Associate Athletic Director for Development

University of Tulsa - Tulsa, OK

Full-time - Mid Level

Tulsa, OK

About the position

Under the direction of the Vice President of UAAE, the Associate Athletic Director for Development will solicit private support for The University of Tulsa, specifically focusing on Golden Hurricane Athletics. This individual will be responsible for discovery, engagement, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift donors and prospects for the TU Department of Athletics. The role requires a proactive approach to fundraising, with an emphasis on building and maintaining relationships with donors and prospects to support the athletics agenda. The Associate Athletic Director will design and execute fundraising goals and strategies that align with the university's objectives, collaborating closely with the Director of Athletics and the Office of UAAE. This includes staffing the Athletic Director and coaches on donor and prospect calls, which may involve travel to cities outside of Tulsa. The individual will maintain an active schedule of donor/prospect visits, with an expectation of 20 qualified visits monthly, and will analyze donor trends to identify opportunities for new or upgraded gifts. In addition to major gift fundraising, the Associate Athletic Director will develop and engage volunteers, donors, and colleagues in productive long-term relationships with the university. This includes collaborating with the UAAE special events team and alumni engagement team to design and staff cultivation and stewardship activities that promote continued engagement with TU Athletics. The role also involves facilitating communication with donors to foster an inclusive environment that values diverse experiences and perspectives.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute fundraising goals and strategies that support and advance the athletics agenda.
• Staff the Athletic Director and coaches on donor and prospect calls, including travel to cities outside of Tulsa.
• Maintain an active schedule of donor/prospect visits with an expectation of 20 qualified visits monthly.
• Analyze and evaluate donor trends for athletics constituencies for new and/or upgraded gifts, and special giving opportunities.
• Mentor the Director of Development for Athletics and assist in developing strategies for Golden Hurricane Champions Fund solicitations.
• Develop proposals for support of major athletics initiatives in collaboration with the Senior Director of Advancement Communications.
• Collaborate with advancement colleagues to monitor overlap between major donors and prospects to ensure coordinated solicitation strategies.
• Report and track fundraising progress using contact reports and prospect management through a sophisticated donor/prospect database.
• Develop and engage volunteers, donors, and colleagues in productive long-term relationships with the university.
• Collaborate with UAAE special events team and alumni engagement team to design and staff cultivation and stewardship activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Three or more years professional experience in higher education fundraising, sales and marketing, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated success in soliciting and closing major gifts.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively about engaging donors.
• Ability to create a climate of confidence and trust on the part of donors and colleagues.
• Good sense of humor and ability to have fun.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree; previous successful experience coordinating volunteers in a fundraising program; proficiency with Raiser's Edge NXT; established record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing philanthropic gifts; demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively about engaging donors nationally; familiarity with the university history and community.