"Assistant Director of Development/Catamount Club - 251078"

Assistant Director of Development/Catamount Club - 251078

Western Carolina University

Department: Office, Assistant VC of Development

About WCU:

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary:

The primary location of this position is on-site at the Cullowhee, NC campus. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

Are you passionate about collegiate athletics and inspired by the power of philanthropy to elevate the student-athlete experience? Western Carolina University invites applications for a dynamic and driven individual to join our team as an Assistant Director of Development/Catamount Club. This is your opportunity to make a direct and lasting impact on WCU Athletics by helping to shape the future of our programs and the lives of our student-athletes.

Reporting to the Director of the Catamount Club, this position plays a visible, hands-on role within both the Athletics Department and the Division of Advancement. The Assistant Director is responsible for fundraising, donor engagement, and events management to support WCU Athletics and to meet annual development goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects as part of the Athletics Development team.
• Manage a donor portfolio, with emphasis on new member identification, renewals, and upgrades.
• Primarily staff for execution of the annual Greek Challenge
• Support marketing and promotional strategies to grow the Catamount Club.
• Collaborate with staff to execute special events such as the Catamount Golf Tour and athletics gala.
• Support game-day donor hospitality for football, basketball, and baseball.
• Collaborate with staff in support of the donor parking and ticket priority processes.
• Work closely with the Assistant Director of Annual Giving for Student and Young Alumni Engagement to execute the Student Catamount Club initiative.
• Participate in student-athlete alumni engagement and philanthropic opportunities.
• Execute regional prospecting, especially within the Southeast.
• Carry out other duties as assigned by the Director of the Catamount Club

This position is ideal for a self-starter who thrives in a team-oriented environment and believes in the transformative potential of college athletics. If youre ready to build something meaningful at a place where student success and school spirit run deep-join us.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position:

• Strong communication, customer service, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and donor database systems.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Interested candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States of America without the need for employer sponsorship or any other type of immigration-related assistance.
• Bachelors degree required. Candidate must have previous experience in Fundraising, preferably in Collegiate Athletics. This position involves local and occasional out of state travel. Flexibility, including necessity of frequent night and weekend work, is required.

Position Type:

Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:

To be considered, you must apply online.

Please attach a cover letter, current resume, and a list of three professional references (including complete contact information) to complete the application.

For questions and additional information, please contact James Hogan at jhogan@email.wcu.edu or (828)227-3037.