Assistant AD for Major Gifts

Build the future of VCU athletics. We are seeking a strategic, relationship-driven fundraiser to manage a portfolio of 90–125 high-capacity prospects and secure transformational gifts ($50,000+) for capital projects, endowments, and key athletic priorities. Working in close partnership with athletics leadership and university advancement, you will drive the philanthropic support that empowers our student-athletes and elevates our programs.

If you are a competitive closer passionate about leaving a lasting legacy in college sports, apply today.

The Assistant Athletic Director for Major Gifts is responsible for securing significant philanthropic support for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics through the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-capacity donors and prospects. This position manages a portfolio of approximately 90-125 individuals capable of making major philanthropic gifts (typically $50,000+), with a focus on advancing athletics priorities including capital projects, endowments, and programmatic initiatives. The role requires a strategic, relationship-driven approach and close collaboration with athletics leadership and university advancement. All philanthropic gifts are charitable in nature and are not contingent upon ticket purchases, seating, or other transactional benefits.

• Manage (identify, engage, cultivate, solicit, steward) a portfolio of approximately 90-125 of the top prospects with a giving capacity of $50,000 or greater; engage in discovery work to determine interest in VCU priorities;
• Solicit gifts at the  major gifts level (at or above $50k) through personal appointments, calls, and correspondence in order to obtain and/or increase donor contributions;
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors in support of athletics priorities, including capital projects, endowments, and programmatic initiatives.
• Independently identify major gift prospects through athletics engagement, professional networks, and external relationships in addition to collaboration with central advancement.
• Partner with Development and Alumni Relation’s Prospect Development department to ensure strategic and data-informed moves management for the athletics constituency;
• Apply a disciplined moves management approach to advance prospects through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship stages.
• Utilize personalized fundraising targets to communicate with Athletics leadership about fundraising effectiveness and for personal accountability.
• Develop and execute individualized engagement strategies to move prospects through the major gift pipeline and achieve fundraising goals.
• Travel to in-season and postseason athletic events, as appropriate, to support donor cultivation, engagement, and stewardship activities.
• Develop comprehensive, customized proposals aligned with donor interests and athletics priorities.
• Prepare and present proposals, gift agreements, and naming opportunities in coordination with athletics and university advancement leadership.
• Collaborate on naming opportunities, endowment structures, and complex gift arrangements, including pledges, multi-year commitments, and blended gifts.
• Play an active role in campaign strategy, including prospect segmentation, goal setting, tracking, and reporting.
• Participate in joint visits and coordinated solicitations for transformational gifts.
• Support engagement and strategy for top-tier donors in partnership with senior athletics leadership.
• Assist in preparing senior leadership (e.g., Athletic Director, President) for high-level donor meetings and solicitations.
• Secure philanthropic support for priority initiatives, including the continued development of the Athletic Village.
• Participate in regular prospect strategy and portfolio review meetings with athletics and advancement leadership.
• Provide stewardship support through impact reporting and coordination of donor recognition aligned with gift level and intent.

• Ensure compliance with University, DAR, State, Atlantic 10 Conference, and NCAA regulations related to development programs, cash management and gift management.
• Utilize the Talent@VCU performance management system for mid-year and/or annual performance reviews.
• Track donor activity, pipeline progression, and revenue outcomes within the CRM system and monitor progress toward major gift fundraising goals.
• Maintain accurate and current prospect records, ensuring proper documentation of contacts, strategies, and engagement activity within the CRM system.

Other duties as assigned

• Attend and participate in Campus, DAR, and Foundation staff meetings as frequently as possible to remain informed on institutional fundraising priorities and initiatives;
• Collaborate with Development and Alumni Relations teams, including planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, principal giving and presidential and university philanthropy to design donor-central strategies that maximize giving and engagement. Partner on joint cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing or related field or an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills and experience;
• 3 years of professional experience in athletics development;
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating leadership annual fund gifts (<$5,000)
• Experience in stewardship, alumni/donor relations, and/or advancement;
• Excellent customer service and verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to create and maintain positive relationships with a wide variety of internal and external constituents;
• Ability to manage time efficiently, prioritize work and handle multiple projects simultaneously;
• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends for special events
• Knowledge of and proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, competent in software word processing and spreadsheet programs;
• Ability to communicate effectively, engage in effective problem solving and priority setting, function independently and demonstrate initiative;
• Ability to work as an effective team member, identify and meet continuous quality improvement goals;
• High level of organizational skills; ability to work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail;
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in communications, marketing or related field or an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills and experience;
• 5 or more years of professional or internship experience in front line fundraising work, customer relations, or sales-related field
• Personal attributes: Honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, team player, follow through and commitment, attention to detail, and self-confidence;
• Professional credibility is required to engage and leverage senior leadership, volunteer leadership, and other key stakeholders;