Senior Director of Athletics Development

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $82,862 and $104,821, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The senior director of athletics development will have primary responsibility for the solicitation of major gifts for Case Western Reserve University from its natural constituency and beyond in the range of $500,000-$1,000,000. This position will work alongside CWRU Athletics staff to build major gift strategies that maximize impact and further the philanthropic goals of CWRU athletics. The senior director will be charged to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward 100 to 125 prospects for Case Western Reserve University, requiring that approximately 80 percent of their time be spent on direct face-to-face cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The senior director is responsible for development and implementation of strategies to drive the major giving fundraising efforts of national development and major gifts department. The senior director acts as a central point of contact for athletics development and major giving. Functioning as part of a university development team, the incumbent will be expected to work collegially, and in partnership, with central and school-based colleagues.

Essential Functions

• Manage major gift ($500,000-$1,000,000 fundraising and strategies for athletics development and major gifts by providing planning and oversight to the identification, cultivation, stewardship, solicitation activities. Directly responsible for developing and implementing a strategic plan that meets all operating, endowment, and facility fundraising goals. Plan strategies for the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of gifts for a portfolio of 100 to 125 athletics major gift prospects and donors with the responsibility of raising private support to the university and the achievement of personal fundraising goals. Attend sporting events frequently to engage with CWRU athletic team supporters, parents of student athletes, coaches and staff. (40%)
• Partner with CWRU Athletics staff to build a comprehensive development program for CWRU athletics. Partner with the Annual Giving and Alumni Relations departments to design, implement and measure annual giving and engagement programming that cultivates relationships with alumni and friends and drives giving to CWRU¿s athletics programs. Ensure regular communication with the athletic director to discuss donor stewardship and donor communication plans and will seek to use the director of athletics, head coaches, and other staff where appropriate to advance major gift conversations. Serve as a resource for development and alumni relations staff across campus for athletics information and provide athletics content for engagement, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship initiatives and materials. Set short and long-term goals and engagement objectives for athletics development and major gifts. (30%)
• Create, implement, and measure donor relations and stewardship strategies and tactics for athletics donors. Enhance and execute new and innovative ways to improve donor experience including developing and executing tailored stewardship touchpoints for leadership level donors to athletics. Work directly with coaches to facilitate their engagement in fundraising and engagement strategies and initiatives. (10%)
• Under the direction of the athletic director, manage key volunteer leadership groups on behalf of athletics including the CWRU Athletic Visiting Committee. Develop and implement all aspects and logistics of meeting planning including creating agendas, developing presentations and materials, prepping speakers, managing communications and follow up with committee members. Design and implement all engagement plans that drive advancement of the groups¿ mission and objectives. (10%)
  
  
  

Nonessential Functions

Develop strategies to build strong relationships and collaborate with, taking the lead when appropriate, the central development staff, prospect management, and development research, as well as school-based colleagues, to plan athletics development and major gifts special project fundraising activities. Establish and use a system that tracks gift processing and donor information and oversee any staff responsible for data entry and gift processing. Recruit, coordinate, motivate and work closely with alumni and campus volunteers, including trustees and senior administrators, to engage donors most effectively for the university. (5%)

Facilitate and/or participate in fundraising visits as directed by the executive director. (5%)

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. (

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with the vice president, executive directors, senior directors, directors and other department and university relations and development staff as required to perform essential functions.

University: Daily contact with the president's office, vice presidents, deans, trustees, alumni, directors of administrative departments, faculty and staff as required to perform essential functions.

External: Contact with trustees, alumni, donors, friends of the university, vendors and volunteers as required to perform essential functions.

Students: Contact with students as required to perform essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

No direct supervisory responsibility.

Qualifications

Experience: 10 or more years of increasing responsibility in development, alumni relations, public relations or marketing. Proven track record of successful fund raising.

Education: Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated ability to secure major gifts of $500,000-$1,000,000.
• Demonstrated credibility necessary to influence and tactfully manage relationships with internal and external constituencies.
• Experience in gaining access to and establishing connections with national business, foundation, and industry leaders; philanthropists; and other high-level individuals. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
• Proven ability to plan, initiate, manage, and evaluate challenging logistical situations.
• Must demonstrate proven ability to troubleshoot and to identify problems and appropriate responses to complex issues.
• Demonstrated excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Capacity to develop and execute complex strategy impacting philanthropic effectiveness.
• Must possess superior managerial and organizational skills.
• Strong writing skills required.
• Must be able to travel and work outside of regular office hours.
• Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and ability to learn new programs.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
  
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment, some evening and weekend work hours will be required. Ability to travel extensively is essential.

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.