The Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Athletics, is responsible for building a development and alumni engagement program focused on engaging, identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors to support the NYU Athletic Department. Development work will be focused on prospects who have the capacity to make $50K - $1M gifts. Reporting to both the AVP/Director of Athletics and to the AVP Development, Individual Giving they will develop a strategic fundraising and alumni engagement plan, partner with colleagues in University Development and Alumni Relations, and develop an intimate knowledge of the Athletic Department’s mission and offerings. Maintain a discovery prospect pool with an emphasis on qualification that leads to a portfolio of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The incumbent will complete a minimum of 100 engagements and/or meetings in-person or virtually. This position will involve travel as University policy allows and is reasonably justified towards building relationships and developing philanthropy and alumni engagement. In addition, attendance at Athletic events will be required in order to advance internal and external relationships that enhance fundraising and alumni engagement efforts. The role is considered to have the experience to develop and manage volunteer and donor engagement strategies to enhance the alumni relations and fundraising team's success. Supervise the Assistant Director for Development and Alumni Relations and ensure athletics alumni and friends have opportunities to engage with NYU Athletics that also support the fundraising ambitions of the department. Assist the AVP/ Director of Athletics and the Athletics Communications team with drafting and executing a high volume of development and alumni relations communications, determining priorities for external and internal meetings, and crafting briefings, proposals, giving materials, and contact reports. Liaise directly with key donors and prospects, volunteer leaders, and other critical members of the department’s community (alumni, parents, campus visitors).

Required Education:
Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:
Master's Degree or equivalent experience and education.

Required Experience:
7+ years Relevant experience in fundraising, communications, fast-paced and high-level writing, events planning, donor relations or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Preferred Experience:
7+ years Related experience at a higher education institution. Knowledge of college sports, NCAA athletics department, NYU and its sports history.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
Excellent written and verbal communication with the ability to quickly adapt to multiple voices, strong interpersonal skills, relationship building skills, judgment and discretion in communicating sensitive and/or confidential information. Responsive with the ability to remain focused in a fast-paced environment, and ability to prioritize independently. Ability to take initiative and collaborate with others. Working knowledge of various software applications including MS Office Suite. Ability to travel nationally.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
Knowledge and intellectual curiosity and interest in topics related to the University's funding priorities, engaging conversationalist, active listener, ability to demonstrate empathy Demonstrated ability to identify main audiences, determine the best way to communicate information to them, and develop and implement a communication and solicitation plan. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with University stakeholders, alumni, and corporate partners and use these relationships to develop new business opportunities. Demonstrated skills to establish goals for soliciting funds, develop policies for collection and safeguarding of contributions, and coordinate disbursement of funds.

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