The posting
Position Title:
Senior Director of Development and Athletics Initiatives
Position Type:
Regular
Hiring Range:
$129,000.00 to $161,265.00; Compensation will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.
Pay Frequency:
Annual
OVERVIEW
University Relations builds Santa Clara University’s excellence and character by strengthening relations with alumni, parents, and friends of the University, raising public awareness, and increasing private philanthropy, which supports the University’s growth and reputation.
With 20 NCAA Division I sports, Athletics is an integral part of SCU's 2020 Strategic Plan and is a campaign priority. Fundraising efforts are focused on building a nationally prominent athletics program that dramatically enhances awareness of Santa Clara University, drives school spirit and alumni pride to new levels. There is also a focus on providing student-athletes with a meaningful, challenging, and rewarding academic and athletics experience.
POSITION PURPOSE Reporting to the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development (SAAD), the Senior Director of Development and Athletics Initiatives (SDD) plays a critical role in Santa Clara University's efforts to secure resources for its strategic funding priorities and for one of the campaign’s priorities – Athletics.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the development of engagement and solicitation strategies for qualified major gift prospects (between $100,000 and $5,000,000), and oversee the implementation and personally drive the execution of said strategies.
- Work closely with the Director of Athletics and the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development to increase philanthropic support to identified Athletics funding priorities.
- Collaborate with other development officers and directors of external relations, academic leaders, program directors and other University administrators, and volunteers to develop multi-interest proposals and promote organized and strategic outreach.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive prospecting plan for University alumni and friends, including identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gift donors, specifically for athletics.
- Aggressively identify and formally qualify new prospects and existing donors through personal visits, phone calls, correspondence, events and University activities to meet fundraising objectives.
- Manage a portfolio of current and new/discovery prospects, seeking to grow the pool of engaged alumni, parents, friends and corporate partners.
- Incorporate planned giving alternatives as necessary and appropriate. Coordinate planned giving requests.
- Meet dollar and activity metrics as set with the SAAD.
- Interact with deans, directors and/or University administrators in the form of fundraising strategy development, meeting and event attendance and written briefings as they pertain to assigned prospects and prospect development.
- Engage prospects and donors through athletics event invitations and attendance.
- Produce well-written, accurate, and timely follow-up and related correspondence such as comprehensive proposals, related budgets, contact reports, cover and thank you letters, e-mails, reports, and briefings in support of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding assigned prospects.
- Track and record activities as they relate to assigned prospects using the CRM database (CLARA) constituent management software and report regularly to SAAD.
- Collaborate with the Office of Athletics and the Office of Development, sharing information and with colleagues in a respectful and professional manner; contributing to a healthy and positive work environment.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of Santa Clara University's mission.
PROVIDES WORK DIRECTION
- Provide work direction to shared administrative assistant and/or student worker.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
- Recommend initiatives and implement changes to improve quality and services.
- Identify and determine the cause of problems; develop and present recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices.
- Maintain contact with external constituents and solicit feedback for improved University relations.
- Maximize productivity through use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives.
- Research and develop resources that create timely and efficient workflow.
- Prepare progress reports; inform supervisor of project status; and deviations from goals. Ensure completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of all operational functions.
- Prepare and submit reports as requested and required.
- Develop and implement guidelines to support the functions of the unit.
QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.
This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.
1. Knowledge
- Knowledge of higher education advancement.
- Demonstrated understanding of annual, major gift, and planned giving programs, with an emphasis on personal solicitations.
- Working knowledge of administration and program development and the best practices and trends associated with implementation of athletics broadly.
- Experience in developing and maintaining ongoing external relationships.
- Knowledge of and commitment to University athletics and fostering the student-athlete experience.
- Experience with and understanding of databases, pipelines, performance tracking and other metric measurement processes.
- Understanding and appreciation of the mission of Santa Clara University and the vision and values of a Jesuit Catholic educational institution.
2. Skills
- Must be a goal-oriented and self-motivated individual who can demonstrate accountability, initiative, creativity, and focus in a rapidly changing and intellectually stimulating environment.
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate, build alliances, and achieve results within a population that may possess competing interests, opinions, and /or expectations.
- Demonstrate strong active listening skills and ability to negotiate positive outcomes.
- Positive attitude, sense of humor, and flexibility.
- Proficiency in using a fundraising database (or similar).
- Required to have a valid driver’s license and personal transportation vehicle available for frequent travel to business meetings (mileage is reimbursed under federal guidelines).
3. Abilities
- Demonstrated level of comfort working and communicating with top executives, community leaders and/or University leadership. Ability to motivate, build long-term relationships with and gain the respect of internal and external clients.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of internal and external constituents.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and implement major gift strategic planning, and solicitation strategies in support of strategic initiatives, specifically athletics.
- Verifiable track record of soliciting individuals/organizations for financial investments and the ability to articulate and advocate a strong case for support.
- Demonstrated ability to manage time and workload to multitask and achieve goals in a deadline-driven environment.
- Demonstrated genuine appetite to contribute to a collaborative, ethical, and professional team environment.
- Ability to work on the road and/or work at odd hours and on weekends.
- Demonstrated ability to multitask in a deadline-driven environment with a healthy attitude to attaining goals; to work independently and as a member of a staff team; to exercise sound judgment and discretion; to promote collaboration.
4. Education
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
- Valid driver’s license.
5. Years of Experience
- Minimum 8+ years of progressively responsible fundraising experience and/or leadership experience in higher education, with extensive experience in major gifts and athletic programs.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities. A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer and phone.
- Required to frequently travel to outside constituent meetings within the Bay Area or in-state or out-of-state locations.
- Required to travel to other buildings on the campus.
- May be required to attend conferences and training sessions within the Bay Area or in-state or out-of-state locations.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- Typical office environment.
- Mostly indoor office environment with windows.
- Offices with equipment noise.
- Offices with frequent interruptions.
- Driving related to meetings with external constituents.
- Meetings with external constituents at off-campus locations including other offices, restaurants, other private and public and athletic venues.
Telecommute
Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.
EEO Statement
Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination
Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decision making, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website at https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/.
Clery Notice of Availability
Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at [email protected] or by phone at (408)554-4392. Please note: This contact information is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes or inquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not be reviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regarding application status, please contact [email protected].
