Associate Athletic Director of Development

The Associate Athletic Director of Development oversees and leads all aspects of fundraising efforts for the Air Force Athletics department.  This position will lead strategic planning, goal setting, campaign planning and execution and budget management, while supervising the development staff and managing an active donor and prospect portfolio.  This position will collaborate closely with coaches, staff, donors, and alumni to ensure that all fundraising efforts and revenue generation opportunities are maximized. The position is also responsible for the coordination of all annual fund and major gift proposals, solicitations, and stewardship.  This position will collaborate with the athletic ticket office to oversee premium seating sales to include Air Force football, hockey, basketball and other select events.

This position works closely and collaboratively with the AFAAC CEO and the Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations to further the vision of Air Force Athletics and the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation while driving philanthropic support and generating incremental revenue.

Essential functions include, but are not limited to:

·         Leading a comprehensive development program that supports Air Force Athletics fundraising and Air Force Academy Athletic Corporate revenue generating priorities.

·         Serve as the department lead for athletic development with oversight of the Falcon Athletic Fund and development team to include major giving, annual fund, stewardship and other special projects.

·         Develops fundraising strategic plans and recommendations for the Director of Athletics, CEO of the AFAAC, and the Senior Associate AD for External Operations.

·         Lead all major gift fundraising efforts with oversight of the Thin Air Society.

·         Continue the growth and development of a high functioning annual fund in support of Air Force cadet-athletes.

·         Responsible for establishing goals for development officers and personal fundraising objectives and expectations. 

·         Solicit prospects and current donors as appropriate and qualify major gift prospects to secure philanthropic investments in support of Air Force Athletics fundraising priorities.

·         Mentor and lead 8+ full time staff members to grow techniques and strategies while maximizing productivity.  Provide performance evaluations, leadership, coaching to enhance revenue generation potential.

·         Work with development staff, coaches and administrators to develop and manage athletic events and activities that further development goals, objectives, and generate revenue.

·         Oversight of premium seating sales.  Works closely with the athletic ticket office and development team to drive revenue and maximize premium seating inventory, with a focus on Air Force Athletics’ new football premium seating offering, the East Club presented by L3Harris at the Kucera Legacy Center. 

·         Collaborate with the ticket operations and sales teams to identify and solicit donors that are also premium seating purchasers. 

·         Identify and capitalize on fundraising and revenue generating opportunities and projects with the external operations teams. 

·         Assist with planning and execution of special events to drive philanthropic and premium seating revenue. 

·         Clearly and professionally articulate Air Force Athletics and Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation vison and fundraising priorities to external and internal stakeholders.

·         With staff, plan and execute donor hospitality events for football, hockey, basketball, and other special events. 

·         In consultation with the Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations, the Associate Athletic Director will establish aggressive personal and departmental goals, objectives and comprehensive strategies.

·         Performs additional duties and special projects as assigned. 

Required Qualifications:

·         Bachelor’s degree.

·         7+ years of related experience in professional or intercollegiate athletics annual and major gift fundraising, sales, or external revenue generating functions.

·         Strong leadership, organizational, and management skills.

·         Attention to detail.

·         Problem solving and ability to use data to guide analytical decision making.

·         Ability to create a major gift and annual giving plan while leading, managing, coaching, and motivating a development team to execute departmental initiatives.

·         Strong relationship building skills.

·         Team player, who leads by example, and works cooperatively and collaboratively with other business units. 

·         Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

·         Experience with CRM communication and marketing. 

·         Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment.

·         Documented track record of fundraising and revenue generating success. 

·         Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays depending on work and game schedules. 

·         Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, work as part of a team and motivate staff in a fast-paced environment. 

·         Understands and upholds standards befitting USAFA and Air Force Athletics.

Preferred Qualifications:

·         Master’s Degree or greater.

·         10+ years of professional experience in a professional sport organization, NCAA Division-1 intercollegiate athletics department or at an institution of higher education in an external revenue generating capacity. 

·         Experience in planning and implementing, and soliciting major gift and annual fund initiatives, including the implementation of giving strategies, events, and stewardship.

·         Familiarity with Paciolan and Salesforce and other CRM systems.

Salary Range: $100,000-110,000