Director of Development for Athletics

As Director of Development for Athletics, they are responsible for the development, implementation, growth and evaluation of a comprehensive athletic fundraising plan at Hobart and William Smith. The Director will c ultivate, solicit, and steward an assigned group of leadership annual giving prospects to increase support of operational and budget-relieving funds for Athletics priorities. As part of a team of colleagues responsible for raising gifts from leadership donors, this person will be a valuable contributor to team goals. The Director will partner with the Executive Director of Annual and Athletics Giving to oversee all aspects of our sport-specific fundraising, including the annual Athletic Day of Donors Giving Day. In addition, the Director will manage and implement various sport-specific events and coordinate volunteer activities for athletic prospects. This position will serve as the primary liaison to the Athletics Department and have daily contact with the Office of Advancement and Athletics colleagues, including the Vice President for Advancement, Athletics Director, coaches, the frontline fundraising team and Advancement Services, as well as students, alumni, parents and friends. This position will work to broaden support for the Colleges and Athletics funding priorities. They will represent the Office of Advancement and the Colleges in a highly professional manner. RESPONSIBILITIES: Leadership Gift Fundraising (50%): Develop relationships with an identified pool of prospects on behalf of the Colleges with a long-view objective of creating and deepening philanthropic commitment to HWS. Initiate dialogue with assigned households in their portfolio to determine inclination, interests and near-term capacity, using in-person visits, phone, email, social media, video, and other creative outreach approaches. Solicit prospects using a range of methods for gifts at the $1,000 annual level and higher, with a goal of increasing athletic giving. Utilize ongoing activities on campus, in the regions, through affinities, or through communications outreach online, and assist in creating personalized engagement opportunities and relevant content for constituents in the portfolio. Collaborate with a broad range of staff-Annual Giving, Alumni Relations, Stewardship, Gift Officers and HWS faculty and staff-to ensure effective partnership and maximize potential toward achieving fundraising goals. Create an annual work plan with goals and metrics for activity and review it with the supervisor. Measures of success will include goals for the number of visits, contacts (through phone, email and social media) and new engagement with the Colleges. Individual performance metrics will be set annually based on the portfolio assigned. It will include such measures as the number of substantive contacts, number of new and increased gifts, number of first-time donors, total dollars raised, and number of referrals to the Major Gifts program. Sport-Specific Fundraising (25%): In conjunction with the Executive Director, create, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive sport-specific solicitation plan, including our annual Athletic Day of Donors, to increase dollars and strengthen alumni participation. The plan will include audience segmentation, timing, messages, and goals by segment. Manage the review and approval process from stakeholders and signers for mail, email, and other messaging such as Thankview. Assist in the design and help produce collateral printed and online materials as required. Develop, implement, test, and evaluate sport-specific segmentation strategies to increase donor retention, upgrades, and acquisition. Involve the team in strategic discussions for review and adjustment of strategy. Create and maintain documentation and processes to standardize work within the department. Volunteer/Event Coordination (25%): Maintain current lists of donors to athletics, the Statesmen Athletic Association and the Heron Society. Communicate regularly with the Executive Director of Annual and Athletic Giving, the frontline fundraising team, and the Executive Director of Alumni Relations to cultivate new names for consideration for membership in these groups. Support the Athletic Director, the Statesmen Athletic Association and the Heron Society by helping to manage each group and providing volunteer committee members with regular and timely communication of fundraising, participation, stewardship and engagement progress and results. Recruit and train additional volunteers to assist with athletic fundraising for Athletics Day of Donors. These volunteers range from alumni, parents, coaches, student-athletes, faculty and staff. Coordinate and collaborate all athletic fundraising activities, events and prospect management with the Vice President of Advancement, key Advancement staff and the Athletic Director. Attend Reunion, Homecoming and Family Weekend, Statesmen Athletic Association and Heron Society Board meetings, and various alumni/ae events. OTHER INFORMATION This administrative exempt position is full-time, 12-month, benefit-eligible. Normal work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the academic year, with a possible shortened work week during the scheduled summer hours. Annual salary is $75,000. A Bachelor's Degree is required. Three to five years in fundraising or sales experience preferred. Strong organizational and communication skills and a demonstrated ability to work with and motivate volunteers are required. Computer skills are required. The ability to work independently and within a team environment is essential. Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships within our strong and collegial team is essential for the candidate's and team's success. Willingness and ability to travel and to work nights and weekends, as required. Hobart and William Smith Colleges are committed to providing a non-discriminatory and harassment-free educational, living and working environment for all members of the HWS community, including students, faculty, staff, volunteers, and visitors. HWS prohibits discrimination and harassment in their programs and activities on the basis of age, color, disability, domestic violence victim status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected under the law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault, and other forms of sexual misconduct including stalking and intimate partner violence, and gender-based harassment that does not involve conduct of a sexual nature.

Created: 2024-10-19