Assistant Director, Athletic Annual Giving and Events

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuit university with a 200-acre campus located along the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprised of approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students pursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School of Engineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, and School of Education and Human Development. As an expression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values.

Job Description:

Division: Advancement

Department: Athletics Development

Job summary: Fairfield University is seeking a dynamic Assistant Director of Athletic Development for Annual Giving and Events/Assistant Athletics Director. The Assistant Director of Athletic Annual Giving and Events is responsible for all aspects of current-use fundraising and events for development operations. This individual will report to the AVP for Athletic Development and will execute a comprehensive athletics annual giving program and event schedule by utilizing strategic planning to grow sport-specific funds. Working closely with the Associate Director of Athletic Development and athletics staff and coaches, this individual will engage with a broad range of constituents including alumni, parents, and friends in building a supportive community of donors with the intention of meeting/exceeding annual philanthropic, engagement and participation goals.

The Assistant Director will manage a portfolio of Monarch Member donors and support the athletic department's initiatives and goals. This position will work directly all men’s and women’s Friends Groups to support the development and implementation strategies to achieve individual team fundraising goals through annual giving initiatives and events. The Assistant Director is also responsible for key fundraising events which include, but not limited to Friends Events, Golf Outings, Giving days and the Fairfield Athletics Hall of Fame. The Assistant Director for Annual Giving and Events will coordinate all efforts with the Athletic Marketing, University Marketing, Sports Information and Compliance teams.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Bachelor's Degree required.

Experience: At least 2-4 years' experience in annual fundraising, sales, volunteer management, event planning or related experience. Athletic-related work experience preferred. Excellent written, interpersonal and communications skills required. Additional desired qualifications would include thorough knowledge of athletics and Division I, marketing, public relations, and volunteer management.
Strong organizational skills with proven ability to work well under pressure and to handle multiple prospects and requests concurrently, while meeting multiple deadlines.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Experience soliciting and securing gift commitments $1,000-$50,000
  
  
• Experience creating annual giving plans and Giving Day Challenges
  
  
• Experience making cold calls and other introductory contacts to secure appointments with volunteers and prospects.
  
  
• Knowledge of the creative process in designing marketing materials
  
  
• Anthology experience for Events and Giving Days
  
  
• Razors edge and NXT experience
  
  
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
  
  
• Must excel at writing, interviewing and listening.
  
  
• Ability to effectively build and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with internal and external constituents.
  
  
• Goal driven and self-motivated.
  
  
• Able to work well independently and with others.
  
  
• Commitment to the mission of Fairfield University.
  
  
• Ability to effectively communicate Fairfield University’s mission and case for philanthropic support. Experience in higher education fundraising is preferred.
  
  

WORK CONDITIONS: Travel 5% or more per month to achieve goals is required, which involves local, regional and some overnight travel and driving at night. Attendance at evening and weekend events required. Valid driver’s license required.

Essential Functions:

Annual Giving (55%)

In collaboration with the Fairfield Fund, create and implement a comprehensive athletics annual giving program using targeted strategies to grow donor participation numbers and philanthropic giving totals.

Work collaboratively with team members to ensure that solicitation and engagement strategies are aligned with the departmental goals.

Maintain an active donor portfolio of Monarch Members

Create and execute Giving Tuesday and StaGiving Day.

Ensure consistent communication with the Associate Director of Athletics/Communications & Content Strategy and University Marketing related to fundraising initiatives, events and email communication.

Serve as primary development liaison to the head coaches. Partner with coaches to leverage their networks and align sport-specific revenue goals with clear solicitation messaging and timely appeals; support coaches in revenue generation and engagement initiatives including special events and alumni functions.

In collaboration with Fairfield Annual Giving team, develop, establish and implement an effective engagement and stewardship plan to thank athletic annual donors in a timely and meaningful way. This includes monthly stewardship emails, the use of Fast Access and the production of thank you letters.

Collaborate with Fairfield annual giving team to create, segment, and execute a multi-platform, athletics-focused solicitation strategy (email marketing, social media, texting, etc).

Provide weekly financial reports to Assistant Vice Presidents and Associate Director

Meet and exceed athletics annual giving revenue and participation goals.

Friends of Fairfield Events (35%)

Work with Friends of Fairfield athletic groups to create events to engage and educate athletic alumni, parents and friends.

Execute special athletic events, such as the Athletics Golf Tournaments and the Hall of Fame aimed at assisting with donor engagement and donor stewardship initiatives.

Work with Coaches to create Zooms for Preseason and Post season updates

Update and maintain Razors Edge with interactions, opportunities, plans, and outcomes to produce comprehensive understanding to be use in identifying prospect stages and reassignments.

Athletic Development Support (10%)

Maintain current best practices for athletic development, and have a visionary approach to creating campaigns, mini-campaigns, micro-philanthropy, social media, and stewardship activities.

Update and maintain donor database with interactions, opportunities, plans, and outcomes to produce comprehensive understanding to be use in identifying prospect stages and reassignments.

Perform other duties as assigned by the AVP of Athletic Development for Development.

Duties may be changed and/or be added at any time.

Marginal Functions:
Participate in all required university fundraising and advancement protocols including such activities as organizational meetings, retreats, annual planning, goals setting and reporting.

Maintain current best practices for athletic development, and have a visionary approach to creating campaigns, mini-campaigns, micro-philanthropy, social media, and stewardship activities. Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice President for Athletics Development.

This position is based at Fairfield University’s Fairfield, CT campus and is not eligible for immigration assistance.

Category:

Advancement - Admin

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, committed to excellence through diversity, and, in this spirit, particularly welcomes applications from women, persons of color, Veterans, and members of historically underrepresented groups. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with a disability.

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