Assistant Director, Development and Alumni Engagement – Athletics

The Assistant Director, Development and Alumni Engagement is a key member of the Athletics Development team within the Department of Alumni Relations (DAR) at Vanderbilt University. This position will focus on securing philanthropic gifts, enhancing alumni engagement, and expanding annual giving programs to drive greater levels of support. The Assistant Director will be responsible for soliciting gifts of $25,000 and larger to benefit Vanderbilt University, and increasing engagement with former student-athletes through the Black & Gold Club.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Serve as a Vanderbilt Athletics brand ambassador to student-athlete alumni for assigned sports, through effective, timely and of-service communication.
• Collaborate with the communications team to develop and implement a comprehensive communications plan for assigned sports.
• Collaborate with the special events team to plan, promote, and execute student-athlete alumni events for assigned sports.
• Responsible for event marketing and responding professionally and timely to alumni.
• Manage volunteer communities for assigned sports to increases alumni participation and engagement through peer-to-peer outreach.
• Cultivate relationships with alumni through activities such as birthday cards, care packages, thank you gifts, stewardship, and planning special donor events such as lunches and dinners.
• Maintain alumni lists, volunteer lists, event calendars, timelines & event attendance.
• Assist with ad hoc data analysis, reports, and requests such as alumni and donor lists.

Experience and Skills:

• Two years of development or relevant experience, or the equivalent, is necessary.
• Two or more years of experience in development or alumni relations preferred, with direct donor contact experience.
• Willingness and ability to personally solicit gifts of $25,000 and larger.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills and judgment suitable for exercising appropriate discretion and demeanor when dealing with alumni, parents, friends, and employees.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in the handling of confidential information.
• Ability to use current computer technology, such as Windows, Excel, Word, and Vanderbilt’s donor management system.
• Experience with trip planning, domestic travel, and scheduling “discovery” appointments with individuals (i.e., donors, prospects, clients, customers that applicant may have never met before).
• Exhibit personal characteristics enabling effective interaction with important constituencies and possess a genuine commitment to the advancement of education, research, and to the principles governing Development and Alumni Relations.