Development Officer/Senior Development Officer - Athletics at Bucknell University

Job description

Position Title: Development Officer/Senior Development Officer - Athletics Position Type: Full time Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Categories: Staff Exempt Job Summary: ** Multiple Positions Available ** Bucknell University is seeking talented, relationship-driven Athletics Development Officers and Senior Development Officers to join our growing University Advancement team in preparation for our campaign. These roles will collaborate with Bucknell’s Strategic Philanthropy Team as well as head coaches with the goal of securing significant revenue for Athletics. These positions involve frequent travel as well as athletic event attendance to build and strengthen relationships with key donors, offering opportunities to engage directly with alumni, parents, and friends. Whether you are a strong major gift fundraiser ready to grow or a seasoned professional prepared for higher expectations, Bucknell offers a collaborative environment where strategy, relationships, and results matter. Job Duties: Reporting Relationship: Reports to the Senior Associate Athletic Director, Revenue Generation & Strategic Advancement Work Setting/Schedule: This is a full-time role (40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year) This position requires a regular on-campus presence, frequent travel, and attendance at athletic and other university events. Evening and weekend work will be required periodically based on travel, events, and donor engagement activities. What You Will Do: Are you energized by building meaningful relationships and connecting people to a bigger mission? Do you bring curiosity, strategic thinking, and a thoughtful approach to your work? Are you comfortable taking ownership of your portfolio while collaborating across University Advancement and the broader campus? If so, this role could be a great fit. We are looking for someone who navigates complex situations with professionalism and care, thrives in a team environment, and balances independent initiative with collaboration ​ Portfolio Management (70%): Consistently engage in strategic face-to-face meetings with athletic prospects and donors to advance them through the donor continuum. Secure individual gifts of $100,000 or more and meet annual data-driven metrics. Manage all aspects of the portfolio, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Build and grow a healthy prospect pipeline across alumni, parents, and friends of the University. Plan and host campus visits and experiences that prepare donors for leadership-level giving. Appropriately steward existing donors to foster enduring relationships. Maintain accurate and timely donor and prospect records, including contact reports, strategies, and next steps. Staff athletic and large scale campus events and plan visits for individual constituents to return to campus for meaningful cultivation. Travel frequently to support portfolio engagement and stewardship. Strategy, Outreach & Engagement (30%): Develop strategies that align athletic donor interests with Bucknell’s priorities. Collaborate with university leadership to tailor approaches for engaging donors effectively and maximize fundraising outcomes. Participate in portfolio strategy reviews Partner with University Advancement colleagues to oversee strategic athletic development events and subsequent intentional follow-up to secure gifts The job description's listed responsibilities and task are not exhaustive, additional non-essential tasks and responsibilities may be assigned as needed. Please note that applications without a cover letter are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Your cover letter is an opportunity to share your motivation for applying. Please describe why the Athletics Development Officer role at Bucknell is of interest to you and how your skills and experiences connect to the responsibilities of the position. We are looking for thoughtful, genuine interest beyond a summary of your resume. Evening and weekend work will be required for