Director, Athletics Development Operations

Posting Details

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Posting Details (Default Section)

Posting Number:	20254519S
Position Title:	Director, Athletics Development Operations
Position Type:	Staff
Location:	Villanova, PA
Recruitment Type:	Internal/External Applicants
Work Schedule:	full-time/12-months
Avg Hours Week
Department:	604 - University Advancement
Position Summary:	Ignite Your Career at Villanova University! Whether undergraduate or graduate, faculty or staff, each community member brings with them a wealth of experiences that enrich our University and shift our perspectives. As a part of this community, your work will improve lives and ignite change! Why work at Villanova? Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University's founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others. Villanova has been included among the nation's best colleges and universities. VU's inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report's 2025 "Best Colleges" rankings is another indication of the University's continued prominence and forward momentum. Villanova's most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more. Villanova University has embarked on a 10-year strategic plan, Rooted. Restless., with the goal of enhancing the Augustinian Catholic living and learning experience for all members of our community. University Advancement is seeking exceptional talent to join our mission-driven team working together toward our shared vision for Villanova, fueled by the generosity of the University's philanthropic supporters as we "keep moving" in the spirit of St. Augustine in the public phase of Villanova's comprehensive capital campaign: Espiritus Nova. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Athletics Development, the Director of Athletics Development Operations designed to help support and the growing Villanova Athletics Development team. The Director of Athletics Development Operations is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership to support the fundraising efforts of Villanova Athletics. This position serves as a key partner to the Athletics Development team, overseeing the day-to-day management of systems, processes, and strategies that drive increased philanthropic revenue and long-term donor engagement. The Director will manage the Assistant Director of Athletics Development and serve as the primary point of contact for operational decisions related to events, communications, annual athletics appeals, alumni engagement, data requests, and stewardship initiatives. In addition, the Director will manage relationships with key third-party partners, including Legends, Playfly, and Friends of Nova, ensuring coordination and alignment with overall fundraising and engagement strategies. This individual will ensure that all departmental activities align with fundraising goals, institutional priorities, and the overall strategy for Villanova Athletics. The Director will collaborate closely with Athletics Development leadership, University Advancement partners, and Athletics administration to ensure that all fundraising initiatives are executed efficiently, data and reporting systems are optimized, and strategic goals are met. The successful candidate will possess strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage complex initiatives and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. They must also demonstrate exceptional communication, collaboration, and relationship-building abilities, enabling effective coordination with colleagues, campus partners, and external stakeholders. Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University's mission and values.
Duties and Responsibilities:	Operational Management: Oversee the daily operations of the Athletics Development office, ensuring effective coordination of fundraising, stewardship, and engagement activities. This includes building effective working relationships and partnering with key departments in University Advancement (including alumni relations, annual giving, advancement communications, advancement services, special events and stewardship) to support the strategic goals of the Villanova Athletics Development team. Identify opportunities to streamline and enhance internal workflows, communication systems, and donor engagement practices to improve efficiency and results. Responsible for the results of the programmatic annual giving for athletics to support both unrestricted departmental goals and individual sport annual fund goals. Strategy and Collaboration: Will establish collaborative and productive relationships with Athletics administration including the Villanova ticket office and third-party vendor relationships (including Legends, Playfly, and Friends of Nova) to ensure the Athletic Department's priorities, programs, and events are designed to advance the priorities of Athletics and more fully engage alumni, parents and friends. Serves as a strategic thought partner to the AVP, Athletics Development in developing campaigns and complex proposals for individual gift prospects. Staff Management: Manages and leads the Assistant Director of Athletics Development providing guidance, performance managements and professional development opportunities. Education and Collaboration: Work closely with colleagues across University Advancement to educate the team about Athletics priorities and work with frontline officers to align donor interests with athletics priorities to create a donor-centered environment that maximizes the philanthropic support to the University. Manages robust internal communications protocol by attending strategic and operational meetings within UA and Athletics and disseminating information. Engagement and Staffing: Serve as an ambassador for Villanova Athletics by attending events and fostering relationships with alumni, parents, and friends to advance strategic fundraising priorities and enhance the Athletics community. In conjunction with the AVP Athletics Development, assist in coordinating development activities as needed. Perform additional duties and assist with special projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:	Bachelor's degree required. Five to seven years of experience in fundraising operations, project management or sales/business development. Proven successful experience in designing and executing annual goal oriented fundraising campaigns and other complex advancement projects that generate revenue and/or steward donors. Experience in dealing with major gift prospects required. Commitment to higher education and a strong desire to associate with Villanova University and champion its mission required. Understanding of the University culture and the process for decision making and program development required. Strong verbal and written communication skills required. Strong organizational and project management experience required. Comfort level working in a team-oriented environment required, but also must be disciplined and result-oriented. Knowledge of general office equipment, including use of lap top computers, required.
Preferred Qualifications:	Master's degree preferred. Experience in higher education and/or intercollegiate athletics preferred. Preference will be given to candidates who have a basic understanding of tax implications for complex philanthropic gifts as well as the shifting industry trends in the college sports industry.
Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:	Ability and willingness to travel as well as work nights and weekends are required.
Special Message to Applicants:
Posting Date:	10/22/2025
Closing Date (11:59pm ET):
Salary Posting Information:	This position falls within salaried grade 17 and the range for this position is $100,000-105,500. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate's qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity.
Salary Band:	17
Job Classification:	exempt

References Needed

Minimum Number of References Needed	3
Maximum Number of References Needed	3

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PI279089770

Job ID: 80841920

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