"Associate Athletic Director, Advancement – Major Gifts"

Job Details

The Associate Athletic Director, Advancement – Major Gifts, is a senior leadership role within Hampton University Athletics, responsible for developing, managing, and executing a comprehensive major gift fundraising strategy. This position is focused on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects to secure significant philanthropic support for the athletic department’s priorities, including scholarships, facility enhancements, and programmatic initiatives. The Associate AD will work closely with the Director of Athletics, the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Advancement, university advancement leadership, coaches, and external stakeholders to achieve ambitious fundraising goals and elevate the profile of Hampton University Athletics.

Examples of Duties

• Lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects and donors, managing a dynamic portfolio to maximize philanthropic support for Hampton University Athletics.
• Develop and implement strategic fundraising plans to secure major gifts ($25,000 and above) for key athletic department priorities, including scholarships, capital projects, and endowments.
• Collaborate with the Director of Athletics, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Advancement, university advancement, coaches, and other internal partners to align fundraising efforts with departmental and institutional goals.
• Organize and execute targeted donor engagement activities, including personal visits, events, and recognition opportunities to strengthen donor relationships and encourage continued support.
• Prepare compelling proposals, presentations, and communications tailored to major gift prospects, ensuring alignment with donor interests and university priorities.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of donor interactions, gift agreements, and stewardship activities using the university’s advancement database.
• Monitor fundraising progress, analyze results, and provide regular reports to athletic and university leadership.
• Represent Hampton University Athletics at university, community, and external events to enhance visibility and philanthropic engagement.
• Supervise and mentor advancement staff or volunteers assigned.
• Embody and promote the core values of Hampton University: integrity, respect, decency, dignity, and responsibility.

Typical Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in fundraising, advancement, or development, preferably in intercollegiate athletics or higher education.
• Demonstrated success in securing major gifts and managing donor relationships, with a proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals.

Supplemental Information

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse constituencies including alumni, donors, corporate and community partners, coaches, and student-athletes.
• Experience developing and executing strategic fundraising plans and managing a portfolio of major gift prospects.
• Knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations, and a commitment to compliance.
• Proficiency with donor management systems (e.g., Banner, Razor’s Edge) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and travel as required for donor cultivation and events.