Associate Director, Development and Alumni Engagement – Athletics

The Associate Director, Development and Alumni Engagement in the Athletics Development department will be responsible for soliciting both major gifts and leadership annual gifts for Vanderbilt University, with a focus on outright gifts and pledges to the Athletics program in support of all Vanderbilt student athletes. In addition, this position will be responsible for increasing engagement with Vanderbilt University with a particular focus on former student-athletes through the Black & Gold Club.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Conducting 120-150 visits annually with prospects capable of making annual gifts and pledges of $25,000+ as well as visits with prospects capable of making $100k+ (visits are anywhere around the country and locally)
• Effectively communicating results of prospect visits to appropriate personnel, such as other development staff, with particular emphasis on major donor prospect identification.
• Qualifying major donor prospects each year.
• Managing a portfolio of approximately 100-125 prospects and donors
• Using data to identify prospects for leadership annual gifts.
• Manage information flow for Salesforce Affinaquest (Development CRM Database).

Experience and Skills:

• Four years of relevant experience, or the equivalent, is necessary.
• Two or more years of experience in development or alumni relations preferred, with direct donor solicitation experience.
• Willingness and ability to personally solicit gifts of $25k or $100k 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.
• Fundraising experience within higher education preferred.
• 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).
• Value of the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.