Assistant Director of Athletics Engagement and Fundraising

Wesleyan University’s Office of Advancement (ADV) builds lifelong relationships with alumni, parents, and friends, and engages them in support of Wesleyan’s educational mission and financial goals.

The Advancement team fosters pride in the Wesleyan community and develops support for university initiatives through outreach activities, including development and fundraising, alumni and parent relations, and on-and off-campus events. Wesleyan is currently in the public phase of a $600 million comprehensive fundraising campaign.

Reporting to the Director of Athletics Fundraising, the Assistant Director is responsible for implementing annual giving, alumni and parent engagement, storytelling, volunteer and stewardship efforts that support fundraising goals and strengthen relationships with alumni, parents, donors, and friends of Wesleyan Athletics.

The Assistant Director is responsible for managing initiatives related to the planning and execution of athletics annual giving, engagement, communications, volunteerism and stewardship, helping communicate the value of the scholar-athlete experience and the impact of philanthropy on Wesleyan Athletics. Working collaboratively with Athletics, Advancement Communications, University Communications, Engaged Philanthropy, coaches, volunteers, alumni, parents, student-athletes, and donors, the Assistant Director manages and implements meaningful opportunities for constituents to connect with Wesleyan Athletics and encourages engagement and participation in athletics philanthropy.

This is a five-year-term limited gift funded position.

Responsibilities include:

• Implement annual giving initiatives and engagement plans designed to increase alumni, parent, and friend participation and support for Wesleyan Athletics.

• Plan and implement strategic engagement opportunities, including in-person, virtual, and small cultivation events, traveling as needed to represent Wesleyan Athletics and the University.

• Partner with coaches, athletic department staff, alumni volunteers, and Advancement colleagues to support engagement and fundraising activities that strengthen constituent relationships and encourage philanthropic support.

• Collaborate closely with Advancement Communications and University Communications, including participation in content planning meetings, to identify, develop, and promote athletics-related stories and content that support fundraising, engagement, stewardship, and institutional priorities.

• Work collaboratively with Athletics, University Advancement, Advancement Communications, University Communications, Alumni and Parent Relations, and other colleagues to maximize the visibility and reach of athletics stories, donor impact narratives, and engagement initiatives across university platforms.

• Manage athletics storytelling efforts that highlight student-athlete achievement, alumni engagement, donor impact, and the value of the scholar-athlete experience.

• Write, edit, and develop compelling communications and content that demonstrate the impact of philanthropy on student-athletes, teams, and the broader Wesleyan Athletics community.

• Build and manage online engagement and fundraising campaigns utilizing key technology platforms and other projects as needed.

• In coordination with Donor Relations, execute on acknowledgement, stewardship and recognition efforts for athletics supporters at all levels, ensuring meaningful and timely communication of donor impact.

• Track, analyze, and report on athletics engagement and annual giving metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of campaigns, events, and outreach efforts, and recommend opportunities for continuous improvement.

• Along with the Director of Athletic Fundraising, manage the Athletics Advisory Council meetings and other volunteer engagement initiatives.

• Manage, train, and supervise student workers, interns, and ambassadors as assigned.

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and one year of experience in relationship building, programming, fundraising, customer service, marketing and outreach, organizational support, or other related work; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Relevant professional, graduate-level, and intercollegiate student-athlete experience may be considered.

• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, professional materials for a variety of audiences.

• Highly organized and efficient, capable of managing multiple projects with competing priorities while maintaining high standards and flexibility.

• Demonstrated attention to detail.

• Proactive self-starter with demonstrated ability to work productively both independently and collaboratively with teams.

• Demonstrated analytical skills, including the ability to organize information, monitor progress toward goals, and analyze data to support decision- making .

• Excellent interpersonal, customer service, and relationship building skills.

• Ability to set priorities, support measurable goals, and manage against project timelines.

• Demonstrated commitment to working within a diverse environment and interacting collegially with individuals of different backgrounds with varied personalities and work styles.

• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, encompassing the capacity to investigate, interpret, and concisely summarize multifaceted information on individuals or groups.

• Experience using or the ability to quickly learn CRM, fundraising, and constituent engagement systems.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy and maintain confidentiality of sensitive matters.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Must be at least 20 years of age and possess a valid U.S. driver’s license for a minimum of three years with a satisfactory driving record.

• Ability to work some evenings and weekends and holidays as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in nonprofit or similar mission-driven environment.

• Demonstrated experience planning, coordinating, or supporting events or engagement activities.

• Experience working with volunteers and donors.

• Experience with donor management systems.

Compensation: $52,400-$61,300

Work Location: On Campus

All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.

Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator.

Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan University’s Clery Act Report are available on request and online at https://www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety/clery.html.

Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers.  For more information visit https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/handbook/compensation-practices/index.html

Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans, flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs for those who qualify.  

Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: https://wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/prospective-resources.html.