"Development Officer, Athletics"

JOB SUMMARY

The Development Officer – Athletics is a frontline fundraising role responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of annual and individual gift donors. This position collaborates on prospect engagement events and manages a portfolio of 100+ donors and engage colleagues to move donors through a pipeline from annual to individual giving. The Development Officer - Athletics helps support and advance fundraising efforts that directly benefit Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Donor Management: Responsible for managing a portfolio of approximately 100-125 annual and individual gift donors and personally conducts 120-150, high-value personal visits annually with prospects for annual and individual giving with an emphasis on donors interested in supporting NIL initiatives
• Strategic Planning and Execution: Helps to identify athletics and NIL major gift and planned giving prospects within personal portfolio and collaborates with other fundraising units to maximize gift potential; utilizes fundraising strategies and method or activities to ensure proper acknowledgement, recognition, and stewardship of donors
• Relationship Building: Identifies, cultivates and solicits philanthropic support by developing and maintaining relationships with individuals including alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and other key personnel; fosters positive and enduring relationships that produce reciprocal benefits; builds working relationships with and serves as a development liaison to other fundraising units
• Representation and Networking: Serves as development representative at athletics-based events, meetings, etc., related to donor engagement as applicable, including but not limited to: The Billiken Golf Classic, Billiken Hall of Fame, Billiken Club Holiday Party, and various athletic alumni events
• Communication, Documentation, and Compliance: Regularly updates database systems with prospects and projections; analyzes weekly fundraising reports; in partnership with Gift Processing, ensures all commitments follow gift guidelines and are tracked and received in a timely manner
• Travel: Travels locally and out of town to cultivate, solicit and steward relationships
• Performs other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Willingness to learn and adapt to new concepts, strategies and tools in the field of fundraising
• Demonstrated passion for the organization's cause and a genuine interest in fundraising and development work
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills
• Basic organizational and time management skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Basic networking and relationship building skills
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to engage with donors and stakeholders in a friendly and professional manner

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree
• One to three years of experience in fundraising, development, non-profit organizations or a related field
• Valid drivers license required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters Degree or equivalent work experience
• Previous experience in intercollegiate athletics and an understanding of NCAA rules
• Experience using database management software (e.g. Ticketmaster, Banner, SLATE, etc.)