Assistant Director for Development

This position is responsible for helping meet the fundraising objectives of the USD Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Under the supervision of the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Development, this position is responsible for the identification, cultivation and solicitation of annual fund (TAA), major gift, and sport specific club donors. Additionally, the position will help plan and manage stewardship and donor research activities for the Athletics Department.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Fundraising Activities

• Identify and manage a portfolio of annual and major gift prospects, which includes individuals with specific affiliation or giving interest to the University of San Diego Athletics program.
• Cultivate, Solicit and Steward Annual and Major Gift Donors.
• Identify and evaluate potential donors; design and implement prospect cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies.
• Maintain strong relationships and sustain regular contact with university officials, volunteer leaders, and other key stakeholders in support of the Senior Associate AD’s fundraising strategies, donor cultivation/solicitation, and essential stewardship of constituents; ensure timely, appropriate outreach and continued donor engagement with the university, including but not limited to anticipating essential deadlines, preparing draft documents, proposals, and communications.
• Develop, manage and execute campus fundraising campaigns, including the personal cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of faculty and staff.
• Assist in the planning and coordination of special events (e.g. luncheons, banquets, auctions, etc.) and facilitates, game-day hospitality and/or premium seating areas: the Jenny Craig Pavilion, Torero Stadium, Fowler Park and other facilities.

Development Operations

• Assist in the planning and production of the Athletics Development website, publications, brochures, and related-collateral materials necessary to support fundraising initiatives (both printed and digital).
• Create and produce donor pledge agreements and gift agreements, as needed.
• Create, maintain, update information collection, retrieval, and reporting processes for prospect research and major donor prospect management; maintains prospect management data and tracking in Advance; proactively updates information maintained in Advance
• Support the gift entry process as needed to ensure timely gift processing and receipting. Identify database issues that require data cleanup and work with the gift specialist to complete cleanup projects.

Special Conditions of Employment:

Athletics Development is a complex division with various responsibilities to the university-at-large, various institutional constituencies, the president, senior administrative staff, and the Board of Trustees. This employee’s personality and temperament are just as important as any particular skill. This employee must have the ability to maintain a professional demeanor, utilize tact and discretion, and maintain the strictest confidentiality.

The University of San Diego is requiring all employees to follow our Covid-19 vaccine requirement process. https://www.sandiego.edu/onward/

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Assistant Director: One year of related experience. Associate Director: Three years of related experience.
• Experience in nonprofit development or sales and/or higher education, preferably in NCAA Div. 1 Athletics.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as exceptional critical listening and thinking skills.
• Command of the English language, including AP writing style and standard grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and proofreading skill.
• Strong teamwork and leadership skills. Experience in managing teams at all levels across an organization.
• Effective strategic thinking, creative problem solving, attention to detail, and the ability to identify key issues proactively and to formulate recommendations for change or improvement.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to respond to unanticipated situations and shift priorities at a moment’s notice in a fast-paced office environment.
• Advanced experience with Microsoft Word and Excel; ability to learn new computer programs quickly and efficiently.
• A commitment to quality, client/colleague-oriented service; tact and discretion in maintaining confidentiality with campus administrators, trustees, or donors.
• Friendly and personable; mature, positive attitude; a team player.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Playing experience or participation in intercollegiate athletics preferred.

Performance Expectations: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Expected to meet and achieve fundraising metrics and goals related to: prospecting, number of donor contacts and visits, number of gifts and funds raised.
• Ability to initiate, lead, coordinate, and complete various projects with minimal supervision.
• Independent judgment when making decisions with the ability to think and act globally.
• Comfort level with public speaking.
• Excellent human relations skills and the ability to work with various university constituents; ability to develop and use empathetic listening skills, communicate with clarity, and maintain an attitude that conveys respect, cooperation, honesty, and resourcefulness.
• Adept at identifying problems, issues, and opportunities as they arise, appropriate responsiveness, including advising staff and/or the vice president appropriately.
• Proficiency with donor database/prospect management systems.
• Knowledge of USD policies and procedures; ability to become familiar with university history, customs and protocols, departmental structures and systems, fiscal procedures, and personnel policies.
• Flexibility in work schedule to permit occasional early morning, evening, and weekend duty, as needed.

$5,373.34 - $5,867.92 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Resume and Cover Letter Required

Click Apply Now to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers’ review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at 619-260-6806, or email us at jobs@sandiego.edu