Job Summary/Basic Function:

This position reports to the Director of Athletic Development and is a front-line fundraiser for Davidson athletics. Responsibilities include supporting the goals of athletics in securing financial support annually for the division across expendable and endowed scholarships, team-based operating funds, capital gifts, coaching endowments and other operational needs for Davidson Athletics.

This position will manage between 150-175 athletic prospects through the stages of qualification, cultivation solicitation, and stewardship. This person will work with colleagues in Major Gifts, the Fund for Davidson as well as the Office of Parent Giving to maximize proposals to athletic initiatives at the $50,000 level and above. This person will also serve as the DAF liaison/contact to several athletic teams (via head coaches) and be responsible for managing all DAF-related projects pertaining to these athletic teams, from the annual fund level through the major gift level. This person may plan athletic alumni cultivation and solicitation events when deemed appropriate. This person will also support the DAF office by staffing events such as Tailgate of the Turf, Fast Break Club, and others throughout the academic year.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Bachelor's degree. Minimum one year of development or related work experience. Excellent oral and written communication skills are a must. Candidates must be extremely organized, highly motivated, capable of managing multiple projects at one time, and comfortable with frequent travel. Candidates must be able to understand and articulate the importance of NCAA Division I athletics at an academically challenging liberal arts college. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Advanced degree. Three-plus years of development or related work experience. A proven track record of soliciting and securing five-figure gift commitments and above. Passion and motivation to raise support for Division I athletics. 

Job Duties:

• Direct Solicitation/Stewardship: Responsible for managing 125 prospective donors, conducting 120 donor visits throughout the fiscal year, mostly in-person. The visits will focus on regions with a heavy athletic alumni base and athletics projects prospects. This role will work to identify and solicit donors for athletic projects including scholarships, team operating funds, capital projects, and other initiatives that arise. The Assistant Director will solicit five-figure gifts regularly, and collaborate on and/or directly solicit six-to-seven-figure gifts annually. This position will work with others to identify potential seven-figure prospects to endow scholarships and head coaching positions or provide leadership gifts for other projects. The Assistant Director will maintain a precise record of donor contact through Blackbaud CRM and prepare timely call reports.
• Attending and supporting events as needed: Fast Break Club, Tailgate on the Turf, Homecoming, Athletics Hall of Fame, Dr. Tom Scott Golf Tournament, coaches’ gatherings (basketball/football lunches, etc.).
• Serve as sport specific liaison for multiple athletic coaches, teams and alumni and parent prospects as well as volunteers. This position will also partner with the offices of planned giving, parent giving and the major gifts team on creating a pipeline of athletics campaign prospects and working to assist those colleagues with the resources needed to allow them the optimal ability to solicit and secure gifts which benefit the DAF’s annual and future campaign related fundraising goals.
• Athletic Related Communications and Social Media: Assist in the successful execution of the strategy/plan to reach annual and campaign goals related to athletics. Included in this plan will be contributing ideas for sport specific communications including alumni and parent focused letters for the assigned liaison teams. Social Media: The Associate director will be an active contributor for the content provided and the planned growth of a following for various social media outlets as they evolve. 

To apply, please go to https://employment.davidson.edu and submit an online application along with a cover letter and resume.  Review of applications will begin immediately.