Responsible for assigned development activities for Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at West Virginia University with a focus on Major Gifts for capital projects, planned gifts, endowments, and sport enhancement funds. Manage a portfolio of Major Gift prospects and donors to the Mountaineer Athletic Club (MAC).
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Manage a designated territory along with a portfolio of Leadership Giving ($50,000 +) donors and prospects, as defined by working with the WVU Foundation, from initial identification, discovery, cultivation, proposal development, solicitation and through stewardship, developing plans and programs to maximize gift revenue for capital campaign, endowment, and planned gifts.
Develop and implement an annual action plan to fulfill all quantifiable work performance goals for contacts, solicitations, closed gifts and new prospects identified.
Develop a thorough understanding of the MAC Leadership Giving society, the Almost Heaven Society, annual giving, ticket priority, and premium seating programs for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics collaborating with appropriate MAC staff to meet unit metrics and provide high-end customer service to MAC donors and prospects.
Solicit non-major gifts as assigned, particularly leadership annual gifts and ticket priority gifts at the high-end ($10,000+) Mountaineer Athletic Club annual giving levels.
Support and work with WVU Athletics coaches and their staff to coordinate fundraising efforts, plans, and initiatives for their respective sports as it pertains to sport-specific giving assignments determined by the Associate Athletics Director – Athletics Development and the Senior Associate Athletic Director - Executive Director of the MAC.
Maintain a comprehensive working knowledge of the WV U Intercollegiate Athletics program assuring effective representation of all aspects of the program and needs for private support.
Plan, execute, and /or staff prospect cultivation, hospitality, donor stewardship and recognition programs, and other special events as assigned, including, but not limited to: programs held concurrently with athletic contests at WVU athletic or opponent venues, various MAC events, items centered around Climbing Higher campaign.
Initiate and facilitate collegial and highly collaborative relationships and open communications with other WVU Foundation and University development staff, and other University and Athletic sports programs and departments in advancing the mission, philosophy, and objectives of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Develop specific working knowledge of relevant Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and WVU Foundation computer systems necessary in completion of day-to-day business. As directed and needed, create or assemble documents or reports for either internal or external uses in advancing or evaluating Athletic development.
Coordinate all development efforts with the WVU Foundation and comply with all WVU Foundation reporting and accountability standards.
Maintain knowledge of and comply with all rules, regulations, policies and guidelines of WVU Foundation Inc., West Virginia University, the Big 12 Conference and the NCAA. Failure to adhere to these policies will result in appropriate disciplinary action including possible suspension and termination.
Represent the WVU Foundation, the University, and Intercollegiate Athletics with the highest professional level of integrity, strength of character, and ethics. Must respect the rights and dignity of individuals with sensitivity to problems that may arise from racial and ethnic differences.
Manage sensitive and confidential information related to donors, ticket holders, student-athletes, coaches and staff utilizing discretion and ethical decision making. Failure to use proper discretion at the required level could result in major and significant embarrassment to the University and/or significantly impact the image, revenues and eligibility of student-athletes.
Faithfull y and diligently execute related duties of WVU Athletics, as requested or assigned by the Associate Athletics Director – Leadership Giving & Capital Campaigns, and/or the Deputy Athletics Director/Chief Development Officer.
Requirements
Maintain high standard of ethics and integrity related to intercollegiate athletics.
Demonstrated knowledge of NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics.
Demonstrated knowledge of development or fund-raising concepts.
Demonstrated knowledge of NCAA and conference guidelines, policies, rules and regulations with the ability to interpret, apply, enforce and explain such policies and rules.
Maintain knowledge of WVU Foundation, state and University policies and procedures.
Exhibit strong creative, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated knowledge of correct English, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.
Demonstrated ability in public speaking skills.
Demonstrated ability to function professionally under high stress and confrontational circumstances.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks for extended periods of time.
Demonstrated ability to independently plan and organize work.
Proactive attitude towards work and assignments.
Demonstrated ability to adapt to any situation, make decisions and work independently; must have the ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, fans, student athletes, coaches, staff members and vendors; required to use creative abilities to develop new techniques and approaches in dealing with many issues controlled by this position; responsibilities of the position are ever-changing and require constant research and education; requires the ability to adapt to any situation and make decisions
Demonstrated ability to maintain and develop personal relationships with all the Athletic Department's and WVU Foundation's many constituencies, including donors, prospects, ticket holders, fans, student-athletes, professional representatives, coaches, vendors, media, and the University community.
Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
Manage professional and personal time to handle time sensitive-issues, tight deadlines, extended hours beyond the normal workday, including frequent weekend work, travel, and on-call availability.
Demonstrated knowledge of record keeping and adherence to schedule.
Ability to stay abreast of information impacting the affected area.
Demonstrated ability to organize and motivate groups and individuals.
Ability to maintain proper unit attendance and punctuality standards, work extended hours including nights and weekends (often with extensive walking and standing).
Demonstrated knowledge of affected areas of involvement.
Demonstrated ability to drive and travel via motor vehicle and airplane.
Maintain a valid driver's license.
Previous experience fundraising for major gifts ($50,000+ over a five-year pledge) is preferred, particularly in the intercollegiate athletics fundraising space.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Education, Experience and Competencies
A bachelor’s degree is required; a Master's degree is preferred. 2-3 years of experience in an athletics development setting (Director) or 3-5 years of experience (Senior Director).
Certificates, Licenses and Registrations: N/A
Physical requirements
While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use his/her hands and fingers, to handle or feel. The employee is required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, and possibly at times, climb or balance, stoop or kneel. Vision abilities required to perform this job include close vision. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Other Duties
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
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