The Assistant Director of Development, Brown Univ. Sports Foundation is primarily responsible for growing fundraising for 1-3 varsity sports upwards of $1.5M – $2.0M+ in new gifts and pledges for current-use annual support as well as increasing support for endowment and capital projects, as needed. The incumbent is responsible for making approximately 100+ face-to-face visits annually with assigned sports prospects to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward through the giving cycle; execute a minimum of 20 – 25 comprehensive proposals; qualify newly identified prospects as future potential major donors; and secure unrestricted annual gifts as prospects are cultivated towards a major gift. 

Other responsibilities include effective collaboration and partnership across the Division of Advancement with all frontline fundraisers to develop comprehensive strategies for prospects within their assigned sports purview including alumni, parents and friends of the Athletics community; management of the Sports Association volunteers and committees for sports assigned; planning and managing regional events in close coordination with Associate Director of Engagement Programs in support of engagement, cultivation and stewardship of constituents; and recording activities, contacts, proposals and strategic plans in the donor database.

This position requires in-depth knowledge of the University, its initiatives and its internal and external constituents to serve as a liaison between and representative of the Division of Advancement and Brown’s alumni, parents and friends. The Assistant Director of Development, Brown Univ. Sports Foundation routinely interacts with a variety of University leaders, including those in Advancement leadership, the Vice President for Athletics and Recreation and Athletics Executive Leadership Team, Alumni Relations and others.  

This position is based in Brown University’s Providence, RI office.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in fundraising or a related field such as development, nonprofit, higher education, sales, customer relations, volunteer management, etc.

Required Qualifications

• Proven ability to solicit and close philanthropic gifts on the $50,000+ level, or equivalent experience in a related field such as sales.
• Strong organizational as well as excellent written and oral communication skills, team-building skills, and demonstrating tact, poise and diplomacy while working with a wide variety of personalities. Ability and comfort in meeting and interacting with individuals of considerable social status and affluence is required. 
• Working knowledge of electronic mail and calendars, the Windows environment, including Google Workspace, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access, and other software such as FileMaker Pro, donor databases.  Comfortable with various data management systems; computer savvy.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of internal and external constituents and stakeholders of the University.
• Must be able and willing to work evenings and weekends regularly. Must be able and willing to travel frequently throughout the United States to attend relevant programs and events and to meet with current and prospective athletics donors and leadership volunteers to further cultivation and solicitation strategies with the ability to initiate, collaborate, implement, monitor, evaluate and advance strategic plans that support the activities of the program and contribute to the overall goals and objectives of Advancement and the fundraising enterprise.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Demonstrated knowledge or prior experience working in College Athletics. 
• Experience in a higher education or non-profit setting is preferred.
• Knowledge of Brown University is highly desired.  

Job Competencies

• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), including experience/ability to identify and emphasize diverse perspectives in programming, communications, and strategy.
• Superior interpersonal skills with proven ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies in a professional manner, exhibiting high levels of integrity. 
• Ability to apply good judgment and proven responsible decision-making skills; tact and discretion are required to deal with highly confidential alumni, parent, student, family, donor and prospect information.
• Detail-oriented, self-starter with a demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and priorities to meet aggressive timelines and challenging deadlines. 
• Ability to be sensitive and diplomatic when working with a vast number of volunteers and donors.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with accuracy; Accuracy and attention to detail is essential.

Candidates please note: all offers of employment are contingent upon a completed criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown.

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter and resume with their application.

EEO Statement:

Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.

As an EEO/AA employer, Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste, which is protected by our University policies.