Inside Higher Ed
Senior Philanthropic Officer, Athletics
Inside Higher Ed, Northampton, Massachusetts, us, 01061
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Senior Philanthropic Officer, Athletics
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Smith College Overview The Senior Philanthropic Officer for Athletics works as part of a collaborative team toward engagement and fundraising goals, with a focus on athletics-related priorities. Under the direction of the AVP for Development and in close partnership with the Athletics Director, the Senior Philanthropic Officer will recommend a comprehensive, campus-wide, strategic plan to increase participation and philanthropic support for athletics priorities, including capital projects, the annual athletics day of giving, and other programs in support of varsity sports. The position manages an assigned pool of donor prospects, focusing on Athletics priorities and coordinating with the president, director of athletics, senior vice president of advancement, board of trustees, and other fundraising volunteers, in collaboration with alumnae engagement and development programs, other gift officers, and campus colleagues. Take actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment. Essential Functions
Athletics Gift Officer (40%) Work with fundraising and engagement programs across the Alumnae Relations & Development department, Athletics Department, and other campus offices to integrate athletics outreach strategically. Collaborate with the director of athletics, coaches, and campus leaders to leverage relationships in support of athletics and communal well-being, coordinating with events, game schedules, and travel. Provide direction and management for athletics initiatives through volunteer engagement and awareness programs; coordinate with college relations and ARD communications to place athletics stories and promote events. Athletics Prospect Management (50%) Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, maintaining frequent personalized contact and visiting donors as needed. Qualify, cultivate, solicit donations to meet institutional priorities and fundraising goals; design donor-centric strategies to solicit six- or seven-figure gifts and close gifts per policy. Develop knowledge of the college, fundraising priorities, procedures, and strategic plan; articulate these persuasively to individuals and groups. Provide strategic support to involve senior leaders and faculty in developing individual major gift relationships; prepare briefing materials and proposals; meet or exceed metrics for visits, solicitations, and gifts; document activities in the prospect management system. Collaborate with frontline fundraisers, Donor Relations, Gift Planning, Events, Smith Fund, and Class Managers to develop individualized strategies for each prospect and participate in related events. Support Leadership Fundraising and Regional Strategies (5%) Participate in strategic planning for the president’s development travel schedule; organize and staff meetings with key prospects; prepare pre-visit and post-visit materials and proposals. Other Duties (5%) Participate in departmental training, college-wide programming, team meetings, and task forces; perform other related duties as assigned; contribute to a respectful, inclusive work environment. Minimum Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 12 years of experience with major gifts ($100k+) and principal gifts ($1M) or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Proven record of six-figure plus fundraising success. Experience with corporate sponsorships. Skills
Demonstrated success in raising six- and seven-figure gifts. Knowledge of prospect management best practices with high-capacity donors. Collaborative problem-solving abilities with prospects and colleagues. Highly organized with portfolio and time management skills. Program management, excellent verbal and written communications, and ability to build rapport with donors and colleagues. Ability to work independently and in team-based strategies; sound judgment, diplomacy, confidentiality, and professionalism. Proficiency with standard office software and donor database systems. Preferred Qualifications
Background as a collegiate athlete is preferred. Experience in athletics fundraising in higher education is preferred. Application Instructions
Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter for your application to be considered. Review of applications will begin September 29, 2025. You will not be able to attach additional files after submitting your application. About Smith College
Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire, Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and UMass Amherst. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by law. Reasonable accommodation requests should be directed to recruiting-u@smith.edu. Location: South Hadley, MA Salary: $99,708.00-$110,813.00
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Senior Philanthropic Officer, Athletics
role at
Smith College Overview The Senior Philanthropic Officer for Athletics works as part of a collaborative team toward engagement and fundraising goals, with a focus on athletics-related priorities. Under the direction of the AVP for Development and in close partnership with the Athletics Director, the Senior Philanthropic Officer will recommend a comprehensive, campus-wide, strategic plan to increase participation and philanthropic support for athletics priorities, including capital projects, the annual athletics day of giving, and other programs in support of varsity sports. The position manages an assigned pool of donor prospects, focusing on Athletics priorities and coordinating with the president, director of athletics, senior vice president of advancement, board of trustees, and other fundraising volunteers, in collaboration with alumnae engagement and development programs, other gift officers, and campus colleagues. Take actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment. Essential Functions
Athletics Gift Officer (40%) Work with fundraising and engagement programs across the Alumnae Relations & Development department, Athletics Department, and other campus offices to integrate athletics outreach strategically. Collaborate with the director of athletics, coaches, and campus leaders to leverage relationships in support of athletics and communal well-being, coordinating with events, game schedules, and travel. Provide direction and management for athletics initiatives through volunteer engagement and awareness programs; coordinate with college relations and ARD communications to place athletics stories and promote events. Athletics Prospect Management (50%) Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, maintaining frequent personalized contact and visiting donors as needed. Qualify, cultivate, solicit donations to meet institutional priorities and fundraising goals; design donor-centric strategies to solicit six- or seven-figure gifts and close gifts per policy. Develop knowledge of the college, fundraising priorities, procedures, and strategic plan; articulate these persuasively to individuals and groups. Provide strategic support to involve senior leaders and faculty in developing individual major gift relationships; prepare briefing materials and proposals; meet or exceed metrics for visits, solicitations, and gifts; document activities in the prospect management system. Collaborate with frontline fundraisers, Donor Relations, Gift Planning, Events, Smith Fund, and Class Managers to develop individualized strategies for each prospect and participate in related events. Support Leadership Fundraising and Regional Strategies (5%) Participate in strategic planning for the president’s development travel schedule; organize and staff meetings with key prospects; prepare pre-visit and post-visit materials and proposals. Other Duties (5%) Participate in departmental training, college-wide programming, team meetings, and task forces; perform other related duties as assigned; contribute to a respectful, inclusive work environment. Minimum Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 12 years of experience with major gifts ($100k+) and principal gifts ($1M) or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Proven record of six-figure plus fundraising success. Experience with corporate sponsorships. Skills
Demonstrated success in raising six- and seven-figure gifts. Knowledge of prospect management best practices with high-capacity donors. Collaborative problem-solving abilities with prospects and colleagues. Highly organized with portfolio and time management skills. Program management, excellent verbal and written communications, and ability to build rapport with donors and colleagues. Ability to work independently and in team-based strategies; sound judgment, diplomacy, confidentiality, and professionalism. Proficiency with standard office software and donor database systems. Preferred Qualifications
Background as a collegiate athlete is preferred. Experience in athletics fundraising in higher education is preferred. Application Instructions
Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter for your application to be considered. Review of applications will begin September 29, 2025. You will not be able to attach additional files after submitting your application. About Smith College
Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire, Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and UMass Amherst. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by law. Reasonable accommodation requests should be directed to recruiting-u@smith.edu. Location: South Hadley, MA Salary: $99,708.00-$110,813.00
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