What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Director of Athletic Development position at Inside Higher Ed?
Responsibilities and Duties
Job Posting: Dec 18, 2025
- Serve as the Lead Development Officer for TU Athletics
- Achieve all assigned financial, donor, and activity goals to support the successful execution of annual and multi-year fundraising objectives for Towson Athletics.
- Partner regularly with the Director of Athletics and coaches to identify priority needs, develop compelling funding opportunities, and advance philanthropic initiatives that elevate the student-athlete experience.
- Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects with the capacity and inclination to support Athletics and the broader priorities of Towson University.
- Develop and implement Athletics-specific fundraising and communications strategies that strengthen constituent engagement, increase philanthropic revenue, and grow the number of donors to Athletics.
- Promote and cross-sell philanthropic opportunities across the university, ensuring that prospects connected to Athletics are also aware of additional institutional priorities where their interests may align.
- Conduct a minimum of 10 meaningful external visits each month with prospects and donors, including at least two visits conducted jointly with the Director of Athletics and/or coaching partners.
- Actively engage every prospect within the assigned portfolio, advancing individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies that move prospects through the giving cycle.
- Collaborate with internal and external revenue-generating units, including University Ticketing Operations and other campus partners, to coordinate outreach, align messaging, and ensure a seamless donor and fan experience.
- Manage and Develop a High-Performing Athletics Development Team
- Supervise, mentor, and support Athletics development staff to increase philanthropic support for Athletics and achieve annual and multi-year fundraising goals.
- Hold regular individual and team meetings to review workplans, assess progress toward goals, develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for top prospects, and provide coaching to strengthen fundraising effectiveness and improve yield ratios.
- Design and implement annual giving cultivation, engagement, and solicitation strategies that enhance donor satisfaction, deepen affinity, and increase donor retention across Athletics.
- Grow membership in Athletics leadership giving societies through targeted outreach, personalized stewardship, and strategic engagement.
- Monitor team performance and intervene proactively to ensure goals are met, identifying opportunities for professional development, resource alignment, and strategic adjustments when necessary.
- Collaborate closely with colleagues across University Advancement to cultivate, engage, and steward donors in a coordinated, positive, and professional manner that reflects TU’s values and supports institutional priorities.
- Serve as a Strategic Resource Across the Athletics Department
- Collaborate with members of the Athletics Leadership Team and staff to advance departmental goals and support priority initiatives that strengthen the overall success, visibility, and reputation of TU Athletics.
- Facilitate and steward external relationships—including alumni, donors, corporate partners, and community stakeholders—to benefit Athletics beyond philanthropic support and enhance the broader student-athlete and fan experience.
- Bachelor's degree.
- Three years of non-profit leadership and major gift cultivation and solicitation experience required.
- Comprehensive knowledge of philanthropic giving vehicles and charitable contribution strategies, including those utilized by individuals, families, donor-advised funds, and family foundations.
- Expertise in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship practices that broaden and deepen constituent engagement with Towson University and Towson Athletics.
- Demonstrated ability to motivate, inspire, and develop professional staff and volunteers, fostering a high-performing, goal-oriented team committed to achieving fundraising success.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the character, judgment, and professionalism needed to establish and sustain productive partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Knowledge of current trends in philanthropy, along with the ability to anticipate needs, adapt strategies, and proactively implement business and development plans that address both immediate and long-term objectives.
- A proven record of securing significant philanthropic support, including repeated success cultivating, soliciting, and closing six-figure gifts and above.
- Supervisory experience in a sales or revenue-generating environment, with a preference for candidates who have led teams within a nonprofit or higher-education advancement setting.
- Personal experience and strong familiarity with the Maryland and Mid-Atlantic region’s athletic, philanthropic, and community landscapes, with the ability to leverage established networks to advance Towson University’s fundraising goals.
Job Posting: Dec 18, 2025