principal objective of this position works with the major gifts program to enhance donor encouragement for the Athletics Department.

This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and travel as needed. Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities;

and more! The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Assist with identifying, fostering, soliciting, and retaining annual and leadership-level donors by supporting relationship-building activities that advance fundraising priorities under the direction of development leadership. Manage an assigned portfolio of donors and prospects by conducting routine outreach, maintaining regular communication, and implementing established stewardship activities to encourage continued philanthropic support. Assist in implementing donor relations and stewardship plans by coordinating donor benefits, recognition activities, and engagement opportunities that enhance the donor experience and support retention efforts.

Prepare and distribute fundraising communications, including donor solicitations, stewardship, correspondence, newsletters, event invitations, and impact messaging, using established communication strategies and approved materials. Coordinate donor recognition and acknowledgment activities by ensuring timely processing of recognition items, thank-you correspondence, and stewardship communications in accordance with departmental procedures. Collaborate with development staff, advancement services, ticket operations, marketing, and foundation partners to support fundraising initiatives, donor engagement activities, and stewardship efforts.

Support fundraising initiatives by identifying opportunities to strengthen donor relationships, increase annual giving participation, and assist in moving donors through established engagement, and stewardship processes. Assist with the planning and coordination of donor engagement events, hospitality functions, and special donor relations opportunities by managing logistics, communications, and event support. Serve as a liaison with advancement services and gift processing staff to assist with gift administration, donor benefit fulfillment, tax receipting, and stewardship reporting while following established policies and procedures.

Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, communication histories, and stewardship activities within fundraising systems to support reporting, donor management, and fundraising operations. Represent the organization at donor events, athletics contests, and engagement activities by providing courteous donor service and supporting stewardship efforts during occasional evenings and weekends. Assist with monitoring assigned program or event budgets by tracking expenditures and following established financial procedures.

Budget accountability. Additional duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Fosters a collaborative work environment through respectful and effective communication. Demonstrated experience managing value added projects and strategic initiatives. Strong organizational skills. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Ability to problem solve and make decisions. Ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions. Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships at all levels of the organization. Dedication and motivation to initiate, lead and support value-added projects.

Meticulous attention to detail. Knowledge of NCAA,…