Assistant/Associate Athletic Director for Development

The Assistant/Associate Athletic Director will lead NKU Athletics’ fundraising strategy, working in partnership with the Assistant Vice President of Development and Vice President and Director of Athletics and to significantly grow philanthropic support over the next 1-3 years.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as a member of Athletics Senior Staff; work within this team to facilitate the long-term visioning of the program, the expansion of the donor pipeline, and support of short-term priorities as appropriate (including NIL efforts).
• Serve as a senior fundraising leader on the University Development team; set an example of professionalism and performance and collaborate with fellow gift officers on mutually beneficial relationships and gift opportunities.
• Prepare the annual fundraising plan, set fundraising goals, and articulate philanthropic priorities for the athletics development team in full partnership with the Assistant Vice President of Development and Director of Athletics.
• Oversee all development activities for NKU Athletics, including annual giving, major gifts, engagement of program alumni, patrons and donors, and donor relations.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive donor pipeline strategy to elevate annual giving efforts and ensure long-term growth and sustainability.
• Personally qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gifts through personal visits to alumni, season ticket-holders, patrons, parents and corporate partners to increase philanthropic support and an expanded major and principal gift pipeline. A pace of at least 20-25 substantive interactions per month is expected.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 7 years of progressive fundraising or business development experience, including 2+ years in a leadership/management role; or Master’s degree with at least 5 years of progressive fundraising or business development experience, including 2+ years in a leadership/management role, is required.
• Demonstrated success in securing major gifts ($25K+), with a preference for experience in collegiate athletics fundraising.
• Strong leadership, team management, and staff development skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building abilities, and the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of individuals.
• Enhanced skills to adapt in rapidly evolving environments and high level of emotional intelligence to thrive in complex institutions.