Director of Athletic Advancement

Overview

The Director of Athletic Advancement is primarily in charge of formulating and overseeing the university's athletic fundraising initiatives. This includes managing donor relationships, running the Bear Club campaigns, and driving annual, leadership, and major gift donations directed towards athletic priorities.

Functioning as the main staff authority on athletic fundraising, this role operates with significant autonomy to nurture donor connections, set fundraising priorities, and ensure financial targets are achieved. Close collaboration with the Athletic Director and coaching personnel is essential to synchronize fundraising efforts with athletic program requirements. Additionally, this role partners with the broader Advancement team to harmonize fundraising strategies and enhance donor engagement.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and administer fundraising goals and tactical plans for annual, leadership, and major gift campaigns, consistently monitoring progress and adjusting approaches to meet revenue expectations.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects capable of providing substantial philanthropic contributions to athletics.
• Manage a personal portfolio of donors and prospects, facilitating ongoing relationship building and growth in giving opportunities.
• Lead and expand the Bear Club through membership growth, retention initiatives, and engagement plans to bolster philanthropic support.
• Organize events and initiatives aimed at maintaining and increasing donor engagement and fundraising outcomes.
• Maintain enduring relationships with athletic donors, alumni, and supporters to ensure continued giving and involvement.
• Act as the primary conduit to the Athletic Director and coaching staff to discern funding priorities and ensure alignment of fundraising activities with program needs.
• Advise athletics staff on donor relations and fundraising best practices to promote coordinated efforts.
• Work with Advancement personnel to guarantee precise documentation and tracking of donor activities and congruence with institutional fundraising strategies.
• Track, measure, and report athletic fundraising results, focusing on revenue, donor engagement, and progress toward funding goals.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven capacity to create and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for building and sustaining relationships with donors and stakeholders.
• Strong independent work ethic with experience managing a portfolio of donors and prospects.
• Effective communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate seamlessly with Athletics leadership and the Advancement team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Communications, Marketing, Sports Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of six years of relevant experience in fundraising or development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Experience specifically in athletics fundraising.
• Knowledge of the NCAA Division II setting.
• Familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
• Experience with fundraising data reporting.

Additional Information

Position will remain open until filled; early applications are encouraged by August 3, 2026.

Location of the position is Portsmouth, Ohio, and it requires full-time onsite presence.