Associate Director of Development, Athletics

Are you ready to be part of an energetic and unified team dedicated to transforming higher education? Our foundation is breaking down barriers between advancement, alumni relations, and stewardship to create a cohesive environment where philanthropy and innovative partnerships thrive. This is your chance to make a significant impact as we fulfill Our Call to Beneficence: The Campaign for Ball State University, aimed at elevating student support both financially and academically.

Why Join Us?

• Dynamic Team Environment: Collaborate with passionate professionals who are committed to our mission.
• Cutting-Edge Initiatives: Be at the forefront of redefining philanthropy in education.
• Unified Structure: Work within a seamless organization with no barriers between key departments.
• Supportive Culture: A high-achieving work environment that values camaraderie and collaboration.
• Impactful Work: A mission that changes lives through education and philanthropy.

We invite you to join our team and make a difference. Join us in our mission to support students in realizing their purpose, achieving their dreams, and leading meaningful lives.

About the role

This position plays a key role in raising philanthropic support across all sports and programs for Ball State University Athletics. This individual will manage a portfolio of lead annual giving prospects and assist with developing the overall strategies for the Cardinal Varsity Club to increase the number of annual donors, gifts and dollars at the $1,000-$24,999 level. The associate director is expected to build working relationships with administrators, coaches and staff within Ball State Athletics as related to data-inspired mid-level fundraising. This position reports to the Director of Development, Athletics within the Ball State Foundation.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of lead annual giving athletic prospects and achieve or exceed annual fundraising goals as set by the Ball State Foundation. Concentrate on renewal, upgrades and acquisition to assist in raising more private support for athletics annually and enhance the major gift pipeline.
• Collaborate with major gift officers and Philanthropy Experience officers at the Ball State Foundation on dual ask opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Director of Development, Athletics and Associate Director of Annual Giving to develop strategies and corresponding operating plans that align with Annual Giving strategies, as led and implemented by the Associate Director of Annual Giving.
• Form close working relationships with sport administrators, coaches, letter-winners, key donors and volunteers to achieve annual fundraising goals.
• Lead conversations with athletics staff regarding One Ball State Day and obtain matching challenges from each head coach, preferably at $500+.
• Solicit letter-winners and other athletic donors for mid-level OBSD matches in an effort to increase overall support to athletics.
• In close collaboration with the Director of Development, Athletics, direct sport administrators and coaches in the identification of sport-specific fundraising projects at the leadership annual giving level.
• Coordinate and facilitate communication between administrators, coaches, donors, prospects and volunteers, as appropriate for opportunities to bolster fundraising efforts. Seek ways to engage athletics staff in donor visits as applicable.
• Extend personal invitations to constituents for Athletic and University events as applicable (including Power of Beneficence event, the Chirpies, and sport preview events). Be well versed in opportunities to engage letter-winners and others within the assigned portfolio.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• At least one year of experience in fundraising, sales, sports marketing or a related field.
• Experience with managing multiple projects at the same time.
• Excellent written skills (finalists will be asked to provide writing samples for mock visit requests).
• Proven ability to build collaborative working relationships with staff, colleagues and others at previous place(s) of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading others and directing strategies, self-motivation and ability to motivate others, including alumni, coaches, and volunteers.
• Flexibility and willingness to change fundraising tactics and strategy mid-year to achieve stated program goals.
• Willingness and ability to travel largely within 200 miles of Muncie a couple times per year.
• Comfort with digital visits; knowledge of Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, NXT, and/or Fundraiser Performance Management.
• Understanding of the unique nature of athletics fundraising.
• Discretion and confidentiality in working with data and constituents.

Pay

$55,000 - $65,000

Benefits

• Paid 24 vacation days, 12 sick days, and 10 holidays per year.
• Paid parental leave (6 weeks).
• Affordable health and dental insurance.
• Robust long-term disability and life insurance plans.
• Range of retirement benefits to provide financial security.
• 90% coverage of your child’s (or children’s) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State.
• 100% coverage of your undergraduate tuition and 80% of your graduate tuition at Ball State, effective from the first day of employment.