Director of Athletics and Recreation Development

Colby College•Colby, KS

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Colby College seeks an inspirational and highly motivated Director of Athletics and Recreation Development to elevate the athletics and recreation fundraising program. This role builds on a strong foundation of annual, endowment, and capital gift performance to achieve top 10 status in the Division III Learfield Director’s Cup Standings. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Major and Planned Giving and collaborating closely with the Harold Alfond Director of Athletics, the Director will drive fundraising strategy and foster enthusiasm among alumni, parents, and volunteers for Colby Athletics. The position involves cultivating external relationships, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and principal gift prospects, and implementing a strategic plan to increase support. The successful candidate will have a proven record of building collaborative relationships and deep connections with key constituencies. A strong appreciation for collegiate athletics, the liberal arts experience, and Colby’s core values is essential. The Director manages two staff members: a leadership annual gift officer and an assistant director of athletics fundraising. The Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center, a 350,000-square-foot, LEED Platinum-certified facility opened in 2020, serves as a high-performance hub. Colby Athletics is committed to a culture of “competitive excellence” balancing elite athletic performance with academic rigor. The program has seen significant growth, from 133rd in 2019 to 33rd in the Learfield Cup rankings, fueled by investment in coaching and infrastructure. Since the role's creation in 2022, annual support has grown 78% and donor headcount has increased by 29%. Opportunities remain for capital projects and endowments to support coaches. The Director will collaborate with and inspire Advancement and Athletics staff, including frontline fundraisers, coaches, and leadership, to meet aspirational departmental goals.

Requirements

At least 7 years of experience in advancement (or a closely related field) is required, with proven experience managing a portfolio, closing major and leadership gifts, and managing staff.
A bachelor’s degree is required.
Valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements.

Nice To Haves

Proven experience in soliciting athletics prospects or otherwise managing an athletics fundraising program is preferred.
Flexibility to travel and work evenings or weekends.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and long-term while successfully attending to more immediate goals and tasks; strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Ability to motivate and inspire donors, volunteers, coaches, and colleagues.
Possesses a “can-do” demeanor that conveys confidence and enthusiasm.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including superb relationship skills and ability to network with people across a wide range of levels of power and influence.
Comfortable meeting and engaging with parents and alumni to develop rapport in informal settings.
Exceptional organizational skills, ability to consistently meet simultaneous deadlines and follow through on assignments promptly, and attention to detail.
Able to handle confidential information tactfully and exercise discretion.
Strong, self-motivated work ethic; flexibility; and proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively and constructively as a member of a diverse community.
Highly developed computer skills including experience using Microsoft Office Suite; Google Suite; email, web, and database applications, as well as an interest in and ability to learn new computer programs with ease and in a self-guided manner; experience with fundraising software.
A focus on teamwork, collaborative leadership, strategic thinking, workflow and the ability to effectively manage time and multiple tasks are essential.
Willingness to travel and to work hours outside the normal working day to be present and networking at games and events (i.e. nights and weekends).
An entrepreneurial spirit and a positive attitude.
A leader who is collaborative, collegial, transparent, and oriented toward teamwork.
Understand the characteristics of a successful leader: integrity, judgment, creativity, positivity, and humor.

Responsibilities

Oversee all aspects of growing principal, major, leadership, and annual gift fundraising for athletics and recreation, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects and donors for the program.
Establish revenue projections for each team and execute the fundraising strategy to achieve set goals by working in close collaboration with the Harold Alfond Director of Athletics and head coaches.
Lead prospect managers in solicitations and other guidance for athletics prospects, partnering on establishing solicitation targets and strategies, and driving the total pipeline for Athletics fundraising.
Support coaches in solicitations, fundraising strategy, and engagement of alumni and families who support their teams.
Manage, attend, and network at several athletics-oriented and team-based events throughout the year, including, but not limited to, home games, select away games, alumni days, engagement events, and other key events.
In partnership with athletics, identify opportunities for key celebratory events that will unlock philanthropic support.
Lead and elevate the management, stewardship, and solicitation activity of 20+ philanthropic varsity boards, activating their full potential to grow peer-to-peer fundraising and enhance athletics, and maintaining a pipeline of potential board members with philanthropic capacity and inclination.
Oversee marketing and communication strategies to continuously promote opportunities for communicating the priorities of Colby Athletics and Recreation to a broad audience of prospects and donors.
Proactively manage a portfolio of high-level prospects and donors.
Oversee and maintain a robust stewardship program to appropriately recognize and thank all donors.
Perform other duties as assigned.