Associate Athletic Director, Development (Administrator I)

About the role

The Associate Athletic Director, Development at San Diego State University is responsible for managing a portfolio of major gift prospects, cultivating and stewarding donor relationships, and leading major gift initiatives for SDSU Athletics. Reporting to the Athletic Director, this role plays a critical role in advancing the mission of Aztec Athletics and securing philanthropic support.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 150+ major gift prospects and oversee the full donor lifecycle, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Secure major and planned gifts in support of SDSU Athletics priorities and initiatives.
• Develop and implement donor strategies in collaboration with Athletics leadership, development professionals, coaches, and volunteers.
• Represent SDSU Athletics and the university in donor meetings, events, and community engagements.
• Help establish and execute short- and long-term fundraising goals for Athletics Development.
• Oversee the Assistant Director, Development role, and support the continued growth and effectiveness of Athletics Development operations.
• Collaborate with leadership to strengthen fundraising programs and advance departmental priorities.
• Oversee athletics endowed scholarship and planned giving initiatives, including the Coryell Legacy Society program.
• Coordinate and execute signature donor engagement events, including the annual Coryell Legacy Society Dinner.
• Support strategies that encourage long-term philanthropic investment in SDSU Athletics.
• Build and maintain relationships with alumni, donors, volunteers, community leaders, and university stakeholders.
• Serve as an ambassador for SDSU Athletics and advocate for the needs of student-athletes.
• Collaborate across the university to advance fundraising priorities, donor engagement, and campus partnerships.
• Support special projects and initiatives that contribute to the success of Athletics Development and the broader university mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, in a relevant field or combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of major gifts fundraising or closely related experience managing high-value, relationship-based revenue portfolios.
• Demonstrated success closing relationship-based commitments of $50,000+ (one-time or cumulative over time), preferably in a philanthropic setting.
• Demonstrated success as a development professional in a donor-centered fundraising environment.
• Experience across multiple areas of advancement, including prospect management, annual giving, donor relations, communications, gift administration, and gift acceptance.
• Ability to research, analyze, and interpret biographical, corporate, foundation, and philanthropic information to support fundraising strategies.
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with donors, volunteers, campus partners, and external stakeholders while representing the university professionally.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, evolving, and goal-oriented organizational environment.