Assistant Athletics Director for Development

The Assistant Athletics Director for Development serves a vital role within Pepperdine Waves Athletics overseeing Athletics Advancement efforts, leading the Athletics Advancement team, and serving as the primary major gift officer for Athletics Advancement. This individual will be responsible for executing on the Athletics Advancement strategic plan in collaboration with the Athletics and broader Advancement team, as well as other key staff and coaches in the athletics department. This individual is responsible for securing transformative philanthropic investments ranging from $100K to $1M+ and overseeing annual fundraising efforts, both in support of the Athletics Director’s key fundraising priorities.

Through strategic vision and leadership, the Assistant Athletics Director for Development will elevate the department’s fundraising efforts, fostering meaningful donor partnerships that enhance the student-athlete experience. The success of our mission to strengthen lives for purpose, service, and leadership is made possible by the generosity of our supporters, whose contributions provide the resources needed to sustain and expand mission-driven programming for Pepperdine student-athletes.

Duties

• Develop, organize, and oversee the fundraising strategy and programs for Athletics Advancement. Demonstrate effective strategies and utilize best practices in athletic fundraising. Participate in advancement and athletic activities and events including Pepperdine Waves athletic competitions, dinners, receptions, alumni events, campus visits, Athletics Board meetings etc., many of which involve evening and weekend work hours and some travel. 
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major and principal gift donors/prospects of 100-120 and conduct 80+ substantive major and principal gift visits annually. The focus is primarily on those with a capacity to give $100K to $1M+ annually. Consistently meet or exceed individual and team key performance goals. Identification of prospects includes prospective Pepperdine Athletics Board members, Sports Advisory Council members, and may include prospects for planned gifts. 
• Track and analyze fundraising metrics using Raiser's Edge (Pepperdine's advancement database), to research historical records and communications with donors and prospects, and document new actions and proposals. 
• Direct and conduct ongoing stewardship activities to enhance relationships between athletic donors and Pepperdine University. 
• Supervise, manage, and lead the Athletics Advancement team. 
• Develop and manage annual travel and expense planning. 
• Other duties as assigned. 
• Uphold University mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

The Assistant Athletics Director for Development serves a vital role within Pepperdine Waves Athletics overseeing Athletics Advancement efforts, leading the Athletics Advancement team, and serving as the primary major gift officer for Athletics Advancement. This individual will be responsible for executing on the Athletics Advancement strategic plan in collaboration with the Athletics and broader Advancement team, as well as other key staff and coaches in the athletics department. This individual is responsible for securing transformative philanthropic investments ranging from $100K to $1M+ and overseeing annual fundraising efforts, both in support of the Athletics Director’s key fundraising priorities.

Through strategic vision and leadership, the Assistant Athletics Director for Development will elevate the department’s fundraising efforts, fostering meaningful donor partnerships that enhance the student-athlete experience. The success of our mission to strengthen lives for purpose, service, and leadership is made possible by the generosity of our supporters, whose contributions provide the resources needed to sustain and expand mission-driven programming for Pepperdine student-athletes.

Duties

• Develop, organize, and oversee the fundraising strategy and programs for Athletics Advancement. Demonstrate effective strategies and utilize best practices in athletic fundraising. Participate in advancement and athletic activities and events including Pepperdine Waves athletic competitions, dinners, receptions, alumni events, campus visits, Athletics Board meetings etc., many of which involve evening and weekend work hours and some travel. 
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major and principal gift donors/prospects of 100-120 and conduct 80+ substantive major and principal gift visits annually. The focus is primarily on those with a capacity to give $100K to $1M+ annually. Consistently meet or exceed individual and team key performance goals. Identification of prospects includes prospective Pepperdine Athletics Board members, Sports Advisory Council members, and may include prospects for planned gifts. 
• Track and analyze fundraising metrics using Raiser's Edge (Pepperdine's advancement database), to research historical records and communications with donors and prospects, and document new actions and proposals. 
• Direct and conduct ongoing stewardship activities to enhance relationships between athletic donors and Pepperdine University. 
• Supervise, manage, and lead the Athletics Advancement team. 
• Develop and manage annual travel and expense planning. 
• Other duties as assigned. 
• Uphold University mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required:

• A bachelor’s degree and a minimum three to four plus years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, sales, or related profession.
• Must be highly organized, able to take direction and handle multiple tasks in a rapid-pace environment; ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines and fundraising goals; proven ability to work well with character diversity; excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• A satisfactory driving record, a valid driver’s license, and a reliable personal vehicle are required.
• Must have careful attention to detail; ability to work efficiently with minimum supervision, to deal with the public in a professional manner and to communicate clearly and accurately is required; working knowledge of personal computer and programs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, persuasion and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills and a high level of accountability to performance metrics.
• Strong interpersonal skills as well as an enthusiastic and winsome manner and maturity in athletic and social settings.
• Ability to successfully manage budgets.
• A general level of comfort dealing with high net worth individuals, an ability to maintain discretion, and a high level of confidentiality, when dealing with sensitive internal matters and with significant donors and benefactors.
• Ability to create strong relationships with coaches and staff and gain a comprehensive understanding of their sports and opportunities for gifts.
• Ability to work collaboratively with fundraising colleagues in central advancement and Pepperdine schools and programs is required.
• Ability to effectively communicate the vision, mission, and core values of Pepperdine University and make persuasive verbal and written cases for supporting the athletic department’s key priorities.
• Ability to communicate the impact of donations and ask for gifts, effectively capturing and matching donor interest with specific sports, programs, projects, and other funding priorities.
• Demonstrated computer competency with knowledge of Microsoft Office products, telephone, cell phone, FAX, optical scanner, copiers, standard office equipment.

Preferred:

• Two or more years of fundraising experience, including in an institute of higher education and preferably in athletics.
• Master's degree.
• Five years of relevant work experience.
• Former Pepperdine student athlete.
• Exhibits outstanding professional qualities, models collaboration, has organizational sensitivity to build support, confidence, and consensus from all facets of the Pepperdine and athletic communities.
• Experience with Google Mail, Google Docs, Sheets, and Calendars, Raiser’s Edge, Sales Force, Fontiva, Etrieve, and C2C PeopleSoft.

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.

This is a Regular, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $100,000 - $120,000 per year 

Candidates who possess a Bachelor's degree at minimum, along with all required qualifications listed above and five or more years of progressive experience in athletics fundraising, may be considered for an Associate Athletics Director for Development position. The expected pay range for this role is $125,000 - $145,000 per year.

The above pay ranges reflect what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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