Associate Athletic Director for Major Gifts

Marshall University • Huntington, WV

51d • $65,000 - $75,000

About The Position

The Associate Athletics Director for Major Gifts provides strategic leadership in securing philanthropic support for Marshall Athletics. This position identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards donors and prospects capable of making major gifts to advance department priorities such as scholarships, facilities, program enhancements, and student-athlete well-being. Serving as a senior member of the Big Green staff, the Associate AD manages a portfolio of high-capacity donors, collaborates closely with University Advancement, and drives measurable growth in annual and major gift revenue.

Requirements

• Must be able to perform all essential job duties as outlined in the job description.
• Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible fundraising or development experience, ideally in intercollegiate athletics or higher education.
• Proven track record of securing major gifts and meeting fundraising goals.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and travel extensively for donor engagement.
• Commitment to the mission, values, and traditions of Marshall University and The Big Green.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in sports administration or related field.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising & Portfolio Management:
• Manage a personal portfolio of 75-100 qualified major gift prospects with giving capacity of $25,000+.
• Conduct at least 150 meaningful donor contacts annually, including in-person visits, calls, and virtual meetings.
• Develop individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies to advance prospects through the giving cycle.
• Solicit and close major gifts that meet or exceed annual fundraising goals set by Big Green leadership.
• Maintain an active proposal pipeline of 12-15 solicitations at all times.
• Partner with coaches and administrators to identify fundraising priorities and align donor interests with departmental needs.
• Donor Relations & Stewardship:
• Serve as a primary relationship manager for major donors and key stakeholders.
• Provide personalized stewardship and recognition to strengthen donor loyalty and retention.
• Collaborate with Big Green staff to coordinate donor engagement events, game-day hospitality, and special initiatives.
• Represent Marshall Athletics at donor functions, university events, and community engagements.
• Strategic Leadership & Collaboration:
• Work in partnership with the Executive Director of the Big Green, the Athletic Director, and University Advancement to achieve departmental fundraising objectives.
• Support the design and execution of capital campaigns and other special fundraising initiatives.
• Utilize CRM systems to document activity, proposals, and outcomes; ensure data integrity and accountability.
• Mentor and support development staff and student interns as assigned.

Benefits

• Work week is 37.5 hrs.
• A great highlight in December is that Marshall University employees receive almost two weeks off for Winter Break!
• Holidays - Employees receive 13 Paid Holidays
• Annual and Sick Leave - Classified Staff, Non-Classified Staff and 12-month Faculty earn up to 24 days of annual leave per year (max 360 hours) and up to 18 days of sick leave per year.
• Health Insurance - Marshall University offers health insurance through West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA). There are seven (7) health benefit plans.
• Educational/Tuition Benefits - Marshall University provides tuition benefits to regular employees (after probationary period) and their dependent children.
• Retirement Plans - Marshall University offers retirement through Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA). Full-time benefits eligible employees must participate in the mandated retirement plan (401(a)).
• Life Insurance - Basic term life insurance ($10,000) at no cost and may purchase optional life insurance coverage with pre-tax earnings.
• Wellness Programs - PEIA provides various care management programs and the Pathways to Wellness program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees