Description

As we enter the third year of the public phase of Soaring Higher: the Campaign for Boston College, we invite you to join our community. Driven by our mission in ways that advance the university for years to come, priority areas for this $3B comprehensive campaign include Financial Aid, Academics, and Student Life.

Based on a fundamental Jesuit tenet of developing the whole person, University Advancement is large enough to benefit from many campus resources, yet small enough to be agile and creative in supporting all associates. With an average tenure of close to 10 years at Boston College, our 250-person centralized organizational structure offers a variety of roles across fundraising, alumni relations, operations, and communications and engagement. We invest in the professional growth of every staff member through individual and team-based programs. Likewise, we aim to attract the very best, seeking team members who are as ambitious and as committed to our team as we are. We value an inclusive culture while actively promoting team members who contribute to the success of University Advancement.

See below the current opportunity to begin (or return to!) your Boston College experience!

Job Description:

The Director for Major & Leadership Giving / Associate Athletics Director (herein referred to as “The Director”) will report to the Director, Athletic Development / Senior Associate Athletics Director. This position is responsible for the cultivation and solicitation of potential major gift donors to Boston College Athletics through both their own prospect portfolio work and the management of two Major Giving officers whose primary responsibility is to raise gifts for athletics from alumni and parent prospects rated $250K to $4.9M. The Director also manages a Senior Associate Director who maintains a Major Giving portfolio and oversees three Leadership Giving officers. The Director will manage a portfolio of approximately 100 major gift prospects and be responsible for individual visits and asks, securing at least $2.6M annually in philanthropic revenue.

Critical to the success of the Director will be the ability to effectively collaborate with fellow Athletics Administrators and Coaches, Regional Directors, the Director of Parent Development, as well as other advancement units including the Alumni Association, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Gift Planning, Leadership & Annual Giving, and School Development. Productivity will be measured through the growth of individual performance and athletics major gift commitments.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage individual portfolio of approximately 100 major & principal gift prospects and donors, with an emphasis on gifts of $250,000+. Successfully close at least $2.6 million in new commitments each year.
• Oversee, coach, and develop frontline staff who will carry a portfolio of athletic prospects capable of gifts of $250K to $4.9M
• Devise overall strategies for the engagement and comprehensive solicitation of prospects to include other donors with significant designated interest in the enhancement of Boston College’s Athletic department.
• Develop substantive engagement opportunities that highlight the importance of support for the breadth of University Athletic programs, including varsity, club, and intramural sports and the building and ongoing improvement of facilities.
• Oversee and drive individual solicitation strategies including the utilization of Athletics Leadership and key Athletics volunteers when appropriate
• Effectively communicate the fundraising priorities for Athletics and the case for support to colleagues throughout University Advancement and to leverage the division’s collaborative spirit and processes to ensure increased fundraising revenue for Athletics, with a particular emphasis on multi-year commitments of greater than $250K to $4.9M.
• Partner and drive strategy for the BC Athletics major and principal gift prospect pool across University Advancement. In conjunction with the Sr. Associate AD for Development and Asst. AD for Annual & Leadership Giving, identify major and principal gift prospects and develop and implement strategies to optimize gift closures.
• Serve as fundraising liaison to assigned sports.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The salary range for this position is listed below, with the final salary based on various factors, including the candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and internal equity considerations.

Full-Time Equivalent Hiring Range: $144,450 to $180,550; salary commensurate with relevant experience.

Requirements

This position requires a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s preferred, with five to seven years of fundraising experience, preferably in a complex higher education environment; a proven track record of successfully soliciting and closing gifts over $250,000; and successful staff supervisory and development skills.  

The Director will have regular and close contact with University leadership and both internal and external constituents. Demonstrated commitment to contributing to an inclusive working environment is expected, as is excellence in interpersonal skills to provide quality customer service. Strong verbal and written communication skills are required. Must be able to interact with a wide variety of stakeholders and partners, including donors, and persons associated with the University community and Athletic Department.  

The Director must also have a working knowledge of NCAA and other compliance rules.  Familiarity with and significant interest in Division One Athletics is preferred.

Frequent travel, evening, and weekend work are required to successfully perform the duties of this position.  Additionally, attendance at all home football games (7) and most basketball and hockey (30+) games is necessary, as is attendance at periodic special events.   

Must be a team player who is highly motivated and dedicated to the goals of advancing higher education and have an appreciation for Jesuit Catholic education and the goals and values of Boston College

The office of University Advancement supports the mission of Boston College by promoting a culture of inclusion that values each individual. Our recruiting practices support that commitment to build teams reflecting our community: students, alumni, parents and friends of Boston College.