Development Officer/Senior Development Officer - Athletics

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 participation in athletic events. Additionally, this position (and all positions in our division) requires the occasional evening and weekend work to support university events including Homecoming, Family Weekend and Reunion Weekend. We do ask staff to mark their calendars in advance for these events.

Candidates will be hired into the Development Officer, Athletics or Senior Development Officer, Athletics role following a review of their skills and experience against the minimum qualifications. The position may be considered for a hybrid work arrangement, with the expectation of a regular on-campus presence and active participation in athletic events and activities. 

• Salary Range for Development Officer, Athletics: $72,600 - $90,800

• Salary Range for Senior Development Officer, Athletics: $88,000 - $110,000

Successful candidates are highly organized and relationship-oriented, with the ability to build trust and navigate complex relationships with discretion and professionalism. You will be comfortable working independently while also thriving in a collaborative, team-based fundraising environment. A strategic, curious mindset and a genuine interest in building meaningful relationships are essential. Above all, this role requires strong judgment, confidentiality, and professionalism both within University Advancement and across the broader University community.

Minimum qualifications (Development Officer, Athletics)

• Bachelor's degree and four (4) years of successful experience in fundraising, sales, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Broad knowledge of the principles of fundraising in collegiate sports

• Demonstrates practical application and experience with technology such as database functions/reports, and Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Suite

• Demonstrable track record of creative and collaborative strategy that results in successful closures of gifts/sales/related experience or in building relationships

• Valid U.S. driver's license

Preferred qualifications (Development Officer, Athletics )

• Major gift experience with a successful track record of closing six- and seven-figure gifts in a higher education setting

• Proven success building revenue generating programs 

• Experience in athletics fundraising or related role

• Knowledge of and commitment to NCAA rules compliance, as well as familiarity with NCAA Division I athletic programs

Minimum qualifications (Sr Development Officer, Athletics )

• Bachelor's degree and six (6) years of successful experience in fundraising, sales, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Broad knowledge of the principles of fundraising in collegiate sports

• Demonstrates practical application and experience with technology such as database functions/reports, and Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Suite

• Demonstrable track record of creative and collaborative strategy that results in successful closures of gifts/sales/related experience or in building relationships

• Valid U.S. driver's license

Preferred qualifications (Sr Development Officer, Athletics )

• Eight (8) years of leadership and major gift experience with a successful track record of closing six- and seven-figure gifts in a higher education setting

• Proven success building revenue generating programs 

• Experience in athletics fundraising or related role

• Knowledge of and commitment to NCAA rules compliance, as well as familiarity with NCAA Division I athletic programs

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time; sit at a computer and use a mouse/keyboard for long periods of time.

• Must be able to work in a demanding environment with multiple competing deadlines and frequent interruptions.

• Must be able to travel with or without accommodations

We are looking for exceptional people who will embrace our values:

• Lead with Integrity

• Embrace a Collaborative and Inclusive Spirit

• Be Open and Receptive

• Nurture Creativity and Innovation

• Foster a Culture of Empowerment and Knowledge

University Advancement is here to advance the mission of Bucknell University by engaging the Bucknell community. It is only through the support of alumni, parents and friends – by opening doors to career opportunities, engaging others to join the conversation and community, and entrusting us with their philanthropic commitments – that we can further elevate Bucknell as a leader in undergraduate education. These values illustrate how we bring, as a division, the University's strategic plan to life and exercise our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion on a daily basis.

Job Exempt:

Yes

Salary Range:

72,600.00-110,000.00

The offer rate will be based on a review of the candidate's credentials compared to the qualifications of the position, internal equity, and our overall compensation philosophy. 

This role is not budgeted for visa sponsorship, all candidates must be authorized to work in the US without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

Benefits:

Eligible full- and part-time employees are compensated beyond base salary through our total rewards package that includes (but is not limited to):

• Flexible scheduling options determined by role; 
• Medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
• An outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time, a community service day, and 19 paid holidays (including two full weeks off for Winter Break!)
• Full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children. Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
• A comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
• A myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card 

To learn more about Bucknell's benefits, click here! (*Eligibility criteria and waiting periods may apply.)

Inclusive Excellence:
Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community.  We endeavor to enhance our capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings.  We encourage all individuals to apply and do not discriminate in admissions, employment, educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

This position is open to hybrid/remote candidates located in the following states: CA, CT, FL, GA, IN, MA, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, PA, SC, TX, and VA. Candidates must be physically located and authorized to work in one of these approved states at the time of application and throughout employment.

E-Verify

Bucknell University participates with the United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) E-Verify program.  We will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

For additional information regarding Bucknell's E-Verify requirements, please contact the office of Talent, Culture & Human Resources (570) 577-1631 or email hr@bucknell.edu.