Associate Director of Athletics Development

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000

Position Summary

The Athletics Development team is responsible for fundraising, marketing, data management, and stewardship for more than 9,000 active Columbia athletics alumni. The Athletics Development team supports the fundraising efforts for 31 sports programs, 40+ club sports as well as capital and endowment initiatives as defined by the Director of Athletics. The five-person team reports up through the Columbia College/Arts and Sciences fundraising unit and works collaboratively to help donors meet their philanthropic goals. Lastly, the unit supports more than 30 alumni events each year in coordination with varsity sports programs.

Reporting directly to the Director of Athletics Development, the Associate Director for Athletics Development oversees a robust portfolio of prospects. The Associate Director also works with the Director of Athletics Development on giving and relationship strategies for all internal and external stakeholders. The Associate Director will lead several fundraising initiatives outlined by the Director of Athletics Development and the Director of Athletics.

Responsibilities

• The Associate Director will staff a portfolio of roughly 175 prospects, with a goal of making 100 - 150 visits and 100 - 150 solicitations per year. The range of solicitations will include annual fund, leadership annual fund ($10K+), major gifts, planned gifts, and other special projects as assigned.
• Along with the Development Officer and the Annual Fund Programs staff, the Associate Director will help create fundraising dollar and donor goals and strategies, coordinate plans for direct mail, telemarketing, and e-mail staff on an ongoing basis and monitor incoming gifts, and ensure that proper stewardship and pledge follow-up occurs.
• Develops and executes targeted strategies to increase alumni and parent giving with a gift-level concentration of $100,000 to $250,000.
• Supervises the Assistant Director of the Athletics Annual Fund.
• Supports the Director of Athletics Development around major gift solicitations and assists with the Giving Day strategy and implementation.
• Assists with creating, tracking, and reporting fundraising dollar and donor goals annually.
• Manages the solicitation and stewardship program for the OneROAR Leadership Committee.
• Assists in the management of communication strategies.
• Staffs Athletics special events, including volunteer and alumni engagement events, end-of-year banquets, Homecoming, and other ad hoc Athletics events.
• Provides support for periodic Athletics Leadership Committee meetings.
• Performs special projects, strategic initiatives teamwork, and related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree or equivalent is required, along with 3-5 years of related experience. A cover letter and resume must be submitted with the application.
• Must be able to creatively and sensitively approach brand management for a highly prestigious educational institution and Athletics program.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office required.
• Must be detail-oriented, use excellent independent judgment and initiative, and have a proactive customer service attitude when interacting with alumni and other constituencies.
• Ability to work in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.
• Must possess the ability to work with changing priorities and multiple projects.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including a high level of attention to detail and active listening skills.
• Must be able to problem-solve and troubleshoot, in addition to the ability to work independently in a dynamic team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively partner with a diverse group of administrators and academic leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with all levels of management, both internally and externally, be flexible in nature, and have a sound judgment with a collaborative style that fosters teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization.
• Must have a passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality.
• Able and willing to travel; some evening and weekend work will be required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working in a fundraising environment as well as experience in/passion for collegiate athletics is preferred.
• Prior knowledge and experience with the Advance database application preferred.
• Prior experience at an academic research institution is desirable.

Other Requirements

• Subject to business needs, the Office of Alumni and Development supports a hybrid work arrangement for this position. Options will be discussed during the interview process.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.