Associate Director, Major Gifts - Athletics

Department: Alumni Relations & Development
Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Please note: The target budgeted salary for this position is $88,000 - $90,000 annually. Offers will be based on candidate experience and education, as well as equity within Northwestern University.

About Alumni Relations and Development

Alumni Relations and Development appreciates that the collective sum of our individual differences, experiences, knowledge, and self-expression is crucial for our success. We strongly invite candidates of all backgrounds to apply and to participate fully and authentically in our workplace.

We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet 100% of the preferred qualifications.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Alumni Relations and Development is committed to genuine inclusion. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Elizabeth Frisch at efrisch@northwestern.edu. Consistent with its obligations under the law, Northwestern will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential job responsibilities.

Job Summary:

Identifies, cultivates & solicits major gift donors from prospect pool of alumni, friends, former student- athletes and season ticket holders of the University. Manages process & prospects which includes building a balanced portfolio through qualifying visits, cultivation of prospects, prospect solicitation that align with prospects passions and financial capacity, securing the commitment and stewarding current donors. May interface with deans, faculty, program directors and other University leaders to prepare them for prospect meetings and other solicitations.

This position is part of the Athletics development team and will report to the Director of Athletics in Alumni Relations and Development (ARD). Frequent travel to meet with prospects. Will be asked to work outside normal business hours to attend select Northwestern athletics events.

When applying, please submit a cover letter of interest.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Gathers data, assesses leads, and develops strategies designed to realize the current and life-time giving potential of individual prospects.
• Maintains consistent and appropriate contact.
• Facilitates or makes solicitations.
• Ensures effective stewardship.

Collaboration

• Involves moderate- to-high-level of collaboration with both internal department partners and moderate level of collaboration with broader University partners to identify & integrate resources in order to accomplish strategic goals & objectives.
• Ongoing key partnerships include:
  • Athletics and Recreation
  • Various teams within Alumni Relations and Development; Major Gifts, Annual Giving, Prospect Research and Management, Schools and Programs teams
• Will work directly with Deputy Director of Athletics and Legends on the Ryan Field Stadium project and completes other duties as assigned.

Prospects & Gifts

• Develops, plans & implements strategies, goals & approaches to close major gifts.
• Partners with other areas of development, specifically Annual & Planned Giving to coordinate contacts.
• Identifies, researches & personally solicits major gifts of $100K to $1M by managing a portfolio of approximately 75 prospects annually.
• Completes associated stewardship activities.
• Maintains up-to-date best practices and evaluates closed prospects.
• Recommends changes to enhance innovation, objectives & goals.
• Requires travel throughout the region or country.

Events

• Attends, supports, and builds relationships at NU Athletics games, contests, special events, and road games outside of normal work hours.

Administration

• Gathers, records and retrieves information about prospects and donors utilizing the University's donor and alumni tracking database, Internet, meetings with development staff, faculty, etc.
• Prepares contact reports on meetings and interactions with alumni.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, marketing or equivalent or 2 years equivalent experience in development function.
• 4 years development, marketing, sales or the equivalent experience is required.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Organization; analytical thinking; big-picture thinking; curiosity; independent teamwork/collaboration
• Strong written and verbal communication.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of collegiate athletics.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.