Senior Director of Athletic Development

Job Summary

Towson University (TU) has earned distinction as both a top‑100 public university and one of the nation's great colleges to work for. Located north of Baltimore, TU enrolls over 19,000 students and is the second‑largest university in the University System of Maryland. Towson University fosters a climate grounded in respect that cultivates the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.

The Senior Director of Athletic Development will lead TU's efforts to cultivate, secure, and retain all philanthropic support for TU Athletic teams, programs, and students.

• Serve as the Lead Development Officer for TU Athletics.
• Achieve all assigned financial, donor, and activity goals to support the successful execution of annual and multi‑year fundraising objectives for Towson Athletics.
• Partner regularly with the Director of Athletics and coaches to identify priority needs, develop compelling funding opportunities, and advance philanthropic initiatives that elevate the student‑athlete experience.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects capable of supporting Athletics and the broader priorities of Towson University.
• Develop and implement Athletics‑specific fundraising and communications strategies that strengthen constituent engagement, increase philanthropic revenue, and grow the number of donors to Athletics.
• Promote and cross‑sell philanthropic opportunities across the university, ensuring that prospects connected to Athletics are also aware of additional institutional priorities where their interests may align.
• Conduct a minimum of 10 meaningful external visits each month with prospects and donors, including at least two visits jointly with the Director of Athletics and/or coaching partners.
• Actively engage every prospect within the assigned portfolio, advancing individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies that move prospects through the giving cycle.
• Collaborate with internal and external revenue‑generating units, including University Ticketing Operations and other campus partners, to coordinate outreach, align messaging, and ensure a seamless donor and fan experience.
• Manage and develop a high‑performing Athletics Development team.
• Supervise, mentor, and support Athletics development staff to increase philanthropic support for Athletics and achieve annual and multi‑year fundraising goals.
• Hold regular individual and team meetings to review workplans, assess progress toward goals, develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for top prospects, and provide coaching to strengthen fundraising effectiveness and improve yield ratios.
• Design and implement annual giving cultivation, engagement, and solicitation strategies that enhance donor satisfaction, deepen affinity, and increase donor retention across Athletics.
• Grow membership in Athletics leadership giving societies through targeted outreach, personalized stewardship, and strategic engagement.
• Monitor team performance and intervene proactively to ensure goals are met, identifying opportunities for professional development, resource alignment, and strategic adjustments when necessary.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across University Advancement to cultivate, engage, and steward donors in a coordinated, positive, and professional manner that reflects TU’s values and supports institutional priorities.
• Serve as a strategic resource across the Athletics Department by collaborating with members of the Athletics Leadership Team and staff to advance departmental goals and support priority initiatives that strengthen the overall success, visibility, and reputation of TU Athletics.
• Facilitate and steward external relationships—including alumni, donors, corporate partners, and community stakeholders—to benefit Athletics beyond philanthropic support and enhance the broader student‑athlete and fan experience.
• Supervise a staff of two Assistant Directors and partner with the Director of Athletics and the Associate Vice President for Development to achieve financial goals for the university’s athletic funding.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Three years of non‑profit leadership and major gift…