University of Michigan

Director of Development, Associate Athletic Director

Intercollegiate Athletics

Working Title

: 

Director of Development, Associate Athletic Director

Posting Number

: 

56824

Job Category

: 

Administrative, Fundraising - Director of Development

Reports To

: 

Director of Athletics

Experience Range

: 

7 to 10 Years

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

To apply for this position, please submit your cover letter and resume as one document on the University of Michigan Careers at the U site.

If you are unable to apply via the U-M Jobs site, please submit your cover letter and resume to dev.careers@umich.edu. In the subject line, please type in the Job ID# for which you are applying.

For questions about the U-M application process, please refer to the FAQ page

Position Description

The University of Michigan Athletic Department is seeking a highly-talented Director of Development/ Associate Athletic Director.  The Director of Development leads a development and fundraising team dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and care for fans/alumni who invest in the betterment of the Athletics Department and the student-athlete experience.

The Director of Development is responsible for leading all fundraising activities, planning and executing all hosting and hospitality events, assist in the marketing of all premium seating at all venues, effectively provide constituency database management, and manage the department’s courtesy car program. This results-oriented individual maintains executive responsibility for the planning, implementation, and management of these critical aspects of the department’s development activities. 

The Director of Development directly reports to the Director of Athletics and serves as a member of the Director of Athletics Leadership Team. The Director of Development leads a team of nine full-time team members and also represents the Athletics Department with the Office of University Development.  The Director also serves as a liaison with Head Coaches and other key team members in the areas of fundraising and fan/alumni relations.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Fundraising/Development Responsibilities

• Works with the Director of Athletics to create an annual development plan with strategic initiatives and annual objectives for fundraising programs in support of the department priorities. 
• Implements a comprehensive growth-oriented development program for the Athletic Department consistent with the long-range goals and annual objectives of the Department.  
• Partners with the Athletic Director and University leadership to plan and implement the department’s portion of the next comprehensive University campaign. 
• Establishes an accountability system with clearly defined fundraising goals, objectives, and measures for department’s development officers and team members.  Regularly evaluates programs and assesses progress toward goals and objectives.
• Ensures that all development team members comply with the University and Department policies and standards governing development.
• Provides professional fundraising guidance to the Athletic Director, Leadership Team, and Head Coaches.  Makes regular reports on results vs. objectives to the Athletic Director and Leadership Team. 

People and Team Member Development 

• Recruits, selects, evaluates, and recommends for hire the most talented and highly qualified team members for all development and support staff roles.
• Actively leads, manages, coaches, and provides regular feedback to the development team regarding their progress toward objectives.
• Delegates roles and makes job assignment decisions.
• Leads a highly driven, mission focused development team that is collaborative, team oriented, and embraces change and innovation.
• Develops and implements recognition and reward strategies for all development team members.
• Holds all team members accountable for meeting department and individual objectives.
• Conducts annual performance reviews for every development team member.

 Fundraising Reporting

• Establishes appropriate mechanisms for the reporting of department’s fundraising results, including all cash receipts, life income gifts, bequests and other expectancies, pledges, gifts-in-kind, and all other fundraising progress in collaboration with the University of Michigan.
• Develops and administers the development team’s operating budget (approximately $1.8 million)

 Secures Major Gifts from Individuals, Corporations, and Foundations

• Provides primary staff support to the Director of Athletics with regard to philanthropic activities.
• Actively manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors by personally participating in their cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Assigns major gift prospects to professional staff.
• Collaborates with the Office of Gift Planning in the Office of University Development, ensures a productive pipeline of planned gift donors to enhance long-term financial resources for Athletic Department priorities.
• Ensures the cooperative participation of the Athletic Development Department in the University’s prospect management and tracking system.
• Maintains overall responsibility for the department’s donor relations program, including the planning and staffing of all donor cultivation and stewardship efforts.
• Builds strong and mutually beneficial relationships within the community, including donors, alumni, business and community leaders, and the University Alumni Association.
• Represents the department at public functions and special events as appropriate.
• Has a solid understanding of how to utilize and implement various media channels and emerging technologies to raise funds for the department.

 Create and implement programs and strategies that maintain and enhance critical gift revenue from premium seating in all athletic venues:

• Develop plans and communication strategies to expose premium seating opportunities to fans and alumni through partnerships, print, internet, and event marketing channels.
• Actively manages the solicitation of first-time and renewal contributions for premium seating in football, men’s basketball, and ice hockey to secure gift revenue.
• Ensure strong attention to customer care for all stakeholder groups by creating clear communications and delivery of hospitality services during events.

 Manage the department’s courtesy car program in partnership with the Sports Administrators, Business Office, Chief Talent Officer, and individual Staff Recipients:

• Maintain and cultivate the car dealer relationships to secure their participation in the program.
• Ensure the development team is working with car dealers on multiple levels (vehicle GIK, major gifts, and gifts for premium seats).

 Serve as primary liaison with key constituency groups to manage their needs for athletic tickets:

• Manage the interactions and requests from the Regents Office, the President’s Office, the Office of University Development, the Alumni Association, M Club and other stakeholder groups for tickets and parking permits.

 Develop the department’s database management systems as a strategic tool for fundraising and communication.

• Ensure accurate records administration, data integrity, and meaningful reporting practices.
• Develop greater competency, strength, and understanding in the development team’s use of the data systems.
• Manage the transition from DAC to the DART system.

 Perform all other duties as assigned by the Athletic Director.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and considerable track record of success and experience in Development and Fundraising or a related field.

Additional Information

Salary based upon qualifications and experience.

Mission Statement

The Office of University Development maximizes private support for the University of Michigan through high-quality collaboration with the development programs of schools, colleges, and units. We also provide fundraising leadership through the stimulation and facilitation of healthy, productive and life-long relationships with our colleagues, alumni, friends, foundations and corporations.

U-M EEO/AA Statement: The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.