Associate Director / Director of Major Gifts – Utah State Athletics

Overview

The Associate Director / Director of Major Gifts for Utah State Athletics will join a dynamic athletics advancement team as Utah State University enters an exciting new era in the Pac-12 Conference. The position title and level (Associate Director or Director) will be determined based on the duties assigned and selected candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience (see Qualifications section).

 

This position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding members of the Blue A Society. They will assist in expanding the Blue A Society into a comprehensive major giving society that inspires long-term donor engagement and investment. This individual will strategically develop proposals and secure major gifts to meet annual fundraising and cash revenue goals.

 

Working collaboratively across the university, the Associate Director/ Director partners with athletics leadership, coaches, central advancement, and university administrators to advance fundraising initiatives and strengthen donor relationships.    

Responsibilities

Major Gift Fundraising

• Develop and execute strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects.
• Personally solicit leadership and major gifts in support of athletics priorities.
• Build strong relationships with the local community, fans and donors.
• Meet annual fundraising and revenue goals.

Collaboration

• Partner with athletics, advancement and university staff.
• Work closely with central advancement offices.
• Have a firm understanding of USU’s gift accepting and crediting policies and procedures and USU’s naming policy.

Travel and External Engagement

• Attend athletic competitions, donor events, and alumni gatherings.
• Represent the athletic department at fundraising and stewardship events.
• Work evenings and weekends as needed for games and special events.

Data and Performance Management

• Maintain accurate donor records.
• Track visits, proposals, solicitations, and fundraising metrics.
• Prepare reports on fundraising progress.

Reporting

• Will report to Assistant Athletics Director of Major Gifts

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• The positions will be hired at either an Associate Director (Development Officer II) or Director (Development Officer III) based upon duties assigned and qualifications.  For:
  • Associate Director: Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus two years of fundraising, development, advancement, or related sales experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Director: Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus four years of related experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• For both levels:
  • Proven ability to engage in complex gift conversations, with a record of closing major gifts or contracts.
  • Demonstrated record of managing donor and prospect portfolios and achieving fundraising goals.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior administrators, faculty, and advisory boards.
  • Willingness and ability to travel extensively.

Preferred Qualification:

• Collegiate athletics fundraising experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge and understanding of current theory and practice in the corporate and foundation relations and engagement field.
• Ability to develop and execute a comprehensive communications and engagement strategy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal/relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively with faculty, top executives, and community leaders.
• Ability to analyze and interpret marketing data.
• Ability in planning and implementing long- and short-range development initiatives in conjunction with strategic planning processes.
• Ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare effective, accurate, and timely reports and other documents to support development objectives.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and experience in managing events and other complex activities in support of development objectives.
• Ability to plan schedules and meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow University policies and procedures.
• Computer skills, including proficiency with databases and software.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Dependent upon experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

University Highlights

As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

 

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

 

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, which it joined July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

 

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when it named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at 435-797-0122 or [email protected].

 

*updated 10/26

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

 

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

 

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

 

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

 

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

[email protected]

(435) 797-1266

 

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

 

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [email protected]

 

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  [email protected]

 

*updated 08/2026