The Director of Athletics Philanthropy will be responsible for the  development, implementation, growth and evaluation of the fundraising plan for Athletics at Goucher College. This position serves as a gift officer for Goucher College, to increase support of operational and budget relieving funds for Athletics priorities to enhance student life. The Director will identify, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio no less than 75 alumni, parents and friends for Athletics. The Director will work with the senior leadership team of Advancement (AVP for Advancement Services; Director of Government, Corporate & Foundation Grants; Director of Major & Planned Giving; and the Executive Director of Alumnae/i Engagement) as well as the Athletic Director to coordinate and plan fundraising activities and leadership solicitations. In this role, the Director will oversee and implement gift recognition and stewardship as well as event planning and the coordination of volunteer activities for leadership and major gift solicitations. This position will serve as the primary liaison to the Athletics Department and have daily contact with the Office of Advancement and Athletics colleagues including the Athletics Director, coaches, major gifts officers and advancement services, as well as students, alumni, parents and friends. This position will work closely with the Annual Giving Team, the Athletic Director, the staff of the Departments of Athletics and Student Affairs to broaden support for the College and Athletics funding priorities and the athletic giving club. 

Education:

Required:  Bachelor's Degree

Professional Experience:

Required:

• Three years of fundraising, sales, or related experience required.
• Must be available to work nights and weekends as required.
• Travel will be required in this position

Preferred Experience:

• Masters Degree preferred. Five or more years of fundraising, sales, or related experience.
• Experience in personal solicitations as well as working directly with volunteers. 
• Experience in a higher education environment and/or former college athlete or athletics fundraising experience; also related experience for those who have made their mark in other fields that draw on the same core competencies.
• Familiarity as well as any previous experience with Raiser's Edge or other fundraising CRM are highly desirable. The preferred candidate will possess the ability to develop effective cultivation and solicitation strategies that result in financial support to Athletics and the College.

Computer Skills: 

• Proficiency in the use of web-based applications, email usage, and Microsoft Office, specifically Word and Excel; ability to work with virtual technology (e.g., Zoom, Teams) to participate in web-based training, attend webinars, and attend virtual meetings; and a willingness to learn new technologies.

Other Skills, Abilities, Qualifications:  

• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism and a solid work ethic, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently.
• On a regular and continuous basis, exercise administrative judgment and assume responsibility for decisions, consequences, and results having an impact on people, costs, and/or quality of service within the functional area.
• Exercise a superior level of customer service and demonstrate ability to connect with people of diverse backgrounds is an integral part of this position.
• Able and committed to supporting diversity and camaraderie among colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and function in a fast-paced environment; proven organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Must be a highly motivated, goal oriented, self-starter, and have excellent written, oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage and plan consistent, effective and efficient business travel nationally.
• Frequently exchange non-routine information using tact, confidentiality, and persuasion, as appropriate. Maximize these skills to express, both orally and in writing, the mission of the College and the fundraising goals of the campus, especially as they relate to the Department of Athletics.

Major Gift Fundraising:

• Plan, implement and manage a primary portfolio of no less than 75-100 prospects with major,  leadership,  and annual giving capacities.
• Responsible for approximately 75 visits (virtual or in person) per year and will develop and implement appropriate cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies in accordance with institutional standards and in collaboration with other Advancement Offices.
• Solicit gifts in support of offsetting Goucher College operations and Department of Athletics priorities including capital, scholarship, endowment and annual fund needs.
• Represent the case for support of Goucher student life to a wide-ranging constituency of alumni, parents, and friends with interest in Athletics.
• Prepare proposals, solicitation letters and other cultivation and stewardship materials for prospects and donors, in accordance with institutional standards and in collaboration with other Advancement offices.
• Work directly with the Vice President for Advancement and the Athletic Director to establish priorities within the Athletics Department for fundraising and create a plan to elevate philanthropy to larger constituency including messaging and marketing materials as needed.
• Coordinate and collaborate all fundraising activities, events and prospect management with Vice President, institutional Advancement staff and the Athletic Director.
• Identify three key athletic events annually for the Vice President of Advancement, Vice President of Student Affairs and Athletic Director to cross-promote, and foster engagement and participation in athletics to the Goucher community - students, alumni, trustees, and friends. 

Volunteer Coordination:

• Maintain current lists of members for the athletic giving club, the Blue & Gold Advisory Group. Communicate regularly with the Director of Development for Major & Planned Gifts, other major gift staff, and Executive Director of Alumnae/i Engagement to cultivate new names for consideration for membership in this group.
• Manage donor outreach and stewardship for the athletic giving club, the Blue & Gold Advisory Group, including sending each Advisory Board Member monthly prospect engagement lists.
• Support the Athletic Director and the athletic giving club, the Blue & Gold Advisory Group, by providing volunteer committee members with regular and timely communication of fundraising, participation, and engagement progress and results.
• The Director will actively collaborate with colleagues throughout Goucher College, to include major gift officers, the Athletics staff and coaches to ensure forward momentum, strategic planning and implementation to result in the continued growth and success of athletics fundraising and associated activities.

Departmental Goals & Communication:

• Demonstrate the formal and informal departmental goals, standards, policies, and procedures for Advancement and the Department of Athletics and maintain familiarity with other departments within the College.
• Participate in all regularly scheduled development office and major gift staff meetings, summer Advancement, and institutional development and training sessions to stay current with functional protocols in tracking prospect development and reporting.
• Communicate frequently and consistently with the Vice President for Advancement and the Athletic Director, and report on internal goals, opportunities, and challenges to meet annual targets.
• Communicate and meet with the coaches and staff regularly (e.g., bi-weekly) and at the request of the Athletic Director.
• Participate on the Leadership Team in collaboration with other senior members of the team to establish goals and priorities for the Office of Advancement; assist in the development of agenda items for Advancement Office staff meetings, stay well-informed about the College's overall fundraising strategies and activities, and attend College events (e.g., alumnae/i weekend, lectures, sporting events).
• Participate in college community volunteer opportunities. Work and engage members of the greater Goucher College community, to include faculty, parents, staff,  students, and friends, while remaining sensitive to the inter-relationship of both people and functions within the departments.

Goucher College is always on the lookout for top talent, resourceful, innovative, and dedicated individuals who will keep the College at the forefront of extraordinary education. As one of the nation's most progressive, innovative institutions of higher learning, we offer outstanding professional advantages, generous benefits, excellent perks, and a great work location!