Job Description

Lafayette College offers an outstanding opportunity for a motivated and driven individual to become part of an accomplished development team. Lafayette is a highly selective, liberal arts college with an endowment ranked in the top 2% nationally of independent colleges. Presently, the College is in the silent phase of a $600M capital campaign.

The Associate Athletic Director for Advancement at Lafayette College is a fundraising partner based in the Advancement division. Reporting to the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Advancement, the Associate AD will play a central role in supporting Lafayette’s strategic athletics fundraising priorities—aligning with the College’s strategic plan—and in expanding philanthropic support for the College’s 23-sport Division I Patriot League athletics program.

Working in close partnership with the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Advancement, this role will actively support and execute strategies for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and leadership gifts. The Associate AD will play a key role in integrating athletics priorities into campaign planning, collaborating in the areas of donor engagement and communications, and fostering collaboration among coaches, athletics administrators, and central advancement partners. The position is instrumental in driving philanthropic revenue growth to strengthen student-athlete experiences, enhance facilities and scholarships, and advance programmatic excellence—ultimately contributing to Lafayette’s competitive distinction within the Patriot League and beyond.

The role will lead all volunteer management responsibilities, including the Maroon Club Executive Committee, the Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, and all “Friends of” groups that engage alumni, parents, and supporters in advancing Lafayette Athletics.

Serving as the primary advancement liaison for an assigned selection of sport programs, the Associate AD will partner closely with coaches, athletics administration, and central advancement functions to ensure strong alignment across fundraising and engagement efforts.

The Associate Athletic Director is an integral member of both the College’s Advancement team and the Department of Athletics. The position reports to the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Advancement, under the leadership of the Associate Vice President for Individual Giving. The Associate AD is accountable for spearheading initiatives focused on athletics major gift fundraising, monitoring and reporting on progress toward goals, and helping to ensure the continued growth of a vibrant culture of philanthropy in support of Lafayette’s scholar-athletes and teams. The Associate AD also supervises the Assistant Athletic Director for Advancement position.

Fundraising:

• Manage a portfolio of major gift ($100K+), leadership gift ($25K+) and leadership annual gift ($2,500+) prospects (LCF, Maroon, and current use restricted), developing and implementing individualized strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Partner with the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Advancement and the advancement colleagues to align donor opportunity proposals with athletic priorities, including athletic scholarships, endowments, coach support, student athlete academic and development programming, and Capital/facilities needs.
• Partner with the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Advancement to create an annual fundraising plan for each sport with input, approval, and participation from the coaches.
• Secure philanthropic commitments that advance priorities for student-athlete support, facilities, endowments, and programmatic excellence.
• Develop and expand corporate partnership and sponsorship opportunities in collaboration with external business partners and third-party organizations to enhance athletics revenue generation and engagement efforts.

Volunteer and Alumni Engagement:

• Retain leadership and operational oversight of the Maroon Club Golf Outing, including donor engagement, sponsorship coordination, and event fundraising strategy.
• Manage all volunteer activities related to athletics advancement, including the Maroon Club Executive Committee, Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, and sport-specific “Friends of” groups.
• Foster meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, and friends to strengthen engagement and philanthropy.

Supervision, Collaboration and Liaison Roles:

• Supervise the Assistant Athletic Director for Advancement position.
• Serve as the primary advancement liaison for designated athletics programs, including field hockey, soccer, and lacrosse.
• Act as the strategic lead and collaborative partner for Maroon Club Excellence Fund initiatives, driving donor participation, stewardship, and fundraising growth.
• Serve as the advancement liaison for a selection of sport programs.
• Partner with coaches, athletics leadership, and campus colleagues to ensure alignment of fundraising initiatives with institutional and athletic goals.
• Represent Lafayette Athletics Advancement at events, athletic contests, and donor, alumni, and community gatherings to strengthen visibility and cultivate meaningful relationships.
• Coordinate with coaches and athletics administrators to understand program needs, prioritize initiatives, and develop fundraising prospects and proposals.
• Work with other units in Advancement (e.g., annual giving, alumni relations, corporate relations, development services) to ensure seamless donor experience and efficient use of resources.

Strategic and Operational Excellence:

• Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and leadership to entry-level or assistant advancement staff within athletics development operations.
• Contribute to the development and execution of short- and long-term strategies that advance athletics fundraising and engagement goals.
• Track progress toward fundraising metrics and ensure timely and accurate reporting of results.
• Uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and donor-centered practice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Highly energetic and engaging individual with at least 5 years of fundraising experience or 7 years of related experience with a proven track record in related fields (i.e., marketing, sales).
• Strong volunteer management experience, with the ability to lead committees and inspire alumni and parent engagement.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to build trust and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, ability to set and meet ambitious goals, and capacity to manage multiple priorities.
• Familiarity with donor database/CRM tools; comfortable using data to manage donor pipelines and evaluate fundraising effectiveness.
• Understanding of the role of intercollegiate athletics in a liberal arts college setting and enthusiasm for Lafayette’s mission and traditions.
• Ability to travel, including some evenings and weekends, and to attend athletic and advancement events.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to set vision, align initiatives with institutional priorities, and drive measurable results.
• Fundraising Acumen: Deep understanding of annual giving strategies, donor behavior, and CRM databases.
• Team Leadership & Development: Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.
• Collaboration & Influence: Skilled at building partnerships and working cross-functionally to achieve shared goals.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft
• Volunteer Engagement: Experience effectively recruiting, training, and managing volunteers to advance fundraising goals.

Application Instructions

Please provide cover letter, resume and contact information for three references.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Lafayette College does not discriminate, or permit discrimination, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, religion, age, military or veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or familial status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law in any educational programs and activities it operates, including admissions or employment, as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 (which requires that the College not discriminate on the basis of sex); the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (which require that the College not discriminate on the basis of disability); Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (which requires that the College not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin); Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (which requires that the College not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin); the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (which requires that the College not discriminate on the basis of age); and other applicable laws and College policies. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Director of Educational Equity/Title IX Coordinator. Copies of relevant policies and procedures can be found at https://sash.lafayette.edu/policies-laws/.