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Senior Director of Athletics Development/Senior Associate Director of Athletics

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Fordham University has retained the services of Beneficence Partners (https://www.bene-partners.com/) to conduct this search. Those interested in the search or who want to recommend someone for the role should contact Michael J. O’Neill , Founder and President, at (610) 360-2792 or mike.oneill@bene-partners.com.

Position Details

Position Information

About Fordham
Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its nine colleges and schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability; employee assistance program (EAP); tuition remission; and generous time off.

Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education.
Title of Position Senior Director of Athletics Development/Senior Associate Director of Athletics
Position Number A10250
FLSA Exempt
Scheduled Hours Per Week 35
Department Development - Athletics
Campus Rose Hill, Lincoln Center
Location Hybrid
Hybrid Policy: Please review the Hybrid Policy here.
Position Summary
The Senior Director of Athletics Development/Senior Associate Director of Athletics reports to the Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations. The Senior Director of Athletics Development/Senior Associate Director of Athletics is responsible for planning, managing, and executing athletic fundraising activities supporting the University’s tradition-rich athletics program comprising 22 intercollegiate and 14 club sports.

The Senior Director of Athletics Development/Senior Associate Director of Athletics supervises a team of four: a director of development, an associate director, and two assistant directors. Regular night and weekend work, attendance at athletics contests, and moderate travel will be expected.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement pursuant to University’s Hybrid/Remote Work Policy.
Essential Functions
  • Leads the continued and strategic growth of philanthropic revenue for the Department of Athletics through the expansion and integration of individual cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for donors across all Athletics portfolios.
  • Drives the prospect management and portfolio maintenance process for Athletics prospects concentrating on top-rated prospects in each giving tier. Implements regular reviews of giving dashboards and reports.
  • Ensures effective and efficient annual giving solicitation for the Athletic Development efforts via direct mail, phone, email, crowdfunding, giving days, and volunteer activity.
  • Oversees the production and updating of gift proposals, solicitation letters, gift acknowledgments, social media appeals, and other Athletics development-related materials.
  • Maintains working relationships with Athletics department leadership, coaches, University trustees, and other key stakeholders.
  • Directs the collaboration with DAUR in planning and executing cultivation, fundraising, and stewardship events; and works closely with the Alumni Relations team to plan and execute events in conjunction with games both in New York and throughout the U.S.
  • When appropriate, ensures that athletics has a meaningful presence at regional events, reunion events (Jubilee), and Homecoming.
  • Be an active leader during key athletic fundraising and donor cultivation opportunities/functions, including sporting events.
  • Partners with Planned Giving and other DAUR colleagues on blended gift efforts.


Fundraising Expectations:
  • Ensures the team consistently exceeds the annual individual and overall fundraising targets.
  • Personally cultivates, solicits, and stewards a portfolio of 100-125, $100,000+ donors/prospects.
  • Devises and executes individual engagement strategies for each prospect in their portfolio.
Essential Functions Note This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list.
The University may assign additional related duties as necessary.
Management Responsibilities Supervises the work of other Fordham employees who are individual contributors. Responsible for hiring, training and developing, managing performance and administering corrective action. Has significant input in compensation decisions.
Additional Functions
Required Qualifications: Education and Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, business, or related field.
  • Minimum of 10 years of fundraising experience, preferably in Athletics fundraising, or equivalent.
  • Capital campaign experience.
Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills
  • Proven track record of meeting fundraising goals.
  • Demonstrated success personally securing six and seven-figure commitments.
  • Strong time management and organizational skills.
  • Exceptional communication skills.
  • Demonstrates excellent judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
  • Promotes collegiality among team members.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
  • Keen eye for detail.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Passion for Fordham Athletics.
  • Proven track record for successfully translating strategic ideas into measurable results.
  • Familiarity with database and CRM tools (Ellucian CRM Advance, WebFocus, etc.).
Minimum Starting Salary $160,000
Maximum Starting Salary $180,000
Note Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills.
Is this a Union position? No
Posting Detail Information

Posting Number A567P
Number of Vacancies 1
Start Date ASAP
Posting Date 01/19/2024
Special Instructions
Fordham University has retained the services of Beneficence Partners (https://www.bene-partners.com/) to conduct this search. Those interested in the search or who want to recommend someone for the role should contact Michael J. O’Neill , Founder and President, at (610) 360-2792 or mike.oneill@bene-partners.com.
EEO Statement
Fordham University is committed to excellence through diversity and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.
 
Fordham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Physical Activity and Work Environment

Physical Activity

Sitting Nearly Continuously
Repetitive Hand Motion (such as typing) Nearly Continuously
Hearing, Listening, Talking Nearly Continuously
Standing Often
Walking Often
Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, squatting, Crouching, Crawling Often
Climbing stairs Seldom
Climbing ladders Not Required
Reaching overhead Seldom
Pulling, pushing Often
Shoveling Not Required
Lifting – up to 20 pounds Often
Lifting – up to 50 pounds Often
Lifting – over 50 pounds Not Required
Work Environment

Work Environment Office Environment:  Employees are protected from weather conditions or contaminants, but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents
  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter
Optional Documents

Supplemental questions you will be required to answer on the application (No action is needed on this page)

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
    • Public Job Posting
    • Internal Job Posting
    • Agency Referral
    • Advertisement/Publication
    • Personal Referral
    • Website
    • Other
  2. * Do you have a bachelor's degree?
    • Yes
    • No
  3. * How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?
    • 0-1
    • 1-3
    • 3-5
    • 5-7
    • 7+
  4. * Are you available to work in the evening (6 pm to 10 pm)?
    • Yes
    • No
  5. * Are you available to work weekends?
    • Yes
    • No
  6. * Are you a current employee of the university?
    • Yes
    • No