Description

Job Description

The Senior Athletics Director for Development will lead and manage the development and fundraising efforts for the athletics department at Iona University. This role involves cultivating relationships with alumni, donors, and corporate partners, overseeing major gifts and capital campaigns, and ensuring the financial sustainability and growth of the athletics program in alignment with the university's mission and values.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Development and Fundraising Strategy

- Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies to support the athletics department's goals and initiatives.

- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a major gift portfolio of 50-75 individuals and foundations and up to 100 corporate sponsors.

- Oversee annual giving campaigns, capital campaigns, and planned giving programs in collaboration with Annual Giving and Major Gift teams.

2. Donor Relations and Stewardship

- Build and maintain strong relationships with alumni, donors, and key stakeholders.

- Develop and execute stewardship plans to recognize and engage donors, ensuring their continued support and involvement.

- Participate, with event planning colleagues, in the success of donor events, such as the annual golf outing, donor recognition events, and special receptions.

3. Collaboration and Coordination

- Collaborate with university leadership, including the Senior Vice President for Advancement & External Affairs, Athletics Director, and other senior administrators, to align fundraising efforts with the university's strategic priorities.

- Work closely with coaches, staff, and volunteers to identify fundraising opportunities and integrate development efforts across the athletics department.

- Coordinate with marketing and communications teams to develop fundraising materials, campaigns, and donor communications.

4. Budget and Financial Oversight

- Develop and manage the budget for the athletics development office, ensuring effective use of resources.

- Monitor fundraising progress and provide regular reports to university leadership on development activities and outcomes.

- Ensure compliance with university policies, NCAA regulations, and applicable laws related to fundraising and development.

5. Name. Image and Likeness

- Develop and implement strategies to enhance the personal and professional development of athletes, focusing on maximizing opportunities under Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations.

- Ensure compliance with NIL guidelines while fostering an environment where athletes can benefit from their personal brands.

- Serve as the primary liaison between athletes, external NIL partners, and the university.

6. Additional Duties

- Stay current with industry trends and best practices in athletic fundraising and development.

- Represent the athletics department at university events, conferences, and other external functions.

- Perform other related duties as assigned to support the overall mission and goals of the athletics department and the university.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in Sports Management, Business Administration, or a related field.

- Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in development, fundraising, or a related field, with a proven track record of securing major gifts.

- Strong understanding of NCAA regulations and compliance requirements.

- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.

- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement successful fundraising strategies.

- Experience managing budgets and financial planning.

- Strong leadership skills.

- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of stakeholders.

Reporting Structure:

- Reports directly to the Senior Vice President for Advancement & Alumni Relations.

- Works closely with the Athletics Director, coaches, and other university leadership.

About Iona University/EEO language

 Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science, nursing, and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona is widely recognized in prestigious rankings, including The Princeton Review’s 2024 national list of “The Best 389 Colleges” and The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse’s “2024 Best Colleges in America,” which ranked Iona at #66 in the nation overall and #8 in the nation among Catholic schools. Iona's LaPenta School of Business is also accredited AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide.

Iona offers a comprehensive benefits package to all full-time employees that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability; employee assistance program (EAP); tuition remission; and generous time off. For more information on our benefits and working at Iona visit the Human Resources section of our website.

Iona University values and celebrates diversity and is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all of our employees and does not tolerate discrimination based on any legally protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local laws. As an equal opportunity employer, Iona University encourages applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live, and in particular from historically underrepresented groups.