The Senior Associate Athletic Director for Advancement is charged with strategic oversight of Lafayette’s growing athletics fundraising and engagement program at a pivotal time in the college’s history, with a bicentennial anniversary on the horizon in 2026 and as the College moves into a landmark comprehensive campaign. This new role will develop and execute a strategic plan to inspire new levels of engagement, commitment, and philanthropic support from alumni, parents, and friends, including growth in capital gifts, endowed gifts, and annual unrestricted gifts to the Maroon Club to support Athletics priorities.
The Senior Associate Athletic Director for Advancement, in collaboration with the Associate Vice President for Individual Giving and the Advancement team, is accountable for spearheading initiatives focused on Athletics fundraising and monitoring and reporting on progress toward goals. Critical to success will be working closely with Advancement fundraisers in Individual Giving, Annual Giving, Parent Philanthropy, the Maroon Club and key principals in the athletic department including the Athletics Director, athletics administration, coaches, and volunteers to develop and execute on strategies to ensure success in meeting athletics fundraising goals.
The Senior Associate Athletic Director for Advancement is an integral member of both the College Advancement team and the senior leadership team in the Department of Athletics and will also serve as the Executive Director of the Maroon Club. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Individual Giving, with dotted line responsibility to the Director of Athletics, the candidate will serve as a member of the Advancement team, and a member of the Lafayette Athletics Leadership team. The position is responsible for the identification, qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of leadership and principal gift prospects. We are looking for an energetic, hard-working candidate with a passion for higher education and athletic fundraising.
Primary Responsibilities:
● Create a strategic vision for all Department of Athletics fundraising efforts, including an annual solicitation calendar, recommended priorities based on donor interest, identification of stakeholder groups, stewardship plans, and fundraising events that is consistent with and supports the vision and needs of the Department of Athletics and aligns with the strategic priorities and mission of the College.
● Collaborate with athletic senior staff, coaches, student-athletes, members of the Advancement team and other relevant personnel to support the athletics fundraising needs.
● Coordinate all athletics fundraising efforts including annual fundraising, special initiatives fundraising, and campaign fundraising.
● Identify, cultivate and solicit prospective donors with a specific focus on principal and leadership gift prospects.
● Manage a portfolio of up to 125 major gift prospects utilizing the Donor Engagement Process.
● Maintain a high level of coordination between Athletics and Advancement to ensure that fundraising goals are met.
● Develop annual fundraising strategies, goals and metrics for our 23 sport programs. ● Represent the College at athletic events that promote engagement and philanthropy.
● Direct and lead the Athletics Advancement team including goal setting, engagement and philanthropic planning, and oversight of the Assistant Athletic Director for Advancement.
● Work closely with the Maroon Club Executive Committee on the coordination of meetings, events, and fundraising strategies to achieve annual fundraising goals.
● Engage with alumni and community members to generate interest and support for athletics and our initiatives.
● Establish strong working relationships with key campus partners, including but not limited to athletics, communications and student life.
● Oversee athletic advancement operating budget.
● Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
● Bachelor’s Degree required. Highly energetic and engaging individual with at least five years of fundraising experience or seven years of related experience (i.e., marketing, sales) within an intercollegiate athletics environment. The position requires exceptional organizational and analytical thinking skills, a demonstrated capacity to develop relationships with a diverse community, and the ability to engage and motivate prospects and volunteers.
● Demonstrated success in soliciting and closing six and seven-figure gifts.
● Demonstrated negotiation skills and an understanding of prospect-centered fundraising combined with strategic planning experience
● Exceptional interpersonal skills necessary for building relationships with external (donors, prospects, Trustees) and internal (faculty, staff, colleagues) constituents.
● Strong executive communication skills (verbal/written) and ability to lead and work across the organization and interact/influence/negotiate effectively.
● Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
● Ability and willingness to travel and manage a complex work schedule (including commitments during the evening, weekends, and holidays).
● High level of energy and enthusiasm combined with a commitment to execute the mission and vision of the College and the department.
● Strong attention to detail.
● Experience with Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite is essential as well as familiarity with web based interfaces and fundraising software. Knowledge of and commitment to uphold NCAA and Patriot League rules and regulations are required.
Preferred Qualifications:
● Seven or more years of athletic fundraising experience.
● Fundraising experience towards a comprehensive, multi-year campaign.
● Experience in working directly with head coaches for the purpose of establishing goals and objectives for their performance.
● Experience motivating and inspiring others to perform.
● Strong executive communication skills (verbal/written) and ability to lead and work across the organization and interact/influence/negotiate effectively.
Application Process:
Qualified applicants should submit a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three references. http://apply.interfolio.com/141068.
Lafayette College is a private, undergraduate-only institution offering programs across the arts, sciences, and engineering on a coeducational, residential campus rich in history and beauty. Lafayette is located in Easton, PA within 70 miles of New York and Philadelphia. As part of the culturally vibrant Lehigh Valley with neighboring cities Bethlehem and Allentown, Easton is home to a dynamic restaurant culture, annual festivals, a historic farmers’ market, and arts institutions. Lafayette Athletics, as a partner in the mission of the College, provides an incredibly effective learning experience for student-athletes through competitive NCAA Division I athletics. Lafayette sponsors 23 varsity sports with approximately 580 student-athletes.
Lafayette College is deeply committed to creating a diverse community, one that is inclusive and responsive, and is supportive of each and all of its faculty, students, and staff. All members of the College community share a responsibility for creating, maintaining, and developing a learning environment in which difference is valued, equity is sought, and inclusiveness is practiced. All Lafayette operations reflect the College’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) initiatives, and Lafayette welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds.