Senior Associate Athletic Director of Development

George Mason University•Fairfax, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Associate Athletic Director of Development is the lead fundraising officer for Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) and is responsible for all development-focused programs, initiatives, and strategies designed to increase philanthropic support aligned with ICA and University goals and objectives. The position serves as a member of the ICA senior leadership team and partners with central Advancement and Alumni Relations, advancement colleagues, and ICA colleagues to advance philanthropic giving to key priorities through ongoing annual fundraising, alumni engagement, corporate and foundation relations, and major, principle, and planned giving. The Senior Associate Athletic Director of Development manages all development activity for ICA by undertaking the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects with the potential of making major gifts, those of at least $25,000, and principal gifts, those of $1 million or more to the priorities of the department. It also oversees all annual fund (i.e., Patriot Club) fundraising efforts and corresponding staff members. This position oversees the school’s capital campaign activities and ensures the alignment of the department and University capital campaign with any future comprehensive campaign on the part of the university. This is a position heavily focused on networking and building relationships and committed to the tracking of measures and metrics to build a pipeline of donors to support the aspirations of the Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics, head coaches, administrative support staff, student-athletes, and the University as a whole. This position is expected to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends, and to travel independently, both regional and domestic.

Requirements

Advanced degree in a related field and demonstrated successful professional advancement and/or fundraising-related experience, preferably in higher education; or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill, and abilities have been achieved
A demonstrated record of successful major gift solicitations and experience designing and executing donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies
Successful experience in planning, coordinating and conducting major capital or comprehensive campaign efforts.
Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting continuous deadlines
Demonstrated ability to identify, qualify, solicit, and steward major and principal gift donors
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including demonstrated writing and editing skills in preparing proposals and drafting related correspondence
Stellar relationship-building skills and ability to build rapport with internal and external stakeholders around innovative ideas and programs
A creative approach to involve and solicit major donor prospects and possess the ability to motivate
Demonstrated experience with personnel management
Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and experience with documenting appropriate information in a donor management database system
Valid driver's license: must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review.

Nice To Haves

Significant experience in major gifts fundraising, preferably in higher education
Prior fundraising experience in intercollegiate athletics or higher education development for capital projects, athletic development, and with comprehensive campaigns
Familiarity with CRM fundraising software
Demonstrate sound judgment necessary for interacting with donors, prospects, trustees, faculty, and staff
Possess understanding and the ability to articulate the accomplishments and goals of a complex organization

Responsibilities

Responsible for identifying, qualifying, stewarding, and soliciting a portfolio of 75-90 major gift prospects and donors, emphasizing new gifts and pledges of $25,000 and above totaling upwards of $1-$2 million annually
Actively engages each prospect in their portfolio to ensure prospect movement and portfolio penetration annually
Meets or exceeds all metrics and expectations set by Central Advancement
Supports successful execution of a comprehensive fundraising program that appropriately partners with and leverages resources from the central advancement team to accomplish objectives
Gather data, assess prospects, and develop strategies designed to realize individual prospects' current and lifetime giving potential
Develops strategies and implementation of major and principal gifts for corporate prospects for ICA, in concert with the central Advancement Corporate & Foundations team
As appropriate, is personally responsible for the direct solicitation of gifts and for preparing the Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics, Head Coaches, and other members of the ICA fundraising team and/or University to make solicitations
Coordinates the efforts of those who can assist in fundraising; tracks contacts, asks, and funds raised; drafts proposals and pledge agreements for potential donors; and proposes and coordinates appropriate cultivation and stewardship activities
Maintains consistent and appropriate contact with prospects, facilitate or make solicitations, and ensure effective stewardship
Completes contact reports for both the ICA database and the central development contact reporting system
Assists in overseeing ICA’s portfolio of donors and potential donors individually and through the team's management to maximize unit revenue from philanthropic giving
Attends meetings on campus surrounding major gifts and central development functions. Oversight of all annual fundraising efforts, including the Patriot Club, sport-specific giving, and other related booster organizations focused on raising funds, growing membership, executing events, engagement, and stewardship
Responsible for the direct solicitation of gifts and for preparing the Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics, Head Coaches, and other members of the ICA fundraising team and/or University to make solicitations for annual fund and sports-specific giving opportunities
Builds and maintains volunteer leadership through engagement with the Patriot Club Advisory Board and other alumni or external constituencies key to the department’s fundraising success
Identifies and/or develops creative engagement opportunities with donors, alumni, and the local community to broaden the base of support for the Athletics department and amplify its mission, vision, and overall brand
Displays good judgment and confidentiality
Travels as necessary for donor outreach and cultivation
Responsible for setting goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with the university’s plans and vision and communicate them to subordinates
Organizing workflow and ensuring that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks
Monitoring employee productivity and providing constructive feedback and coaching
Receiving complaints and resolving problems
Maintaining timekeeping and personnel records
Passing on information from upper management to employees and vice versa
Preparing and submitting performance evaluations
Hiring and training new employees
Ensuring adherence to legal and university policies and procedures and undertaking disciplinary actions if the need arises
Performs other related duties as assigned