Assistant / Associate Director of Development, Athletics & Recreation

Colby College•Colby, KS

1d•$55,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

Colby College seeks a highly motivated Assistant or Associate Director of Athletic Fundraising to build on momentum generated by the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center and expand annual and capital support. Reporting to the Director of Development for Athletics and Recreation, the position qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards alumni, parents, and friends in support of a $3.2 million area goal for FY27, following $2.8 million raised in FY26. Portfolio size and responsibilities vary by rank. The Assistant Director focuses on team and department communications, prospect qualification, pipeline building, volunteer board support, and solicitations at the $2,500–$10,000+ level. The Associate Director manages a portfolio of 150–200 households, soliciting $10,000–$100,000+ for annual, endowed, and capital priorities while leading varsity board strategy. Both levels partner with coaches and volunteers to manage Friends of Colby Athletics varsity boards and identify new major-gift prospects. The hiring range is $55,000–$65,000 for the Assistant Director level and $75,000–$90,000 for the Associate Director level. The position requires travel and work outside normal business hours, including nights and weekends. The role involves regular movement around campus, extended computer use, professional interaction with the public, and careful handling of confidential information. Most roles generally involve regularly lifting up to 10 pounds, with some positions requiring occasional lifting up to 35 pounds.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience.
Associate Director: 3–5 years of fundraising or related experience.
Assistant Director: At least 2 years of fundraising or communications experience.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Organizational and time-management skills, and ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team.
Professional conduct and appropriate handling of confidential information.
Attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities, meet deadlines, and achieve ambitious goals.
Prior experience managing volunteers, ability to manage complex relationships, and collaboration and teamwork skills in a diverse community.
Understanding of the moves management process and ability to think and work strategically.
Willingness to travel and work outside normal working hours, including nights and weekends.
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements.
For the Assistant Director, experience with email marketing tools, database management, and Microsoft Office Suite is required.

Nice To Haves

For the Associate Director, demonstrated success making direct solicitations is preferred.
For the Assistant Director, athletics annual giving or fund management and/or nonprofit annual giving experience is highly preferred.
Experience with GiveCampus and Blackbaud technology is preferred.

Responsibilities

For the Associate Director, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of alumni, parents, and friends capable of leadership annual fund gifts and contributions to athletics and recreation priorities within Dare Northward, particularly gifts of $10,000 and above.
For the Assistant Director, partner with the Colby Fund team, Advancement Communications, and Athletics Communications to design and execute multichannel communications and dedicated athletic giving challenges.
In partnership with the Director of Development for Athletics and Recreation, manage athletics alumni varsity boards to increase alumni participation, grow annual fund support for varsity programs, and engage athletics alumni.
Participate in events and programs supporting development activities, engage key volunteers, and use events and other activities to advance solicitations.
Partner with the Colby Fund team to implement an annual giving plan that achieves athletics and recreation dollar and participation goals, including mass annual giving campaigns and micro campaigns.
Partner with coaches on budgeting and goal-setting, solicitations, and board management.
Gather and analyze data to assess alumni or families for assignment to gift officers.
Share athletics and recreation updates, milestone anniversaries, and current-use fundraising needs with divisional colleagues.
Represent athletics engagement by regularly attending athletics contests and events.
Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change.