Associate Director/Director/Senior Director of Major Gifts (Virginia Athletics Foundation)

Associate Director/Director/Senior Director of Major Gifts

*Title and compensation commensurate with experience

Reports to: Deputy Executive Director or Senior Director of Major Gifts and Campaign Strategy

Overview

The Virginia Athletics Foundation (VAF), through its fundraising efforts, strives to support a preeminent intercollegiate athletics program at the University of Virginia by providing student-athletes the opportunity to achieve academic and athletic excellence. More than 11,000 individuals commit annually to the Virginia Athletics Foundation (VAF) and their financial investments position our teams to successfully compete both at the national and conference levels.

Among the most successful athletics development foundations in the country, the VAF is responsible for engaging fans, alumni and loyal supporters to generate the resources necessary to support over 700 student-athletes participating in 27 sports. Critical to advancing our mission is the important work of the VAF’s Major Gifts team.

Position Description

The Associate Director/Director/Senior Director of Major Gifts will cultivate relationships with fans, friends, and alumni with a portfolio of 125 – 150 current and prospective major/principal gift donors whose commitments will support all aspects of the fundraising enterprise and advance the strategic funding priorities of the VAF and Virginia Athletics. The Associate Director/Director/Senior Director of Major Gifts will focus their efforts on growing, renewing, and upgrading membership in the Sabre Society by prioritizing commitments of $25,000+, connecting the passions of UVA constituents with the priorities established by VAF and Athletics leadership.

The Associate Director/Director/Senior Director of Major Gifts will be assigned regional territories in which they will represent the holistic philanthropic opportunities of Virginia Athletics. They will be charged with prospecting new donors, while maintaining, growing, and stewarding existing VAF relationships. This position will serve as a sport(s) liaison, working directly with coaches and sport supervisors of one to three programs to facilitate fundraising and create alignment with the strategic funding priorities of the VAF and Virginia Athletics. Additionally, the Associate Director/Director/Senior Director of Major Gifts, as needed and appropriate, may be tasked with leading the planning and deployment of strategic initiatives for the VAF.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a portfolio of 125-150 major gift prospects focusing on solicitations of $25,000+ for inclusion into the Sabre Society

• Conduct at least 200 substantive actions with prospects and donors annually, prioritizing in-person meetings and a minimum of 25 solicitations per year.

• Utilize the CRM to track and report prospect management activity to ensure proper portfolio health, with the goal of establishing a continuous pipeline of donors capable of making Sabre Society level commitments of $25,000 or more.

• Develop and execute long-range and short-term cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for all managed prospects.

• Develop strategies to qualify donors and identify the short- and long-term giving potential by validating prospect’s capacity, inclination, and affinity while taking on the role of trusted philanthropic advisor throughout the donor lifecycle.

• Proven ability to navigate complex donor relationships with sound judgment and adaptability, while taking ownership of strategy and outcomes in collaboration with coaches, administrators, and advancement partners.

• Develop well-rounded knowledge of the greater Virginia Athletics enterprise, including industry trends and market forces that may affect future strategic funding needs.

• Build travel plans while demonstrating judicious use of time and resources, anchored with strategic major gifts prospects and rounded out with additional qualification and stewardship meetings.

• Serve as the liaison to one to three sport(s), working with head coaches and sport supervisors to best understand our coaches’ funding priorities, provide fundraising counsel, and ensure alignment with VAF and Virginia Athletics strategic funding priorities.

• Frequent travel is required, as well as regular participation in evening and weekend activities.

• Other duties as assigned as a member of the Virginia Athletics Foundation team.

Qualifications

• The ability to effectively articulate mission, vision, values, and strategic funding opportunities for support in an engaging, motivating, and inspirational manner

• Demonstrated success and effectiveness in prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

• Goal-oriented (metrics-driven)

• A willingness to positively navigate and embrace the ever-changing NCAA landscape and its evolving impact on the funding needs of Virginia Athletics.

• Ability to maintain poise and professionalism in interactions with university administration, VAF Board of Trustees, community leaders, donors, and co-workers

• Ability to prioritize and organize complex projects and plans to deliver results

• Strong internal and external customer service skills

• Demonstrated initiative in seizing opportunities, a self-starter, the ability to work independently to drive results

• A collaborative, team-first mentality

• Demonstrated passion and enthusiasm for the University of Virginia and the mission of VAF

• Ability to learn development software quickly

• Ability to write and speak clearly and effectively

• Bachelor's degree with direct Major Gift experience for a minimum of 2-4 years (Associate Director), 5-7 years (Director), or 7+ years (Senior Director) of related professional experience

• Experience fundraising in college athletics highly preferred

• Must be eligible to work in the United States

• Must possess valid driver's license

Benefits*

• Annual salaried position (compensation based on experience)

• Annual incentive program (based on staff performance)

• Paid personal leave and at least 12 paid holidays

• Health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance

• 401k Plan with employer contribution

• On-site parking provided

• Football and Basketball season tickets for employee and eligible family members

• Family pass for regular season home athletics UVA Olympic sport events

• Recreation pass providing access to all UVA recreation facilities

*Benefits subject to change

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume at vafweb@virginia.edu.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the Virginia Athletics Foundation honors your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. Together, we strive to create and maintain working environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming so we can best achieve our mission of supporting our broadly diverse donors, teams, and networks of engaged alumni, parents, and friends of the UVA Athletics.