Assistant Director of Athletics Advancement and Leadership Annual Fund

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates•Philadelphia, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Saint Joseph’s University seeks a collaborative and results-oriented professional to serve as Assistant Director of Athletics Advancement, Leadership Annual Fund. This position plays a key role in driving philanthropic support for SJU Athletics, with a focus on leadership annual giving across non-basketball programs. The role emphasizes donor engagement, strategic coordination with coaches and Advancement colleagues, and execution of high-impact events aligned with the University’s Jesuit mission.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of constituents.
Excellent organizational and project management abilities, with attention to detail.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling donor messaging.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Commitment to the mission and values of Saint Joseph’s University.

Responsibilities

Partner with senior Advancement leadership to establish and manage a portfolio of leadership annual fund donors.
Lead the strategic planning and execution of the Hawk Athletic Fund, with accountability for meeting an annual fundraising goal of $1.25 million.
Build and execute strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors.
Organize and streamline donor and prospect lists across all non-basketball athletic programs to ensure coordinated outreach and engagement.
Collaborate with head coaches and program leaders of non-basketball teams to develop and implement annual fundraising plans.
Create tailored “priority menus” for each team that clearly outline funding needs and giving opportunities.
Develop concise, compelling “90-second” promotional pitches or storytelling assets for each program to support donor engagement and solicitations.
Work closely with Adam Gault and the Advancement team to support planning and execution of the University’s Day of Giving campaign, with a focus on Athletics participation and results.
Assist in the planning and execution of Athletics-related donor events, including: Men’s basketball pre-game and halftime receptions, Golf outings, Donor and alumni dinners, Alumni Days, End-of-year celebrations.
Ensure strong event execution and a high-quality donor experience aligned with Advancement goals.
Lead post-event follow-up efforts to deepen donor relationships, enhance stewardship, and increase future engagement and giving.
Oversee Advancement-related ticket allocations and experiences for men’s and women’s basketball games.
Collaborate with advancement colleagues to strategically engage current parent donors through game day experiences and targeted outreach.
Work closely with colleagues across Advancement and Athletics to ensure alignment of messaging, strategy, and donor engagement efforts.
Maintain accurate records of donor interactions, event participation, and fundraising progress within the University’s CRM system.