Assistant/Associate/Senior Associate Athletic Director for Championship Resources

$19,000 - $22,000/Yr

Unclassified - Florence, AL

Full-time - Mid Level

Florence, AL

About the position

The Assistant/Associate/Senior Associate Athletic Director for Championship Resources at the University of North Alabama is a pivotal role within the Division of Athletics, primarily focused on fundraising activities. This position is responsible for overseeing the daily fundraising efforts of the athletic department, with a strong emphasis on enhancing philanthropic engagement for the North Alabama Athletics Department. Reporting directly to the Director of Athletics and having a dotted line to the Vice President for University Advancement, this role collaborates closely with the UNA Foundation staff to ensure the successful execution of fundraising initiatives. The successful candidate will be tasked with managing, planning, and executing a comprehensive fundraising program that aligns with the Shine On, Gold! capital campaign and the construction of Bank Independent Stadium. This involves working in a team environment alongside the athletic department and university advancement staff to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with alumni, parents, and friends of the University. The goal is to meet both short- and long-term objectives for the athletic department, ensuring that funding opportunities are maximized and effectively communicated. In addition to fundraising, the role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Director of Athletics and divisional staff/coaches, to lead specific development funding opportunities for Intercollegiate Athletics programs. The candidate will also be expected to travel extensively to meet with current and potential donors, ensuring that measurable goals related to donor engagement and fundraising are met. This position is integral to the success of the athletic department's financial health and its ability to provide quality programs and facilities for student-athletes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily fundraising activities for the athletic department.
• Increase philanthropic engagement on behalf of the North Alabama Athletics Department.
• Coordinate meetings with staff/coaches to maintain an active list of potential, current, and former donors.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals and organizations for philanthropic gifts.
• Develop and execute strategic funding requests, proposals, and stewardship materials.
• Play a lead role in soliciting and closing gifts.
• Manage a pipeline of active gift prospects and set strategies for their cultivation and solicitation.
• Establish measurable goals and objectives for the year based on program needs and donor capacity.
• Oversee the Champions of the Pride (annual giving arm) of the athletics department.
• Collaborate with multimedia rights partners to execute Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) priorities alongside philanthropic initiatives.
• Initiate and oversee the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of current and potential donors.
• Travel extensively to meet with current and potential donors, including overnight travel.
• Prepare documents and record actions related to donor engagement activities.
• Attend and participate in athletic events and university functions as a member of the division.
• Attend prospect management team meetings and athletic department staff meetings.
• Discover and create opportunities to attract major gift prospects into the life of the University and athletic department.
• Maintain a comprehensive strategy for annual and campaign goals and objectives.
• Work closely with donors and volunteer boards/councils to facilitate gifts.
• Maintain a working knowledge of planned giving vehicles.

Requirements

• Experience in fundraising, particularly in a higher education or athletics setting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to engage with donors and stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic fundraising plans and proposals.
• Experience in managing donor relationships and stewardship activities.
• Proven track record of meeting fundraising goals and objectives.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with capital campaigns and major gift solicitation.
• Familiarity with NCAA regulations and compliance in fundraising activities.
• Knowledge of planned giving vehicles and strategies.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Participation in athletic events and university functions.