Director of Development, Athletics

Details

Posted: 13-May-26

Location: Seattle, Washington

Type: Full-time

Salary: 100,000-115,000

Categories

Operations

Operations - Development

Sector

Collegiate Sports

Salary Details

Seattle University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, and not based on a candidate’s gender or any other protected status. Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package.

Required Education

4 Year Degree

Internal Number: req3108

Position Description The Director for Development, Athletics, is responsible for directing and accelerating philanthropic support and alumni cultivation for Seattle University Athletic program which aligns with Seattle University’s Reignited Strategic Directions. The Director for Development, Athletics, reports to the Associate Vice President (AVP) for Development in University Advancement and works closely with other University Advancement (UA) colleagues and campus partners including Corporate & Foundation Relations (CFR), Gift Planning, development officers, leaders in specific colleges and schools, and key faculty and staff.

Position Summary The Director for Development, Athletics, works closely with the Vice President Athletics and colleagues in UA to identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts of $100,000 and above, and provides meaningful stewardship experiences to honor donors’ philanthropy. The Director positions the department of Athletics for success in attaining its ambitious goals and aligning fundraising efforts to the program’s strategic priorities and Seattle University’s reignited strategic directions. The Director partners with the Athletic’s program VP to envision and carry out a comprehensive approach to securing the private support needed to achieve the Athletics program. The Director works with Department of Athletics staff and coaches providing leadership and support for their area’s fundraising efforts. The Director manages all program alumni relations efforts and strategic events appealing to alumni.

Job Functions

Major Gift Development: Donor Discovery, Engagement and Solicitation

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects in support of the SU Athletics, in close collaboration with the VP
• Athletics and University Advancement colleagues. Metrics include: oBuild, manage, and engage a 125-donor portfolio for current and future solicitations. oPrioritize personal visits with identified prospects. oMake 30 qualification face-to-face visits beyond those in the 125 portfolio. oMaintain a top 25 pool of prospective major gift donors who will be solicited in the next 12 – 18 months. oSubmit 12-20 major gift proposals each year.
• Lead, facilitate, and implement Athletics’ annual planning process in partnership with AVP Development and designees.
• Assist and position the VP Athletics to engage and solicit prospects and donors.
• Develop and implement a solicitation strategy for assigned top prospects, often in collaboration with UA colleagues, VP Athletics, and academic leaders.
• Coordinate fundraising efforts with the Gift Planning and Corporate & Foundation Relations (CFR) teams to strategize, solicit and steward prospects and donors.
• Collaborate with UA Annual Giving team on annual giving efforts.
• Prepare briefing documents for President and campus leadership, compile stewardship reports for major donors, and develop compelling written proposals, including proposals to organizational donors in coordination with CFR.
• Facilitate the participation of the VP Athletics, Staff and Coaches in university development and alumni activities.

Strategy and Planning for Major Gifts

• The Director develops, executes and tracks progress of the VP Athletics annual operating plan in coordination with the Dean and the Assistant Director, and the Offices of Alumni Engagement, Annual Giving, Gift Planning and Donor Stewardship.
• Partner closely with Corporate & Foundation Relations on proposal strategy and development.
• Respond strategically to evolving university priorities, keeping Athletics’ donors and fundraising volunteers engaged and inspired.
• Continuously learn about the University, SU Athletics programs and impact, community partners, faculty, and students to inform strategies and activities.

Athletics Program Partnership

• Participate in Athletics’ program leadership team meetings to gain a full understanding of the unit’s strategy and context for funding proposals.
• Support advisory boards regarding philanthropic opportunities and nominations.
• Manage solicitations for the VP’s Advisory Board.

Alumni Relations and Special Events

• Manage donor relations for Department of Athletics’ initiatives, ensuring that donors have a positive giving experience and engaging them in the program’s and other university events.
• In concert with UA Leadership Annual Gifts Officer Manage the Redhawk Club, annual SU Gives strategy and implementation, including identifying donor match, cultivating teams to solicit gifts, and contributing to messaging.
• With UA Stewardship team, coordinate with the Advancement Events & Stewardship team to plan donor cultivation and stewardship events, including developing invitations, programming, logistics, and briefs as appropriate. Host guests at university events.
• Partner with Marketing and Communications to produce published written materials and online content that engage donors and prospects in the work of the Athletics program.
• Manage donor prospects in accordance with the university’s prospect management protocols and record all contact with donors and prospects in Raiser’s Edge, including contacts by the VP Athletics, academic leadership and volunteers.

Managerial Functions

• Oversee part-time work study positions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of progressively responsible experience in higher education fundraising or comparably complex organization with an emphasis on cultivating and soliciting major gifts.
• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, with an emphasis on individual donor cultivation and solicitation experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of the value of business education.
• Knowledge of and ability to animate the Jesuit Catholic mission, vision, and values of Seattle University. Knowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding equity, diversity, inclusion, implicit bias, institutional racism, and other systemic oppressions.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, donors, and community leaders.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills.
• Results-oriented and collaborative, with the ability to organize multiple priorities concurrently.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software.
• Experience with donor management database systems, preferably Raiser’s Edge.
• Ability to travel and attend evening/weekend events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• Extensive experience with individual major gift fundraising.
• Prior experience with grant and/or proposal writing.
• Familiarity with gift planning.

University Advancement is committed to developing an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters a sense of belonging for all.

Application Instructions

Please attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified.

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About Seattle University

Founded in 1891, Seattle University is a Jesuit Catholic university located on a beautiful campus of more than 50 acres in the dynamic heart of Seattle. Our diverse and driven population is made up of more than 7,200 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within six schools and colleges. Seattle University is an equal opportunity employer. In support of its pursuit of academic and scholarly excellence, Seattle University is committed to creating a diverse community of students, faculty and staff that is dedicated to the fundamental principles of equal opportunity and treatment in education and employment regardless of age, color, disability, gender identity, national origin, political ideology, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The university encourages applications from, and nominations of, individuals who will further enrich the diversity of our educational community.

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