Rice University
Major Gifts Officer - Athletics
Rice University, a 300‑acre tree‑lined campus in Houston, Texas, is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice is known for its 6‑to‑1 undergraduate student‑to‑faculty ratio and residential college system that supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally.
Position Summary Reporting to the Associate Athletic Director of Development/Major Gifts, this role plans, organizes, and manages the development of complex major gift support for athletic fundraising priorities. Responsibilities include the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donor prospects capable of gifts at the $100K to $4.9M level, working with the Development team to prepare solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship strategies, and executing the fundraising strategy for a specific athletic campaign priority.
Ideal Candidate An entrepreneurial self‑starter with a demonstrated track record of securing major gift commitments, able to partner with divisional and university stakeholders to garner philanthropic resources on behalf of Rice University.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree
3+ years of related experience
No substitutions for education or experience are allowed Skills
Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
Advanced problem‑solving skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work well under pressure and manage projects simultaneously
Excellent organizational and time‑management skills
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
Excellent data analysis skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines
Adept at problem‑solving, creating contingency plans, and handling issues when necessary
Excellent client service orientation and attention to detail
Ability to lead and motivate others
Strategic skills to craft and implement fundraising and/or project plans
Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned
Preferences
6+ years of experience specified above and fundraising experience with an institution of higher education
Working knowledge of CRMs
Certified Fund‑Raising Executive (CFRE) certification
Essential Functions
Develop and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors, with an emphasis on $100K+ gifts
Identify fundraising priorities and devise plans and strategies to accomplish goals
Work collaboratively with coaches, athletic staff, and development colleagues in support of fundraising initiatives
Collaborate on development‑related communications and events
Perform all other duties as assigned
Additional Functions
Travel is required
Occasional evening and weekend work in support of special projects and events
Work with and supervise the efforts of volunteers involved in fundraising initiatives
Ability to work long periods of time in front of a computer
Benefits Rice University HR – Benefits information: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
Mission and Values Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713‑348‑5841 or adarice@rice.edu.
If you have any additional questions, please email jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.
Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Other
Industries Higher Education
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Position Summary Reporting to the Associate Athletic Director of Development/Major Gifts, this role plans, organizes, and manages the development of complex major gift support for athletic fundraising priorities. Responsibilities include the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donor prospects capable of gifts at the $100K to $4.9M level, working with the Development team to prepare solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship strategies, and executing the fundraising strategy for a specific athletic campaign priority.
Ideal Candidate An entrepreneurial self‑starter with a demonstrated track record of securing major gift commitments, able to partner with divisional and university stakeholders to garner philanthropic resources on behalf of Rice University.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree
3+ years of related experience
No substitutions for education or experience are allowed Skills
Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
Advanced problem‑solving skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work well under pressure and manage projects simultaneously
Excellent organizational and time‑management skills
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
Excellent data analysis skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines
Adept at problem‑solving, creating contingency plans, and handling issues when necessary
Excellent client service orientation and attention to detail
Ability to lead and motivate others
Strategic skills to craft and implement fundraising and/or project plans
Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned
Preferences
6+ years of experience specified above and fundraising experience with an institution of higher education
Working knowledge of CRMs
Certified Fund‑Raising Executive (CFRE) certification
Essential Functions
Develop and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors, with an emphasis on $100K+ gifts
Identify fundraising priorities and devise plans and strategies to accomplish goals
Work collaboratively with coaches, athletic staff, and development colleagues in support of fundraising initiatives
Collaborate on development‑related communications and events
Perform all other duties as assigned
Additional Functions
Travel is required
Occasional evening and weekend work in support of special projects and events
Work with and supervise the efforts of volunteers involved in fundraising initiatives
Ability to work long periods of time in front of a computer
Benefits Rice University HR – Benefits information: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
Mission and Values Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713‑348‑5841 or adarice@rice.edu.
If you have any additional questions, please email jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.
Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Other
Industries Higher Education
#J-18808-Ljbffr