Reporting to the Athletic Director of Major Gifts / Assistant Athletic Director, the Athletic Major Gifts Officer will assist the Athletic Director of Major Gifts / Assistant Athletic Director in the Hokie Club in carrying out the designated duties and responsibilities for the fundraising program. This highly motivated professional will be involved with the planning and implementation of the fundraising efforts in support of campaign priorities. He/She will fulfill the duties under the direction of, and in close cooperation with, the Athletic Director of Major Gifts / Assistant Athletic Director and the university’s central advancement office.

Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, the Athletic Major Gifts Officer will:

• Develop and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies which include building, managing, and soliciting a portfolio of major gift prospects.
• Travel, on average, five to eight days per month to cultivate, solicit, steward, and identify prospects.
• Have a portfolio of between 100 – 125 prospects.
• Have typical solicitation ranges of $100,000 to $1,000,000+.
• Close $1,000,000+ per year using a three-year rolling average.
• Close on average 10 – 13 gifts per fiscal year.
• Establish strong working relationships with other central advancement, collegiate and constituent development officers and staff to foster a productive work environment.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and experience or master’s degree required.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising, sales/marketing, advertising, public relations, communications, or experience in cold calling.
• Must demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to articulate the importance of higher education and understand and articulate the critical role and priorities of the university and the athletic program.
• The successful candidate will show evidence of the ability to motivate volunteers and donors, will be self-motivated, and will embrace the concept and attitude of teamwork in a complex organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A successful track record in major gift fundraising preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in higher education fundraising, athletic fundraising or other related experience.
• Preference for previous experience representing a Division I athletic department to external audiences.
• Preference for proven success in building productive, long-term relationships with key business leaders, faculty, staff, institutional boards, volunteers, and/or donors.

Additional Information:

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech:

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Advancement HR at [email protected]  during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.