Assistant AD for Major Gifts

Summary

The Assistant Athletic Director for Major Gifts secures significant philanthropic support for VCU’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. The role manages a portfolio of approximately 90‑125 high‑capacity donors (typically $50,000+), focusing on capital projects, endowments, and programmatic initiatives. Success requires a strategic, relationship‑driven approach and close collaboration with athletics leadership and university advancement.

Core Responsibilities

• Identify, engage, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 90‑125 top prospects with giving capacity of $50,000 or greater.
• Solicit major gifts (≥ $50k) through personal appointments, calls, and correspondence.
• Independently discover major‑gift prospects via athletics engagement, professional networks, and external relationships, while collaborating with central advancement.
• Partner with Development and Alumni Relations’ Prospect Development department to apply data‑informed moves‑management.
• Utilize personalized fundraising targets to report effectiveness to athletics leadership and ensure personal accountability.
• Develop and execute individualized engagement strategies to move prospects through the major‑gift pipeline.
• Travel to in‑season and postseason athletic events to support donor cultivation, engagement, and stewardship.
• Prepare and present customized proposals, gift agreements, and naming opportunities in coordination with athletics and university advancement leadership.
• Collaborate on naming opportunities, endowment structures, and complex gift arrangements, including pledges, multi‑year commitments, and blended gifts.
• Contribute to campaign strategy, prospect segmentation, goal setting, tracking, and reporting.
• Participate in joint visits and coordinated solicitations for transformational gifts.
• Support senior athletics leadership (e.g., Athletic Director, President) in high‑level donor meetings and solicitations.
• Secure philanthropic support for priority initiatives, such as the continued development of the Athletic Village.
• Engage in regular prospect strategy and portfolio review meetings with athletics and advancement leadership.
• Provide stewardship through impact reporting and coordination of donor recognition aligned with gift level and intent.

Revenue Operations

• Ensure compliance with University, DAR, State, Atlantic 10 Conference, and NCAA regulations related to development programs, cash management, and gift management.
• Utilize the Talent@VCU performance management system for mid‑year and annual performance reviews.
• Track donor activity, pipeline progression, and revenue outcomes within the CRM system; monitor progress toward major‑gift fundraising goals.
• Maintain accurate, current prospect records, documenting contacts, strategies, and engagement activity in the CRM.

Other Duties

• Attend campus, DAR, and foundation staff meetings to stay informed on institutional fundraising priorities.
• Collaborate with Development and Alumni Relations teams—including planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, principal giving, and presidential philanthropy—to design donor‑centric strategies.
• Partner on joint cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts as needed.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or a related field, or equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, and experience.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in athletics development.
• Experience facilitating leadership annual‑fund gifts; stewardship, alumni/donor relations, or advancement experience.
• Excellent customer service, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with a wide variety of internal and external constituents.
• Strong time‑management, prioritization, and multitasking abilities.
• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends for special events.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and related software.
• Effective problem‑solving, independent work, and initiative.
• Team‑oriented mindset with a focus on continuous quality improvement.
• High level of organization, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Commitment to fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility for a diverse university community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in communications, marketing, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Five or more years of professional or internship experience in front‑line fundraising, customer relations, or sales‑related fields.
• Personal attributes: honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, teamwork, follow‑through, attention to detail, and self‑confidence.
• Professional credibility to engage senior leadership, volunteer leaders, and key stakeholders.

Salary Range

$80,000 – $90,000

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Paid annual and holiday leave
• Generous tuition benefits
• Retirement planning and savings options, including tax‑deferred annuity and cash match programs
• Employee discounts
• Well‑being resources
• Opportunities for career development and advancement

Work Schedule

Full‑time, 40+ hours per week; fully onsite position.