Job Description:

Division:  Advancement

Department:  Athletics Development

Job summary : Fairfield University is seeking a dynamic Associate Director of Athletics Development/Associate Athletics Director that will manage a portfolio of donors and prospects in support of the athletic department's initiatives and goals. This position will work directly with an assigned group of athletic programs (Varsity & Club) to support the development and implementation strategies to achieve individual team fundraising goals. The Associate Director is responsible for raising restricted and unrestricted funds for teams and the department through personal solicitations and events. The Associate Director is also responsible for supporting key fundraising events and programs which include, but not limited to Monarch (Former Student-Athlete Giving Society), Golf Outings, Giving days and the Hall of Fame. Where appropriate, the Associate Director of Athletics Development will coordinate efforts with Athletic Marketing, Sports Information, Compliance and University Advancement teams. 

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION : Bachelor's Degree required.  Graduate degree preferred

Experience : At least 4-6 years' experience in higher education, fundraising, sales, volunteer management or related experience.  Athletic-related work experience preferred. Excellent written, interpersonal and communications skills required. Additional desired qualifications would include thorough knowledge of athletics and Division I Basketball, marketing, public relations, and personnel management.

Strong organizational skills with proven ability to work well under pressure and to handle multiple prospects and requests concurrently, while meeting multiple deadlines. 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:     

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Job Description:

Division:  Advancement

Department:  Athletics Development

Job summary : Fairfield University is seeking a dynamic Associate Director of Athletics Development/Associate Athletics Director that will manage a portfolio of donors and prospects in support of the athletic department's initiatives and goals. This position will work directly with an assigned group of athletic programs (Varsity & Club) to support the development and implementation strategies to achieve individual team fundraising goals. The Associate Director is responsible for raising restricted and unrestricted funds for teams and the department through personal solicitations and events. The Associate Director is also responsible for supporting key fundraising events and programs which include, but not limited to Monarch (Former Student-Athlete Giving Society), Golf Outings, Giving days and the Hall of Fame. Where appropriate, the Associate Director of Athletics Development will coordinate efforts with Athletic Marketing, Sports Information, Compliance and University Advancement teams. 

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION : Bachelor's Degree required.  Graduate degree preferred

Experience : At least 4-6 years' experience in higher education, fundraising, sales, volunteer management or related experience.  Athletic-related work experience preferred. Excellent written, interpersonal and communications skills required. Additional desired qualifications would include thorough knowledge of athletics and Division I Basketball, marketing, public relations, and personnel management.

Strong organizational skills with proven ability to work well under pressure and to handle multiple prospects and requests concurrently, while meeting multiple deadlines. 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:     

• Experience soliciting and securing gift commitments $5,000-$100,000+ designations, gifts involving planned gifts and multiyear pledges. Ability to engage donors, understand their goals, and prepare gift proposals that will best accomplish those goals.

• Knowledge of moves management in order to identify, qualify, cultivate and solicit prospects at appropriate gift levels.

• Experience making cold calls and other introductory contacts to secure appointments with prospects.

• An aptitude to network with and solicit high net worth individuals.

• Excellent time management and organizational skills.

• Must excel at writing, interviewing and listening.

• Ability to effectively build and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with internal and external constituents.

• Goal driven and self-motivated.

• Able to work well independently and with others.

• Commitment to the mission of Fairfield University.

• Ability to effectively communicate Fairfield University’s mission and case for philanthropic support. Experience in higher education fundraising is preferred.

• Experience with Raiser’s Edge/NXT (or other donor management software) strongly preferred.

WORK CONDITIONS:  Travel up to 50% or more per month to achieve visit and other goals is required, which involves local, regional and some overnight travel and driving at night. Occasional attendance at evening and weekend events required. Valid driver’s license required.

Essential Functions:

Manages a portfolio of donors and prospects in support of the Athletics Department Initiatives.  This includes working with Head Coaches & Friends Group Volunteers of assigned teams. (75%)

• Develop and manage a portfolio of current annual fund donors/major gift donors and prospects to move them to higher levels of engagement and donation.

• Meet face to face/Zoom with alumni, parents, and friends to deepen their engagement with Fairfield University Athletics.

• Work closely with the development staff and the rest of the athletics department to develop and manage engagement, solicitation and stewardship strategies.

• Help build a planned giving presence in Athletics.

Update and maintain donor database with interactions, opportunities, plans, and outcomes to produce comprehensive understanding to be use in identifying prospect stages and reassignments.

Annual Fund and Event Support (15%)

• Manage and support regional events and donor cultivation around basketball and other assigned teams for alumni/parent events and activities

• Collaborate with Assistant Director of Development for Annual Giving and Events to strategically plan and staff athletics fundraising and stewardship events including but not limited to golf outings, Friends of Fairfield gatherings and others

• Support athletics efforts during Fairfield Universities STAGiving Day, Giving Tuesday and the Hall of Fame

• Work with sports information and marketing to develop communication related to donor stewardship and impact

• Represent and promote the department of athletics at appropriate alumni, business, community, and university functions.

• Duties may be changed and/or be added at any time.

Work with Prospect Management and Sr. Associate AD / Director of Athletic Development on a regular basis to identify prospects for reassignment to and out of portfolio. 

Development Support (10%)

• Support the Sr. Associate AD / Director of Athletic Development to achieve department goal

• Provide reports and data to the Sr. Associate AD / Director of Athletic Development to support the strategies and goals of the department

Marginal Functions:
Participate in all required university fundraising and advancement protocols including such activities as organizational meetings, retreats, annual planning, goals setting and reporting.

Maintain current best practices for athletic development, and have a visionary approach to creating campaigns, mini-campaigns, micro-philanthropy, social media, and stewardship activities.

Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Associate Athletics Director of Development.

This position is based at Fairfield University’s Fairfield, CT campus.

Disclaimer: The above information on this description 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.

Category:

Advancement - Admin

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate. 
 

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Load a resume or CV first, then upload supporting documents including a cover letter at the bottom of the third page under the "My Experience" section where it says to upload a Resume/CV. You will be able to upload up to 5 other documents in this section. You will be unable to edit your application, so please have all documents available before applying.

Faculty Positions: If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email the additional documents to the applicable contact in the job description.

Staff positions: If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email them to hr@fairfield.edu

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