Senior Director of Development and Athletics Initiatives

Santa Clara University•Santa Clara, CA

7d•$129,000 - $161,265•Hybrid

About The Position

University Relations builds Santa Clara University’s excellence and character by strengthening relations with alumni, parents, and friends of the University, raising public awareness, and increasing private philanthropy, which supports the University’s growth and reputation. With 20 NCAA Division I sports, Athletics is an integral part of SCU's 2020 Strategic Plan and is a campaign priority. Fundraising efforts are focused on building a nationally prominent athletics program that dramatically enhances awareness of Santa Clara University, drives school spirit and alumni pride to new levels. There is also a focus on providing student-athletes with a meaningful, challenging, and rewarding academic and athletics experience. Reporting to the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development (SAAD), the Senior Director of Development and Athletics Initiatives (SDD) plays a critical role in Santa Clara University's efforts to secure resources for its strategic funding priorities and for one of the campaign’s priorities – Athletics.

Requirements

Knowledge of higher education advancement.
Demonstrated understanding of annual, major gift, and planned giving programs, with an emphasis on personal solicitations.
Working knowledge of administration and program development and the best practices and trends associated with implementation of athletics broadly.
Experience in developing and maintaining ongoing external relationships.
Knowledge of and commitment to University athletics and fostering the student-athlete experience.
Experience with and understanding of databases, pipelines, performance tracking and other metric measurement processes.
Understanding and appreciation of the mission of Santa Clara University and the vision and values of a Jesuit Catholic educational institution.
Must be a goal-oriented and self-motivated individual who can demonstrate accountability, initiative, creativity, and focus in a rapidly changing and intellectually stimulating environment.
Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate, build alliances, and achieve results within a population that may possess competing interests, opinions, and /or expectations.
Demonstrate strong active listening skills and ability to negotiate positive outcomes.
Positive attitude, sense of humor, and flexibility.
Proficiency in using a fundraising database (or similar).
Required to have a valid driver’s license and personal transportation vehicle available for frequent travel to business meetings (mileage is reimbursed under federal guidelines).
Demonstrated level of comfort working and communicating with top executives, community leaders and/or University leadership. Ability to motivate, build long-term relationships with and gain the respect of internal and external clients.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of internal and external constituents.
Demonstrated ability to identify and implement major gift strategic planning, and solicitation strategies in support of strategic initiatives, specifically athletics.
Verifiable track record of soliciting individuals/organizations for financial investments and the ability to articulate and advocate a strong case for support.
Demonstrated ability to manage time and workload to multitask and achieve goals in a deadline-driven environment.
Demonstrated genuine appetite to contribute to a collaborative, ethical, and professional team environment.
Ability to work on the road and/or work at odd hours and on weekends.
Demonstrated ability to multitask in a deadline-driven environment with a healthy attitude to attaining goals; to work independently and as a member of a staff team; to exercise sound judgment and discretion; to promote collaboration.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Valid driver’s license.
Minimum 8+ years of progressively responsible fundraising experience and/or leadership experience in higher education, with extensive experience in major gifts and athletic programs.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of engagement and solicitation strategies for qualified major gift prospects (between $100,000 and $5,000,000), and oversee the implementation and personally drive the execution of said strategies.
Work closely with the Director of Athletics and the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development to increase philanthropic support to identified Athletics funding priorities.
Collaborate with other development officers and directors of external relations, academic leaders, program directors and other University administrators, and volunteers to develop multi-interest proposals and promote organized and strategic outreach.
Develop and implement a comprehensive prospecting plan for University alumni and friends, including identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gift donors, specifically for athletics.
Aggressively identify and formally qualify new prospects and existing donors through personal visits, phone calls, correspondence, events and University activities to meet fundraising objectives.
Manage a portfolio of current and new/discovery prospects, seeking to grow the pool of engaged alumni, parents, friends and corporate partners.
Incorporate planned giving alternatives as necessary and appropriate. Coordinate planned giving requests.
Meet dollar and activity metrics as set with the SAAD.
Interact with deans, directors and/or University administrators in the form of fundraising strategy development, meeting and event attendance and written briefings as they pertain to assigned prospects and prospect development.
Engage prospects and donors through athletics event invitations and attendance.
Produce well-written, accurate, and timely follow-up and related correspondence such as comprehensive proposals, related budgets, contact reports, cover and thank you letters, e-mails, reports, and briefings in support of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding assigned prospects.
Track and record activities as they relate to assigned prospects using the CRM database (CLARA) constituent management software and report regularly to SAAD.
Collaborate with the Office of Athletics and the Office of Development, sharing information and with colleagues in a respectful and professional manner; contributing to a healthy and positive work environment.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of Santa Clara University's mission.
Provide work direction to shared administrative assistant and/or student worker.
Recommend initiatives and implement changes to improve quality and services.
Identify and determine the cause of problems; develop and present recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices.
Maintain contact with external constituents and solicit feedback for improved University relations.
Maximize productivity through use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives.
Research and develop resources that create timely and efficient workflow.
Prepare progress reports; inform supervisor of project status; and deviations from goals. Ensure completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of all operational functions.
Prepare and submit reports as requested and required.
Develop and implement guidelines to support the functions of the unit.