Exec SR Associate Director of Athletics/Deputy Chief Advancement Officer

Exec SR Associate Director of Athletics/Deputy Chief Advancement Officer

Division Intercollegiate Athletics

Job Summary

This position will serve as the second-in-command for the Office of Athletics Development (OAD) within the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA). The individual will contribute to developing fundraising strategy for OAD, including any upcoming campaigns. The position will manage a portfolio of prospective donors for DIA, with a primary focus on major gifts. This position will also oversee the major gift officer team, assisting gift officers with developing and executing strategy for the discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donor prospects, locally, regionally, and nationally. Finally, this position will lead DIA's hospitality efforts and will oversee service and stewardship of DIA's extensive premium seating portfolio.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Major Gift Work -
  • Identify, assess, analyze, and design appropriate strategies for approaching prospects and donors and making the vitally important match between donors’ philanthropic interests and the athletic department’s needs. Proactively manage a portfolio of 100 or more individual major gift prospects and donors (with an emphasis on gifts $100,000 and more), using a focused and accountable approach of strategy development and implementation
  • Share the DIA’s vision, mission, and goals with external stakeholders to foster deeper connections and inspire philanthropic support for fundraising initiatives. Creatively engage prospects with the Illinois Athletics and prepare faculty, staff, and volunteers to participate in cultivation and stewardship activities
  • Help implement fundraising campaigns as it relates to the University-wide campaign and assist in the beginning of the campus’ next fundraising campaign
  • Oversee campaign planning priorities and defining those areas, creating case for support and work to create the marketing materials for those initiatives. Create campaign calendar and communicate to OAD regarding campaign planning
  • Sell premium seating opportunities for Memorial Stadium and State Farm Center with portfolio and prospects.
  • Help develop geographic area goals in partnership with the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director – Development
  

Exec SR Associate Director of Athletics/Deputy Chief Advancement Officer

Division Intercollegiate Athletics

Job Summary

This position will serve as the second-in-command for the Office of Athletics Development (OAD) within the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA). The individual will contribute to developing fundraising strategy for OAD, including any upcoming campaigns. The position will manage a portfolio of prospective donors for DIA, with a primary focus on major gifts. This position will also oversee the major gift officer team, assisting gift officers with developing and executing strategy for the discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donor prospects, locally, regionally, and nationally. Finally, this position will lead DIA's hospitality efforts and will oversee service and stewardship of DIA's extensive premium seating portfolio.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Major Gift Work -
  • Identify, assess, analyze, and design appropriate strategies for approaching prospects and donors and making the vitally important match between donors’ philanthropic interests and the athletic department’s needs. Proactively manage a portfolio of 100 or more individual major gift prospects and donors (with an emphasis on gifts $100,000 and more), using a focused and accountable approach of strategy development and implementation
  • Share the DIA’s vision, mission, and goals with external stakeholders to foster deeper connections and inspire philanthropic support for fundraising initiatives. Creatively engage prospects with the Illinois Athletics and prepare faculty, staff, and volunteers to participate in cultivation and stewardship activities
  • Help implement fundraising campaigns as it relates to the University-wide campaign and assist in the beginning of the campus’ next fundraising campaign
  • Oversee campaign planning priorities and defining those areas, creating case for support and work to create the marketing materials for those initiatives. Create campaign calendar and communicate to OAD regarding campaign planning
  • Sell premium seating opportunities for Memorial Stadium and State Farm Center with portfolio and prospects.
  • Help develop geographic area goals in partnership with the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director – Development
  • Develop appropriate reporting of activity and monitoring of resources or expenditures associated with program and portfolio
  • Facilitate effective collaborative relationships with other advancement offices across campus, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement (OVCIA), the University of Illinois Foundation, and the University of Illinois Alumni Association
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with academic and other unit colleagues on campus, by demonstrating leadership in the advancement community
• Management -
  • Serve on, and contribute to, DIA’s Executive Staff, with visibility and input into DIA’s overarching strategy in all facets of its operation
  • Manage, train, provide oversight and evaluate a team of Major Gift Officers
  • Partner with gift officers on the development strategy for major prospects
  • Collaborate with gift officers on events and activities that assist with fundraising and engagement
  • In conjunction with the Chief Development Officer, develop annual fundraising goals for major gift officers
• Premium Seating Stewardship, Service, and Operations -
  • Oversee all aspects of premium seating operations, including luxury suites, club seating, and hospitality areas, for all home athletic events.
  • Create and execute various stewardship initiatives for donors and premium seating participants.
  • Collaborate with development and ticketing teams to support donor outreach, renewals, and premium sales initiatives.
  • Monitor feedback and conduct post-event evaluations to enhance the premium experience and address areas for improvement.
  • Coordinate catering logistics and decisions with the food and beverage provider for all of the premium areas.
• Other advancement duties as needed

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum of 3 years of successful advancement and/or hospitality experience, preferably in a higher education environment. Documented success as a fundraiser, preferably in higher education. Advanced experience analyzing and implementing strategic development activities. Experience working collaboratively and independently with a diverse constituency exhibiting a high level of sophistication and maturity in social and professional settings, particularly among high-net-worth individuals

Preferred Qualifications

5 years of successful advancement and/or hospitality experience. Supervisory, management experience, which may overlap with advancement work experience. Experience managing volunteer groups effectively, including advisory boards and councils. Experience in, and understanding of, the evolving landscape of high-major intercollegiate athletics.

Training, Licenses or Certifications:: Completion of Plus Delta Discipline of Frontline Fundraising program or similar training in academic advancement best practices.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• • Demonstrated ability to build trusting partnerships across all stakeholders, create impactful donor experiences, and work with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion • Knowledge and/or experience working in the major components of advancement including development, communications and public relations, alumni engagement, and special events • Knowledge of planned giving fundraising vehicles • Ability to function effectively in a large, de-centralized environment • Demonstrate knowledge about advancement and alumni relations. Excellent presentation skills and superior communication skills
• Championship Mindset and Expectations Understands and displays professionalism and integrity that builds and maintains trust between student-athletes and fellow DIA staff; Prioritizes and contributes to the life changing student-athlete experience; Adheres to University, DIA, Big Ten, and NCAA rules and regulations; Commitment to the Athletics Department and University’s mission and values; Flexible to various scheduling to include nights, weekend work and some holidays, team travel; and Maintain professional competency and skills required for professional practice.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 8/1/2025. Salary is commensurate with experience. The salary range for this position is $200,000 to $205,000.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on July 10, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Krissy Doran at kdoran@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID : 1031666
Job Category : Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

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