Assistant Athletic Director for Development

Summary

This position will:

• Cultivate, solicit, secure, and steward major gifts ($25,000 and greater) achieving and exceeding annual goals such as 10 prospect moves per month, 15 proposal submissions of $25,000 or more annually with a 50% closure rate
• Actively engage a prospect portfolio of 80 individuals/households, working with directors, other campus leaders, and the Advancement team on unique donor strategies
• Be expected to travel to meet prospects and attend events
• Be responsible for recruiting members to the Falcon Club with leadership annual gifts ($1,000 - $10,000) and Champions Circle gifts ($10,000+)
• Assist with coordination of Falcon Club hospitality areas
• Assist with Falcon Club membership renewal solicitations via direct mail, e-appeals, and personal visits; assisting the Office of Annual Giving with phonathon appeals

Essential Functions

• Develop and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies for assigned prospects with the ultimate goal of closing the gift. Advance relationships with prospective donors and current donors through appropriate stages of qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Collaborate with the appropriate staff in the development of prospect strategies and the relationship building process. Utilize the full complement of fundraising “moves”, including personal visits.
• Meet annual visit goals through personal travel/interaction, virtual meetings, or substantive phone calls.

Summary

This position will:

• Cultivate, solicit, secure, and steward major gifts ($25,000 and greater) achieving and exceeding annual goals such as 10 prospect moves per month, 15 proposal submissions of $25,000 or more annually with a 50% closure rate
• Actively engage a prospect portfolio of 80 individuals/households, working with directors, other campus leaders, and the Advancement team on unique donor strategies
• Be expected to travel to meet prospects and attend events
• Be responsible for recruiting members to the Falcon Club with leadership annual gifts ($1,000 - $10,000) and Champions Circle gifts ($10,000+)
• Assist with coordination of Falcon Club hospitality areas
• Assist with Falcon Club membership renewal solicitations via direct mail, e-appeals, and personal visits; assisting the Office of Annual Giving with phonathon appeals

Essential Functions

• Develop and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies for assigned prospects with the ultimate goal of closing the gift. Advance relationships with prospective donors and current donors through appropriate stages of qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Collaborate with the appropriate staff in the development of prospect strategies and the relationship building process. Utilize the full complement of fundraising “moves”, including personal visits.
• Meet annual visit goals through personal travel/interaction, virtual meetings, or substantive phone calls.
• Constituent Engagement
• Follow all established processes and policies as established by University and Advancement leadership.
• Manage major projects that benefit both the athletics department and serve as a cultivation, stewardship piece for BGSU alumni and friends.
• Work with assigned sports to develop fundraising priorities and plans to cultivate, solicit and steward sport alumni.
• Actively participate in University Advancement activities and meetings including, but not limited to, division meetings, strategic planning sessions, prospect management meetings, and team collaboration meetings.
• Actively participate in Intercollegiate Athletics activities and meetings including, but not limited to, all staff meetings, strategic planning sessions, prospect management meetings, and home and road BGSU athletics events which provide opportunities to advance relationships with major gift prospects.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

The following Degree is required:

• Bachelor's Degree

The following Experience is required:

• 2 years experience in fund development including solicitation of gifts and/or related work experience (e.g. Public relations, marketing/sales) with demonstrated success.

The following Licensure, Certifications, or Registration is required:

• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and comply with the university’s vehicle use policy.

Additional Information

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical and organizational skills
• Ability to multitask
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, database, and email applications
• Ability to work with a wide variety of people with broad backgrounds and experiences
• Ability to comprehend and understand the needs and interests of major donors/prospects in order to develop relationships between donors/prospects and the University
• Ability to articulate the case for support so that individuals “buy into” the vision/mission/goals of the university and understand with sufficient effectiveness to secure gifts and pledges of $25,000 or more
• Knowledge of CASE guidelines and industry best practices for fund raising

Application Deadline

The search committee will review applications until the position is filled; however, for best consideration, applications should be provided by June 19, 2026.

Required Application Materials & Evaluation

• Experience must be fully documented on the official application.
• The application will be used to evaluate if candidates meet the minimum requirements for the position and for consideration when determining starting pay rate.
• Experience requirements are inclusive of relevant professional experience, or experience attained through relevant internships, co-ops, student employment positions, or graduate assistantships.

Uploads

• Required: Resume (for supplemental information only)
• Optional: Cover Letter

Essential Requirement: Work Authorization

BGSU does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.

Bowling Green State University is an equal opportunity employer. The University is committed to maintaining an employment and educational environment that is free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of protected class: age (40 years of age or older), ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity and expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, marital status, military status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

EEOC Know Your Rights

OCRC Know Your Rights

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Bowling Green State University, please call 419-372-8421 or email ohr@bgsu.edu.

BGSU is an E-Verify employer. If hired into this position, you will be required to provide satisfactory proof of employment eligibility by providing acceptable, original forms of identification for employment verification via the Federal I-9 employment verification process. A list of acceptable documents can be seen here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

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