Assistant Athletics Director, Major Gifts Officer

Assistant Athletics Director, Major Gifts Officer

The George Mason University, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, is seeking qualified applicants for an Assistant Athletics Director, Major Gifts Officer. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

George Mason University offers outstanding benefits including health & life insurance, flexible spending accounts, multiple industry leading retirement plans, accrued paid days off per year, professional development, tuition reimbursement, and employee assistance programs. To learn more, please visit https://hr.gmu.edu/benefits/.

About the Position:

Reporting to the Senior Associate Athletic Director, Chief Financial Officer, the Assistant Athletic Director, Major Gifts Officer will support philanthropic efforts by identifying and implementing strategies for success in securing significant philanthropic support for Intercollegiate Athletics priorities. This position is responsible for cultivating meaningful relationships with potential and current Major Gift ($25,000+) level donors to the University. The Assistant Athletic Director will manage a portfolio of donors and prospective donors, and be responsible for facilitating all phases of the gift cycle, including initiating contact, cultivating and moving potential donors to solicitation and closure, creating solicitations, writing proposals, and stewarding donors. The Assistant Athletic Director works collaboratively with Athletics’ leadership, coaches, key volunteers, University leadership and faculty, Advancement staff and other school representatives to cultivate and solicit donors for Intercollegiate Athletics.

Responsibilities:

• Identify and cultivate major gift prospects to include developing ways to source new prospects and follow up on inquiries regarding significant gifts to Intercollegiate Athletics and the University;
• Personally solicit assigned donor portfolio through face-to-face visits, including preparation of personalized materials;
• Proactively identify, develop, and deliver engagement opportunities to donors to ensure the maximization of their financial and non-financial support;
• Research, develop, and write funding proposals, appeal letters, and reports as required;
• Accountable for meeting or exceeding established monthly and weekly fundraising goals and metrics;
• Solicit and secure six-, seven-, and eight-figure major gifts from assigned donors;
• Manage a budget ensuring that expenditures are in compliance and expense reports are prepared and submitted as needed;
• Work with prospects to educate them on Intercollegiate Athletics priorities and solicit and close outright and planned gifts;
• Effectively manages approximately 90-100 major gift prospects through personal visits, correspondence, electronic and telephone communication; and
• Accountable for cultivating relationships of individual and organizational fundraising with focus on retention, recapture, and growth.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field and demonstrated, successful professional advancement and/or fundraising-related experience, preferably in higher education and Intercollegiate Athletics; or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been achieved;
• Experience with an effective understanding of the Intercollegiate Athletic environment and donor community is preferred;
• Considerable fundraising experience (generally 5+ years) in successfully cultivating and securing major gifts of $25,000 or more;
• Consistent record of building solid relationships with prospects and donors;
• Knowledge and understanding of basic principles and techniques of planned giving and work closely with planned giving colleagues;
• Knowledge and understanding of business processes of advancement operations including prospect management, donor relations, and gift processing;
• Demonstrated skill in effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication to share Intercollegiate Athletics’ mission, vision, and goals with clarity, passion, and persuasion;
• A demonstrated commitment to the mission of George Mason University and Intercollegiate Athletics Department;
• Ability to work frequent athletic functions in the evenings and on weekends and periodic domestic travel;
• Ability to manage a mixed portfolio of approximately 90-100 individual, corporate, and prospective donors involving travel and considerable face to face meetings;
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities and strong organizational skills;
• Demonstrated aptitude at representing an organization in a professional and highly effective manner;
• Ability to work well with diverse groups of constituents and colleagues;
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality with respect to prospects and donors;
• High level of creativity, initiative, and motivation;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office – Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; and
• Familiarity with CRM fundraising software.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for position number FA42Jz at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.