The Director of the Annual Fund (“Director”) provides overall strategy, leadership, and direction for George Mason University Intercollegiate Athletics annual giving program, the Patriot Club. The Director implements, directs, and coordinates the day-to-day operations of this comprehensive annual fund program, and provides leadership to the annual fund team. The Director oversees the strategy and implementation of all Patriot Club activities, to include priority seating/parking benefits as well as special interest groups such as sport specific giving, former student-athlete campaigns and others as identified. Primary responsibilities include creating mass campaigns and targeted efforts to grow Patriot Club engagement. In addition, the Director maintains a portfolio of 30-50 leadership annual giving prospects. The Director reports to the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development/Director of Development and ensures that goals and objectives are met with strict adherence to NCAA and Atlantic 10 rules and regulations.

Responsibilities:

• Direction and Management of the Annual Fund/Patriot Club:
  • Leads and manages the annual fund team;
  • Develops the annual fund plan with specific goals and performance metrics;
  • Directs the comprehensive strategy and implementation of all annual fund activities and communications to include:
    • Patriot Club member benefits;
    • Priority seating/parking benefits/basketball season ticket renewals;
    • Special interest groups such as sport specific giving, former student-athlete campaigns and others as identified;
  • Collaborates with Athletics Communications and Marketing to develop and execute Annual Fund/Patriot Club communications; and
  • Works closely with the major gifts team to ensure alignment and movement of annual fund donors into the major gift pipeline. 
• Maintain Personal Leadership Annual Fund Portfolio:
  • Develops and implements successful strategies for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors and prospects at annual giving levels;
  • Maintains a diverse portfolio of 30-50 leadership annual fund suspects, prospects, and donors;
  • Develops and cultivates new prospective donor relationships and strives to expand the annual fund donor base;
  • Manages the major donor pipeline, identifying annual donors to move to the major gifts team; and
  • Consistently documents donor activity in the donor database 
• Coordination with Central Advancement:
  • Coordinates fundraising with other departments and utilizes services as appropriate;
  • Ensures consistent and adequate communication between School/Unit and Central Advancement; and
  • Works closely with Central Advancement services, specifically Central Advancements Annual Fund team, when initiating annual fund appeals that should align with Central Advancement’s efforts. In addition, as necessary, including, but not limited to, Planned Giving, Parents and Family Philanthropy, University Priorities, Alumni Relations, Communications, Systems, Operations, Donor Relations, Gifts and Records, etc. 
• Other Duties as Assigned:
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job description. 

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field with considerable applicable experience in athletics, development, annual giving, sales, managing alumni/constituent affairs, special events, and/or volunteer management; or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill, and abilities have been achieved;
• Experience using a CRM software system, Microsoft Office and other content creation platforms (i.e. Adobe Photoshop, Canva, ThankView, etc.);
• Demonstrated success in staff leadership, with demonstrated ability to lead and motivate colleagues, staff and volunteers;
• Demonstrated strategic approach to fundraising skills;
• Highly organized and strong work ethic skills;
• Excellent ability to communicate orally and in writing;
• Strong knowledge of the role Annual Giving plays in the development of the major gifts pipeline;
• Skilled in developing deep, productive relationships with a diverse group of individuals;
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines with high degree of initiative, creativity, energy, and accountability;
• Demonstrated ability and track record of soliciting and acquiring annual commitments up to and including $25,000 gifts; and
• Ability to travel and attend evening and weekend activities as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five or more years of experience working in Athletics development/advancement in a university or college setting;
• Demonstrated competence using Salesforce as a donor database;
• Specific experience leading and managing an annual giving program;
• Strong knowledge and grasp of athletics fundraising at the University level;
• Demonstrated ability to manage an annual giving program during a major gifts campaign and supervising a diverse team;
• Exceptional leadership qualities – has demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire staff to achieve their full potential; and
• Driven by a passion and knowledge for George Mason Athletics.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Director, Athletics Annual Fund at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a resume.

Posting Open Date: April 1, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by: April 15, 2024