For over a century, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) has built a proud tradition of academic rigor, innovation, and athletic excellence. As a comprehensive public research university with over 280 degree programs and a commitment to advancing knowledge at the highest levels, Virginia Tech is distinguished by its “Ut Prosim” (That I May Serve) ethos and its role as a catalyst for innovation and community across Virginia and beyond.

Athletically, the Hokies compete at the Division I level in the Atlantic Coast Conference, fielding competitive programs across 22 varsity sports, and continually striving to raise the standard for the student-athlete experience. Football, in particular, carries deep roots at Virginia Tech: beginning with informal rugby matches in 1891 and formal football in 1892, the program has earned more than 700 wins, competed in over 30 bowl games, and established one of the longest streaks of bowl appearances in NCAA history.

Today, Virginia Tech stands at a compelling inflection point in athletics: the evolving landscape around Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), the transfer portal, and shifting revenue models create both challenges and unprecedented opportunities. In this context, the Hokie Club—Virginia Tech Athletics’ philanthropic engine—plays an essential role. It mobilizes alumni, fans, and institutional supporters to invest in scholarships, facility enhancements, sport-specific programs, and strategic priorities that uphold the integrity and competitiveness of every program. More than 25,000 donors made gifts to Virginia Tech Athletics in last year; celebrated as one of the highest rates of giving and participation in the ACC.

In September 2025, Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors approved a bold four year, multi-million dollar investment into its athletics programs—a clear demonstration of institutional commitment to elevation. This renewed financial resolve from the university provides the ideal backdrop for creating transformational fundraising infrastructure, building momentum, and making measurable impact in the post-House Case, Revenue Share, and NIL era.

The time is ripe for strong leadership. As Virginia Tech embarks on an ambitious campaign to elevate athletic excellence while safeguarding the values that define us, the Executive Associate Athletics Director for Advancement & Executive Director, Hokie Club must be a visionary fundraiser, a bridge-builder, and a steward of both tradition and innovation. We seek a leader who will help translate our legacy into momentum—enabling the athletic department and the university to thrive in the next era.

Position Summary

Virginia Tech seeks a seasoned, strategic leader to serve as the Executive Associate Athletics Director for Advancement & Executive Director, Hokie Club, responsible for driving philanthropic success for Virginia Tech Athletics through the Hokie Club–the fundraising program for Virginia Tech Athletics. This position will have a dual reporting role to the Senior Vice President for Advancement, and the Director of Athletics. This position oversees all aspects of athletics fundraising—including annual giving, leadership, major and principal gifts.

This leader will serve as the chief advancement officer for Intercollegiate Athletics and provide direct oversight of the Hokie Club team, composed of gift officers, annual giving specialists, and advancement staff. In this highly visible role, the Executive Associate Athletics Director for Advancement & Executive Director, Hokie Club will manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, champion integrated advancement strategies, and align efforts with the broader goals of the University’s Advancement Division.

Virginia Tech Athletics is navigating a dynamic and demanding intercollegiate athletics landscape shaped by the growing need for philanthropic donations and revenue streams. These forces demand a resourceful, innovative, and highly adaptable leader who can harness the university’s strengths and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

This position also serves as a senior advisor to both the Athletics Director and the Senior Vice President for Advancement, shaping strategy, managing relationships, and executing initiatives that elevate the Hokie Club, amplify donor engagement, and secure transformational support for Athletics programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the chief fundraising officer for Virginia Tech Athletics, partnering with Athletics and Advancement leadership to shape and execute strategy.

• Manage a high-level donor portfolio, focused on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual and corporate prospects.

• Lead all campaign and annual fundraising efforts, including annual fund, leadership gifts, major gifts, and principal gifts.

• Ensure clear differentiation between philanthropic revenue (gifts) and commercial revenue (ticket sales, premium seating, sponsorships), while integrating premium seat donors into broader stewardship and gift pipelines.

• Lead and develop the Athletics Development/Advancement team by providing leadership, mentoring, and performance oversight; setting and evaluating individual goals; supporting professional growth through coaching and development; assigning and monitoring coverage of primary areas of focus; and fostering a high performing, values aligned culture that advances individual and team fundraising success.

• Oversee operational budgets related to Athletics Advancement, ensuring strategic use of resources and alignment with campaign priorities.

• Coordinate and support the Athletics Director’s donor engagement activities and briefings, and oversee the organization of high-level advancement events involving the AD, University President and other top leaders of Virginia Tech.

• Act as the primary liaison between Athletics and other Advancement units (central and decentralized) to ensure consistency in messaging, policy compliance, and operational excellence.

• Engage regularly with head coaches, Athletics staff, and internal partners to build trust, understand priorities, and align fundraising strategies with programmatic needs.

• Oversee the strategic engagement of volunteers, including the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund Board (also known as the Hokie Club Board), and lead efforts to recruit, motivate, and steward board members and other key stakeholders.

• Collaborate with the Athletics Communications team to develop and deploy donor-centric messaging and impact stories. Establish annual fundraising goals in consultation with the Senior Vice President for Advancement and Athletics Director; track performance and adjust tactics to ensure success.

• Provide regular reporting, data analysis, and strategic counsel on advancement efforts to both the Athletics Director and Advancement leadership.

• Participate as a member of the senior leadership teams for both Athletics and the Advancement Division.

Application Process

Virginia Tech invites nominations and applications or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University. Applications should include a cover letter, current resume or curriculum vitae, and a list of professional references. For full consideration, application materials should be submitted to Parker Executive Search’s website by May 22, 2026. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made.

For additional information, please contact:

Daniel Parker, Vice President and Managing Director

Grant Higgison, Principal

Gray McGee, Associate

ghiggison@parkersearch.com | gmcgee@parkersearch.com

Parker Executive Search

770-804-1996 ext. 118 | 770-804-1996 ext. 132

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, ethnicity or 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.

For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact the Office for Civil Rights Compliance and Prevention Education at 540-231-2010 or Virginia Tech, 220 Gilbert Street, Suite 5200, Blacksburg, VA 24061.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Demonstrated success in advancement leadership roles such as major gifts, annual giving, stewardship, and/or alumni/donor relations. Experience within NCAA Division I Athletics programs, particularly football or other high-profile sports, is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to lead and manage comprehensive capital campaigns, from planning through execution. Familiarity with integrated advancement models that bridge central and unit-based structures is a plus.
• A successful track record of securing major philanthropic gifts (seven-figure and above) from individuals and/or corporations. Ability to articulate compelling cases for support and navigate complex, multi-stakeholder fundraising strategies.
• Experience leading high-performing teams, managing operational budgets, and implementing change management strategies in fast-paced environments.
• Strong strategic thinking, interpersonal, and communication skills with a proven ability to engage effectively with senior leadership, coaches, donors, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel extensively, including attendance at games, events, and donor meetings.
• Knowledge of emerging trends in college athletics, particularly Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) strategies and their alignment with philanthropic giving, is preferred.
• Experience crafting or overseeing donor communications that blend academic and athletic priorities is a plus.
• Direct experience in athletics fundraising leadership, or close collaboration with athletics development teams, is strongly preferred.