Director of Athletics Advancement

Haverford Offers Great Benefits:
The College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes possible work-from-home opportunities, automatic 10% retirement contribution to your retirement account upon eligibility (no match required), a 50% tuition benefit for dependent children upon eligibility, 14 paid holidays (including the week before New Year’s Day off), Health Savings Account contribution of $700 for individuals and$1400 for families (no match required), affordable medical plans, and a beautiful arboretum campus with walking trail and easy public transportation access. Please visit the Benefits page (https://www.haverford.edu/human-resources/benefits) for more information.

Work Location: This position will be eligible for a hybrid work schedule, pursuant to the College’s Work Location Policy.

About Institutional AdvancementThe next decade will be a time of significant transformation and growth as Haverford approaches the 200th anniversary of its founding in 1833. This is an exciting time to join Haverford’s Institutional Advancement (IA) team – a team whose work helps to strengthen the unique learning experience at the core of the College’s mission. With a people-first, data-driven approach to philanthropy, the IA team builds and stewards relationships with the College’s deep constituency base. Focused on the future, the IA team is expanding its impact by leading a comprehensive, multi-faceted campaign aligned with Haverford’s strategic plan, Haverford 2030. As the campaign ramps up, the team is looking for enthusiastic and dedicated philanthropy professionals who want to innovate and usher Haverford College into a new era.

Built upon a Quaker foundation of hands-on, values-based learning, Haverford fosters a transformative, inclusive community of inquisitive students, exceptional faculty, and dedicated staff who are wholly invested in the institution. Haverford instills in its students self-directed leadership and active engagement within the College and beyond, leading to an alumni constituency, including parents, families, friends, and more, who believe deeply in the College’s mission and are committed to Haverford’s long-term success and sustainability in an ever-changing landscape.

About the Position
The Director of Athletics Advancement (DAA) is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy in support of Haverford’s athletics programs. In partnership with the Athletics Department, this individual will develop and execute strategies to increase philanthropic support from alumni, parents, and friends to enhance the student-athlete experience, facilities, and operational needs. The Director will work collaboratively throughout the College to build a culture of giving that aligns with Haverford’s athletic funding priorities, as outlined in an Athletics Action Plan published in the 2024-25 academic year.

Primary Responsibilities

Fundraising & Relationship Management

• In collaboration with the Athletics Department and senior Advancement team members, develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan for Athletic Giving including creating donor engagement opportunities for current and prospective donors
• Actively manage a portfolio of major donor prospects, building relationships through direct outreach and meetings (in-person, phone, virtual) with the goal of securing major gifts, planned gifts, and annual gifts
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors to support programmatic initiatives, athletic facilities, and fundraising priorities
• Partner with the Athletics Department to create compelling cases for support and build a culture of giving among Haverford’s athletics community
• Provide strategic direction and oversight to the Haverford Athletic Leadership (HAL), an engaged constituency of athletic supporters in partnership with IA and Athletics
• In collaboration with IA Special Events, plan, execute, and attend a variety of events to support advancing the Athletics Action Plan and increase engagement for athletic constituents
• Work closely with Prospect Research and other members of IA to develop and implement individual Donor Engagement Plans, and to identify new alumni and parent prospects, including new demographic segments, for the overall campaign, and general, cultivation pool
• Work collaboratively with Donor Relations and Stewardship team on parent prospect follow-up, proposal creation, and acknowledgement of gift commitments 
• Create and maintain accurate records of donor interactions and contributions, utilizing Raiser’s Edge
• Stay informed about the current trends and best practices in development for collegiate athletics
• Represent the College and athletic department at events and meetings, building relationships and promoting fundraising efforts
• Other responsibilities as needed to meet the goals of Institutional Advancement

Alumni & Community Engagement

• Foster meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, and supporters to strengthen their connection to the college’s athletics programs
• Organize or support athletic alumni engagement events such as athletic alumni reunions, team anniversaries and gatherings around alumni competitions
• Serve as a key liaison between the Athletics Department and external supporters, ensuring effective communication and engagement
• Lead marketing and communication efforts for alumni games and other alumni-athletic events, engagement, and outreach, partnering with the Athletics Department, IA communications team, and Haverford’s communications team

Strategic Leadership & Collaboration

• Collaborate with college leadership, coaches, and faculty to integrate athletics into the overall advancement strategy
• Provide leadership and mentorship to colleagues and volunteers supporting athletic development efforts including HAL
• Track fundraising progress and provide regular reports to leadership on key metrics and outcomes

Line of Report: The Director of Athletics Advancement reports to the Assistant Vice President for Advancement and Campaign Director and has a dotted line reporting relationship to the Director of Athletics. This position has no direct reports.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, fundraising, athletics, or development within increasingly complex organizations

Professional Competencies 

• Demonstrated success in planning and executing fundraising campaigns and meeting fundraising goals and metrics
• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward gift donors at various levels, including major gifts
• Strong leadership, strategic planning, and project management skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Experience managing high-level volunteers and collaborating with institutional leadership
• Proven successful leadership of a team of fundraising professionals
• Familiarity with CRM systems and fundraising databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce)
• Familiarity with best practices in advancement operations, campaign reporting, and donor stewardship
• Demonstrated ability to provide an inclusive work environment by valuing and actively seeking new and diverse perspectives

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a higher education institution, ideally within athletics fundraising

We are aware that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet qualifications as described in the job advertisement. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and recognize that a successful candidate may come from a less traditional career trajectory, and have skills and abilities gained outside a classroom context, or an equivalent skill set. We encourage you to apply and share how you meet the position’s qualifications.

Special Requirements

• Ability to travel regionally, domestically, and internationally as needed
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed
• Possession of a valid U.S. Drivers’ License and ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Record check

To Apply: Interested applicants are invited to submit an application, to include a cover letter and resume by visiting https://haverford.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job/Haverford-Campus/Director-of-Athletics-Advancement_R656. The application deadline is June 1, 2025. Application review will begin after the deadline has passed. Please email recruiting [at] haverford.edu with questions about submitting your materials. Should the search committee be interested in pursuing your candidacy, you will hear from them directly. Finalists will be asked to provide three professional references.

Haverford College is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and providing equal opportunities and access to all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status. Women, non-binary and transgender individuals, people of color, Indigenous people, and those with other or multiple historically marginalized and/or underrepresented identities are especially encouraged to apply.

We at Haverford College recognize that we live and work on Lenape land and pay respect and honor to the caretakers of this land, from the time of its first human inhabitants until now, and into the future. We seek to maintain and build upon our current and ever-evolving connections with members of Lenape tribes and communities, in recognition of our intertwined histories and with a goal of moving toward right relationship between the Haverford of today and Lenape peoples.