Assistant Director of Development, Athletics and Recreation

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Summary:

The Assistant Director of Development is a frontline fundraiser for Athletics and Recreation at American University. This position is responsible for meeting annual fundraising, solicitation, cash, pledge, and visit goals established by the Chief Development Officer. The Assistant Director manages a portfolio of 50–100 donors and prospects.

The Assistant Director is expected to personally manage these relationships by cultivating, soliciting, closing gifts, and stewarding alumni, parents, and friends of Athletics, as well as identifying and qualifying new prospects to strengthen the donor pipeline. The role also serves as the primary lead for donor hospitality, the Eagles Club Golf Classic, and other athletics fundraising events, while supporting sport-specific campaign initiatives and communications.

As a member of the Athletics external relations team, the Assistant Director works closely with coaches, staff, and the Central Development Office on prospect management, donor engagement, and stewardship strategies to advance the priorities of Athletics and Recreation.

In all these capacities, the Assistant Director participates in overall Office of Advancement activities in support of the broader objectives of the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations and the Director of Athletics.
 

Essential Functions:

1.) Annual Gift Fundraising/Stewardship

• The Assistant Director of Development is responsible for meeting annual gift, pledge, and cash revenue goals established by the Chief Development Officer for Athletics and Recreation. This position develops and executes strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual prospects, ensuring professional and timely communication, follow-up, and relationship management. The Assistant Director manages a portfolio of 50–100 prospects and is accountable for achieving personal goals in cultivation—including calls, emails, visits, and contacts—as well as solicitation activity and gift closure. All contacts, strategies, and proposals must be accurately documented in the CRM system, with regular updates to reflect portfolio status, strategic moves, and fundraising progress in accordance with university standards.

2.) Event Management

• The Assistant Director of Development coordinates the planning, communication, and execution of events, campaigns, and outreach for Athletics Advancement. Serving as the primary lead for donor hospitality, the Eagles Club Golf Classic, and other special events, this role ensures meaningful engagement opportunities for supporters.

3.) Communications

• The Assistant Director of Development leads advancement-related email communications for Athletics and Recreation, including sport-specific coach updates, Giving Day messaging, event invitations and tracking, and Athletics Director updates. Responsibilities include preparing and distributing fundraising and campaign materials, managing e-mail lists, applying best practices for effective email marketing, and utilizing multiple software platforms to support donor and event communications.

4.) Other Duties as Assigned

• Other duties as assigned in support of the broader objectives of the Chief Development Officer, Athletics.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• May supervise student workers.

Competencies:

• Acting Strategically.

• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions.

• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.

• Prioritizing and Organizing.

• Serving Customers.

• Acquiring and Analyzing Information.

• Displaying Creativity.

• Developing Plans.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-Time.

• 35 hours per week.

• Seasonal evening and weekend work for scheduled Athletics and University events and programs.

Salary Range:

• $58,000 - $63,000 annually.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

• 2 - 4 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree.

• Experience using fundraising databases, specifically Ellucian CRM Advanced, is preferred but not required.

Travel Required:

• This position may require travel outside the Washington metropolitan area 20% of the time.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Prior experience in development or another field (such as sales, marketing, public relations, alumni relations, event management) showing progressive responsibilities, and with demonstrated success in closing annual gifts.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills demonstrated by clear, concise, and persuasive writing, public speaking, and private discourse.

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and demonstrated experience successfully working with persons from diverse backgrounds.

• Excellent analytical, research, and time management skills.

• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment.

• High-level proficiency with MS Office programs (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point), fundraising systems (CRM Advance a plus), and e-communications strategies.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.