Come join the growing team at the UConn Foundation!

As the Director of Major Gifts for Athletics you will identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major ($50,000) and principle ($1,000,000 ) level donors. You will focus on cultivating rated and new prospects in the Fairfield County and New York metro areas, as well as other strategic areas. You will also provide support on unrestricted capital project initiatives, endowed scholarships, and special fundraising opportunities as defined by the Division of Athletics and will manage a caseload of 150-200 highly rated athletic prospects and donors.

In this role, you will:

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors with a focus on prospects/donors capable of making $25,000 - $1 million gifts.
• Develop engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for former student-athletes.
• Be responsible for supporting fundraising activities for assigned sports including working with coaches to engage former letterwinners and donors of the program.
• Participate in the strategic planning for Division of Athletics as it relates to fundraising. Works with the Senior Associate AD for Development as well as other athletics leadership team members to identify fundraising needs and help establish goals.
• Utilize priority points and transactional giving to help move individualized giving donors move into the major gift donor continuum.
• Collaborate with Foundation colleagues to generate new opportunities for athletic donor acquisition.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

To be successful in this role, you should:

• Value diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Have superb interpersonal skills and ability to build productive, beneficial relationships with a broad range of constituencies, excellent interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy.
• Have excellent written and verbal communications skills, including ability to effectively communicate University priorities to donors and prospects, and to positively represent the University and Foundation.
• Be able to handle multiple tasks, to assess and order priorities, and to track details in a fast-paced environment.
• Be able to work to the demands of the position which may exceed a 40-hour work week.
• Have a high level of motivation and confidence, as well as an ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Be willing to travel extensively and reliable personal transportation is required for this position.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license issued from state in which employee resides. Employee must maintain at their expense, automobile liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of $500,000 or a combination of umbrella and automobile liability insurance coverage of $500,000. A certificate of automobile insurance evidencing the limit, must be provided to the Foundation at hire and annually thereafter.

Education and Experience:

We provide a broad set of requirements to be inclusive of people of all backgrounds and experiences. If you think you have the skills for the position, we want to hear from you. Even if this is not the right role, we may know of opportunities elsewhere or have future opportunities that better match your skill set.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1-3 years’ experience in athletic fundraising, educational fundraising, or related field.
• Knowledge and understanding of priority point systems and concepts and their application as it relates to seating for donors and ticket holders at athletics events preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of a Division I athletics and NCAA rules and regulations.
• Proven proficiency in use of computers and information management tools including social media marketing.

Salary:

The expected salary for this position is $80,000 . It will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also placing an emphasis on internal equity.

Benefits:

Benefits start from day one. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans and will make an annual contribution to your health savings account if enrolled in one of the high-deductible health plans offered by the Foundation.

In addition, there are a few other perks to being a UConn Foundation employee:

We offer a generous contribution to your 403(b)-retirement plan to help you plan for retirement.

We place an emphasis on work/life balance. You will receive thirteen paid holidays, five weeks of paid time off per calendar year, and additional sick time.

We invest in your professional development. Aside from opportunities to participate in various trainings, committees, and conferences throughout the year, you will also be eligible for partial tuition reimbursement after one year of employment.

The UConn Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We celebrate diverse perspectives and are committed to a welcoming environment that will value your unique experiences and identity. We recognize that a true commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion requires ongoing education and action and we strive for continued growth each and every day.

Please inform a Human Resources Representative if you need assistance completing any forms or participating in any part of the application process due to a disability.