Senior Associate Athletic Director of Development (Finance)

Position Summary

The senior associate athletics director for development oversees and manages all aspects of the fundraising efforts for Rice University department of Athletics. In close collaboration with Rice Development and Alumni relations, this position will lead strategic planning and annual goal setting, campaign planning and execution, budget management, supervise development staff, managing a prospect portfolio, staffing the director of athletics and coaches. This position will collaborate closely with coaches, staff, donors, and volunteers to ensure that fundraising efforts and opportunities are maximized. The position is also responsible for the coordination of all major gift proposals and solicitations, Owl Club and Special Interest Group (SIG) fund raising activities, and other volunteer and alumni groups (i.e. Owl Club Advisory Board, WAAB, RUPBA, etc.). This position will also work closely with the head of the "R" Association to ensure meaningful letter winner engagement and the Ticket Sales team to facilitate donor tickets and parking. Finally, this position will serve on the department's executive staff and may serve as a sport administrator as assigned by the director of athletics.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Eight years of related experience in annual giving, sales, or an external revenue generating function
• Leadership and strategic management skills
• Strong organization skills with keen attention to detail
• Foundation in problem solving and data analysis
• Ability to create a major annual giving plans and lead, manage, coach, and motivate a development. team to execute against the plan
• Strong relationship building
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Experience with direct mail, telemarketing, and/or database marketing
• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment

Essential Functions

• Provides supervision and administrative oversight for athletics' fundraising team.
• Develops fundraising strategic plans and recommendations for the director of athletics
• Collaborates with the VP of development and alumni relations to ensure coordinated and consistent approach to athletics fundraising.
• Manages fundraising team staffing and operations and continues to develop strategies to maximize resources and performance
• Collaborates with the director of athletics and the athletics executive staff to set department policies and goals
• Manages portfolio of high potential / high return donors to cultivate, solicit, and grow relationships.
• Forms strong alliances and relationships with the Houston community for the purpose of developing additional resources and cutting-edge opportunities
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Employ a data-driven approach to prospect identification and cultivation.
• Manage a portfolio of assigned leadership donors and prospects to cultivate, solicit, steward, and grow donor relationships.
• Lead team of full-time staff and volunteers, including the Owl Club Advisory Board, to assign prospects and support solicitations.
• Monitor, analyze, and report results of solicitations to determine effectiveness.
• Collaborate with the director of ticket sales and team to increase number of donors who are also premium ticket buyers.
• Plan and execute donor hospitality events for all sports, particularly football and basketball, and for special events.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Preferences

• Master's preferred
• Professional experience in collegiate athletics or at an institution of higher education in an external revenue generating function (development, marketing & promotions, events, ticket sales, sponsorships, etc.)
• Experience in planning and implementing major and annual giving strategies, including segmentation, working with volunteers, and closing gifts through in-person and written solicitation
• Familiarity with constituent databases such as Ticketmaster Archtics or Blackbaud
• Knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, and/or InDesign

Rice University HR | Benefits

https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values

Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and the full inclusion of all qualified persons in the workplace. This commitment includes providing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. For applicants with disabilities who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University's Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.