Director of Development, Athletics

Seattle University

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Seattle University is seeking a Director of Development, Athletics to direct and accelerate philanthropic support and alumni cultivation for its Athletic program. This role aligns with Seattle University’s Reignited Strategic Directions and reports to the Associate Vice President (AVP) for Development in University Advancement. The Director will collaborate with other University Advancement colleagues and campus partners, including Corporate & Foundation Relations (CFR), Gift Planning, development officers, college/school leaders, and key faculty and staff. The position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts of $100,000 and above, and providing meaningful stewardship experiences. The Director will help position the Athletics department for success by aligning fundraising efforts with the program’s strategic priorities and Seattle University’s strategic directions. This role also involves managing alumni relations efforts and strategic events for alumni.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of progressively responsible experience in higher education fundraising or a comparably complex organization with an emphasis on cultivating and soliciting major gifts.
• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, with an emphasis on individual donor cultivation and solicitation experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of the value of business education.
• Knowledge of and ability to animate the Jesuit Catholic mission, vision, and values of Seattle University.
• Knowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding equity, diversity, inclusion, implicit bias, institutional racism, and other systemic oppressions.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, donors, and community leaders.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills.
• Results-oriented and collaborative, with the ability to organize multiple priorities concurrently.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software.
• Experience with donor management database systems, preferably Raiser’s Edge.
• Ability to travel and attend evening/weekend events.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Extensive experience with individual major gift fundraising.
• Prior experience with grant and/or proposal writing.
• Familiarity with gift planning.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects in support of SU Athletics.
• Build, manage, and engage a 125-donor portfolio for current and future solicitations, prioritizing personal visits.
• Make 30 qualification face-to-face visits beyond the 125 portfolio.
• Maintain a top 25 pool of prospective major gift donors for solicitation within 12-18 months.
• Submit 12-20 major gift proposals annually.
• Lead, facilitate, and implement the Athletic’s annual planning process in partnership with AVP Development.
• Assist and position the VP Athletics to engage and solicit prospects and donors.
• Develop and implement a solicitation strategy for assigned top prospects.
• Coordinate fundraising efforts with Gift Planning and Corporate & Foundation Relations (CFR) teams.
• Collaborate with UA Annual Giving team on annual giving efforts.
• Prepare briefing documents for President and campus leadership.
• Compile stewardship reports for major donors.
• Develop compelling written proposals, including proposals to organizational donors in coordination with CFR.
• Facilitate the participation of the VP Athletics, Staff and Coaches in university development and alumni activities.
• Develop, execute, and track progress of the VP Athletics annual operating plan.
• Partner closely with Corporate & Foundation Relations on proposal strategy and development.
• Respond strategically to evolving university priorities, keeping Athletic’s donors and fundraising volunteers engaged.
• Continuously learn about the University, SU Athletics programs, community partners, faculty, and students to inform strategies.
• Participate in Athletics’ program leadership team meetings.
• Support advisory boards regarding philanthropic opportunities and nominations.
• Manage solicitations for the VP’s Advisory Board.
• Manage donor relations for Department of Athletics’ initiatives.
• Manage the Redhawk Club, annual SU Gives strategy and implementation.
• Coordinate with the Advancement Events & Stewardship team to plan donor cultivation and stewardship events.
• Host guests at university events.
• Partner with Marketing and Communications to produce published written materials and online content.
• Manage donor prospects in accordance with university protocols and record all contact in Raiser’s Edge.
• Oversee part-time work study positions.

Benefits

• Three different medical plans
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability coverage
• Long-term disability coverage
• Up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits (5% nonelective + dollar-for-dollar match up to 5%)
• 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents
• Subsidized transportation benefit
• Wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility
• Wide variety of campus events
• Generous holiday schedule
• Paid Holiday break closure in December
• Vacation leave
• Paid sick leave
• Paid community service leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director