Senior Philanthropic Officer, Athletics

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Alumnae Relations & Development

Job Description

Job Summary

The Senior Philanthropic Officer for Athletics works as part of a collaborative team working toward shared engagement and fundraising goals, with a particular focus on athletics related goals.  Under the direction of the AVP for Development, and in close partnership with the Athletics Director, the Senior Philanthropic Officer for Athletics will recommend a comprehensive, campus-wide, strategic plan to increase participation and philanthropic support for athletics related priorities; inclusive of capital projects, the annual athletics day of giving, other programs in support of the varsity sports teams. Operating as a gift officer for Smith College, this position will manage an assigned pool of donor prospects where gift conversations will include comprehensive support for Smith with a focus on Athletics priorities.  Focusing on Smith’s top athletics prospects, work with and support the president, director of athletics, senior vice president of advancement, board of trustees, and other key fundraising volunteers; as well as collaborating with the overall alumnae engagement and fundraising program inclusive of other gift officers, alumnae relations colleagues, event specialists, communications specialists and and other professional colleagues. 

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Athletics Gift Officer (40%)

Work in close collaboration with fundraising and engagement programs across the Alumnae Relations & Development department, with key colleagues in the Athletics Department, as well as with other offices across campus to ensure that Smith’s athletics outreach activities are integrated in strategic ways.  

Work closely with the director of athletics, coaches, and other campus leaders and colleagues in order to leverage their work and relationships in support of Smith’s commitment to communal well-being with focus on athletics through coordination with team events, game schedules, and travel.   

Provide direction and management for the athletics initiative through volunteer engagement and awareness programs. Work closely with college relations and ARD communications to strategically place athletics stories and promote events. 

Athletics Prospect Management (50%)

Manage a portfolio of individual major and principal gift prospects, maintaining frequent personalized contact, often traveling to meet the donors. Qualify, cultivate and solicit donors for funding to meet institutional priorities and specific fundraising goals.  Design and implement effective and donor-centric strategies to actively engage donors and lead to solicitation. Conduct annual gift solicitation for all assigned prospects. Spearhead creative and strategic thinking for innovative approaches that inspire donors to make major level gifts, and formally close the gift process according to the Gift Acceptance policy and other practices and procedures.   

Become fluent and knowledgeable about the college, its fundraising priorities, practices and procedures, its strategic plan and future vision, its values and its history. Articulate these persuasively and compellingly to individuals and groups.

As needed, provide strategic and tactical support to involve the president, vice president, other senior cabinet members, key faculty, and volunteer leadership in developing individual major gift prospect relationships. Participate when required, in strategic planning for the president’s and other key campus leader’s development travel schedule and review of presidential prospects.   Produce pre-visit briefing materials, post-visit follow-up communications, and proposal plans. 

 

Meet or exceed established metrics and goals for visits, solicitations, gifts and other meaningful contact with assigned prospects.  Promptly record contact reports and carry out other essential follow up activities and ensure accurate documentation of prospect strategies, solicitation plans and contacts and their entry into the college’s prospect management system.  Analyze activities to achieve progress towards stated goals.  Effectively utilize administrative support and support the work of other colleagues to achieve establis