Assistant Director of Development, UNO Athletics

Grow, engage, and solicit donors to enable the University of Nebraska Foundation to change lives and save lives.

• Do you have a passion for the impact of collegiate athletics, specifically the University of Nebraska Omaha Athletics?

• Does the opportunity to gain experience and learn about the art and science of fundraising excite you?

• Are you a go-getter who enjoys finding creative ways to get a variety of tasks completed?

• Do you have the emotional intelligence and authenticity to meaningfully connect with people to build long term relationships on behalf of the University?

If so, we invite you to apply for one of these exciting opportunities!

At the University of Nebraska Foundation, we grow relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. We believe that our strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is essential to accomplishing this mission through our values of teamwork, integrity, and passion for mission. We invite, explore, and celebrate differences to increase productivity, spark innovation and most importantly, accomplish our mission.

Did you know that in 2023-24 Omaha Athletics proudly…….

• Ranked #4 nationally in Hockey attendance, including seven sellouts.

• Had Men’s Soccer, Volleyball, Softball, and Hockey qualify for the NCAA tournament.

• Made intentional and meaningful strides towards holistic mental health support for all UNO student athletes through philanthropic support. One example being the hiring of a mental health practitioner dedicated full-time to student athletes.

You will join the foundation at an exciting time, with the opportunity to make a transformational impact. The foundation is in the public phase of a historic campaign to raise $3 billion to build a better future for Nebraska. The campaign is being led by many enthusiastic volunteers representing all areas of the University of Nebraska System. In addition to joining our talented team of development professionals, successful candidates will have the opportunity to be part of an innovative advancement program that will change the face of major gift officer training. This position will play a key role in donor pipeline management and development through identifying major gift leads by focusing on developing the next generation of donors.

Ways you will make an impact:

• Communicate with administrators, coaches, and volunteers on behalf of Omaha Athletics to establish fundraising priorities and opportunities and involve them in the appropriate donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and reporting functions.

• Actively engage with and build relationships with a portfolio of supporters and prospects.

• Manage a hand-selected portfolio of donors that are key supporters to The One Fund and have the capacity to give at the $25,000+ gift level.

• Leverage technology including social media platforms and video conferencing software tools to build rapport, steward and solicit donors in a donor-centric, targeted, high-velocity manner.

• Serve as point person in generating challenge gifts and volunteer participation in giving days and other grassroots campaigns.

• Proactively monitor engagement to identify and launch initiatives that drive donations.

• Execute disciplined touchpoint cadences across portfolio to ensure consistent and relevant donor communication, utilizing a donor engagement process.

• Meet and exceed clearly defined activity, donor and revenue retention, and reactivation goals.

Who we want:

• Relationally talented and collaborative individuals who can make authentic connections and facilitate meaningful conversations with a wide variety of people.

• Strategic and solution focused individuals can see the larger picture while understanding the impact of individual efforts and successes.

• Driven and organized individuals who can manage their time well to exceed established goals and intended outcomes.

• Positive communicators who desire to achieve excellence and deliver quality.

• Self-motivated and disciplined professionals with an unceasing “can do” attitude.

• Energetic learners who are inquisitive and desire to continually grow in their career.

What you need:

• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree. Preferred Education: Master’s Degree.

• Minimum Experience: 1-3 years’ experience in development or another related field. Preferred Experience: Experience in collegiate athletics whether as a student athlete or a professional staff member.

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills across mediums, especially via video conferencing.

• Strong collaboration and organizational skills, as well as the ability to prioritize effectively.

• Demonstrated strong work ethic.

• Ability to handle confidential material responsibly and interact professionally with a wide spectrum of individuals.

• Candidates will also be evaluated on our core values of passion for mission, integrity, and teamwork.

What we offer:

• This position will work in our Omaha office. We offer flexibility for hybrid work. This position will require extensive evenings and weekends.

• Mission-driven work that changes lives and saves lives.

• A strengths-based, engagement-focused, and performance-oriented culture.

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities that celebrate diversity and encourage your career growth.

• An award-winning wellness program.

• 12 weeks of paid medical leave, including maternity and paternity leave.

• 12 paid holidays and generous vacation time.

• A generous retirement match and multiple incentive compensation programs.

• University of Nebraska tuition reimbursement for you and your dependents.

Who we are:

• Recognition by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as one of America’s Favorite Charities.

• Founded in 1936, the University of Nebraska Foundation provides support for the campuses in the university system — the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center and its primary clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine.

• Among public universities, the University of Nebraska ranks in the top 25 nationally for both funds raised and endowed assets under management.

• The foundation has a reputation for efficiency and effectiveness, raising more than $7 for every $1 spent.

• Winner of Gallup’s Don Clifton Strengths-Based Culture Award.

• Winner of the Governor’s Harvester Wellness Award, the highest honor for corporate wellness.

The University of Nebraska Foundation is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that celebrates, supports, and promotes diversity and inclusion. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.