Director of Major Gifts

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

Job Information:

Title:

Director of Major Gifts

Classification Title:

Academic Professional

Job Location or Region:

Urbana-Champaign - 133

Job Description Reason:

Vacancy

Appointment Type:

Permanent

Position Number:

UD2627,UD2628,UD2629,UD2630

Position Class Code:

NABCA-DIR  ATHRC ADMIN

Employee Group:

B - Academic Professionals

COA:

1 - Urbana

Organization Code:

336000

Organization Name:

Intercollegiate Athletics

College/Administrative Unit:

NU-Div Intercollegiate Athletics

HR Information:

Full Time Equivalent (FTE):

1

Is this position Security Sensitive?

Is this a Protection of Minors position?

Purchasing Authority of $5,000 or more?

Supervisory Authority of 20 or more?

Organizational Relationship:

Chancellor

Director of Athletics

Executive Senior Associate Director of Athletics, CDO

Director of Major Gifts

Assistant Director of Athletics, Major Gifts

PRIMARY POSITION FUNCTION/SUMMARY

The position is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospective and current major gift donors for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) to support a life changing student-athlete experience.

•

Major Gift Fundraising 

• Identify, cultivate, solicit and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, with an emphasis on gifts above assigned amount and successfully close gifts at high level;

• Utilize the University donor database for statistics and subjective analysis in determining and prioritizing lists of donor prospects, alumni, and other stakeholders to be contacted for personal visits;

• Conduct an allotted number of face-to-face visits and other correspondence per month;

• Travel extensively throughout the region and across the country to pursue these strategies and build enduring relationships;

• Assist annual fund efforts in the selling of premium seating opportunities for Memorial Stadium/State Farm Center;

• Maintain a portfolio and achieve metric goals per Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement (OVCIA) and DIA parameters;

• Seek opportunities to develop and maintain relationships with donors and supporters, cultivating long-term partnerships ;

• Assist in the creation, development, and execution of fundraising marketing materials; and

• Conduct continuous research, development and up-to-date knowledge on prospects and works with other areas to coordinate contact.

60%

•

Donor Engagement

• Provide excellent donor stewardship through timely and accurate acknowledgement of gifts, providing progress reports, and facilitating personalized experiences;

• Serve as a visible, positive ambassador for DIA, and the University of Illinois in all public-facing responsibilities, and interacting with supporters across the country and in the surrounding communities; and

• Attend games and events to maintain continuing relationships with current donors and prospective donors.

30%

•

Strategic Planning

• Maintain a deep understanding of revenue generation priorities of all DIA and collaborate with other DIA units to support initiatives;

• Build a portfolio of best practices and emerging marketing trends to assist with better solicitation practices based on national data, donor wishes, and/or donor trends to achieve fundraising goals

• Develop and implement campaign calendars and plans and communicate major prospect leads and potential opportunities;

• Submission of and compliance with all donor tracking requirements and reports for the University of Illinois Foundation and DIA; and

• Other assigned administration and leadership of the development office.

10%

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Required: Bachelor's degree

Experience:

• Required:  3 - 5 years of experience in administration of athletics.  Specific experience in development, revenue generations and/or ticket sales

Specialty Factors:

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with Division I intercollegiate athletics preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Maintain knowledge of and compliance with, specific NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and institution rules that relate to this position;

• Computer proficiency with the ability to work with large, complex databases such as Spectra, Ballerna, Blackbaud, and Microsoft Office

• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills

• Possess an exceptional ability to represent an organization in one-on-one visits with constituents

• Basic understanding of leadership annual giving, major donor prospect qualifications, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

• Knowledge of budgeting, and general business administration

Championship Mindset and Expectations

• Understands and displays professionalism and integrity that builds and maintains trust between student-athletes and fellow DIA staff;

• Prioritizes and contributes to the life changing student-athlete experience;

• Adheres to University, DIA, Big Ten, and NCAA rules and regulations;

• Commitment to the Athletics Department and University’s mission and values;

• Flexible to various scheduling to include nights, weekend work and some holidays, team travel; and

• Maintain professional competency and skills required for professional practice.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

Providing this information helps ensure that the essential functions of the position are fully documented for the benefit of employees, applicants, and the university.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions Comments:

Will travel and work nights and weekends.

Manager Approval

Manager Approver

Doran, Krissy

Date Approved/Finalized

6/2/2025