Director of Development (Athletics) - St. Mary's University

The Director of Development in athletics is responsible for initiating and managing relationships with St. Mary's community of alumni, foundations, corporations, and other constituencies using best-practice methodologies for prospect discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. This position reports to and participates with leadership in the overall planning, integration, and oversight of institutional development programs and serves as a resource primarily to Athletics but may serve all University areas as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Holds face-to-face appointments with 'Rattler Nation' members, alumni and friends, with an emphasis on gift revenue
• Assists in formulation of plans to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects among Rattler Nation members, alumni groups and friends
• Works with Athletics to help support certain fundraising events (including annual golf tournaments)
• Executes, plans and implements strategies to maximize the flow of resources to the campus from alumni and friends, with an emphasis on major gifts
• Works in close coordination with leadership in all academic areas to develop and increase philanthropic investments in the University's annual and campaign funding priorities
• Participates in various functions with students, faculty, alumni, and friends
• Assists in formulation of plans to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects among alumni groups and friends
• Manages assigned prospect portfolio and meets expectations for donor interactions (metrics)
• Develops and executes creative and unique plans to engage alumni in the fundraising process
• Conducts fundraising presentations and writes funding proposals for the St. Mary's community of alumni and other constituencies
• Solicits annual, capital campaign, and planned contributions from Rattler Nation members, alumni and friends
• Coordinates and executes school/program/campaign based fundraising events
• Coordinates the transmission and acknowledgement of charitable gifts received with the offices of Advancement Services and Stewardship
• Provides and submits reports of all meaningful contact with University prospects and donors.
• Performs other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college/university required
• 3 years of experience in development activities and organizational fundraising or related fund activities; preferably documented success in major gift fundraising/closing is preferable.
• Must clear and maintain a favorable background investigation and clearance
• Must have valid driver's license, motor vehicle liability insurance and personal injury insurance; or have a self-reliant source of transportation to conduct business on a daily basis
• Must be able to travel and work extended hours or weekends during peak times and for special programs, projects, and events
• Must have the ability to demonstrate intermediate to advanced skills in MS Office and Office 365 (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook and PowerPoint) including experience with virtual platforms such as Zoom. Experience with Banner, ARGOS, Raiser's Edge or other similar programs that support fund raising efforts, preferable
• Must possess strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication with the ability to communicate effectively in an appropriate manner with diverse populations, the University community, and the public. Must have a high level of attention to detail and be responsive to the needs of others
• Must be able to demonstrate strong analytical skills for determining information needs, creating work flow processes and timelines, and the development of reports that provide comprehensive endowment fund information
• Must be able to design, plan and coordinate fund raising activities and special events generally acquired through experience or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.
• Ability to think independently and take initiative to plan and implement effective partnerships and relationships that sustain existing gifts and generate new gifts, including prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Ability to stay informed of activities of the University in order to effectively articulate and incorporate relevant information in an oral and a written case for support
• Ability to articulate and implement knowledge of the fundraising process
• Ability to initiate effective and direct contact with all donors in support the University's mission, as well as establish and maintain strong relationships through individualized stewardship activities
• Ability to interface frequently with administrators, faculty, staff, students, donors, trustees and high-profile individuals in the community; Must be highly responsive to the needs of others
• Ability to think independently and take initiative to plan and implement effective partnerships and relationships that sustain existing gifts and generate new gifts, including prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Ability to stay abreast on all matters and activities of the University in order to effectively articulate and incorporate relevant information in an oral and a written case for support
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records and reports, as well as maintain confidentiality of all records and information
• Ability to communicate and interact in an effective and appropriate manner with diverse populations, the University community, and the public
• Ability to work in an environment that is busy, fast paced, goal and deadline driven
• Ability to write error-free correspondence and funding proposals
• Bilingual Preferred (English/Spanish with the ability to understand and to make one's self understood to Spanish speaking individuals)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Working conditions are in an office environment and university campus setting. Must be able to move across the university campus to conduct day to day business.
• While performing this role, the employee will be regularly required to sit, walk, and stand; talk and hear, both in person and by telephone; and use hands repetitively to operate standard office equipment; and occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently communicates with others using approved technological resources; must be able to exchange accurate information through designated systems within a timely manner.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

St. Mary's University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages all qualified candidates apply.