Job Description - Deputy Athletic Director of Development
Deputy Athletic Director for Development
UC San Diego Intercollegiate Athletics | La Jolla, California
Position Details
Department: Intercollegiate Athletics
Location: On-Site, La Jolla, CA
Salary Range: $140,000 to $160,000 annually, commensurate with experience
About UC San Diego Intercollegiate Athletics
UC San Diego is one of the world's leading public research universities, consistently ranked among the top 15 universities globally and top 10 among public institutions. Located on a coastal bluff in La Jolla overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the campus serves more than 40,000 students and is a nationally recognized hub for innovation and discovery.
UC San Diego Athletics competes as a full NCAA Division I member of the Big West Conference, supporting more than 600 student-athletes across 24 varsity sports. Having recently completed its transition to Division I, the program is at an exciting stage of growth, with expanding facilities, a rising national profile, and significant momentum. The athletics development function operates within a dual-reporting structure, maintaining alignment with both the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the central UC San Diego Office of Advancement.
About the Position
The Deputy Athletic Director for Development serves as the lead fundraising officer for UC San Diego Intercollegiate Athletics and holds a seat on the athletics senior leadership team. This position is responsible for designing and managing a comprehensive development program encompassing individual major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, and capital campaign activity. The successful candidate will work in close partnership with the Director of Athletics, central Advancement colleagues, and head coaches to build a robust and sustainable philanthropic pipeline in support of the department's strategic priorities.
This is a relationship-driven, externally facing role requiring an entrepreneurial approach to donor engagement. The Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development will serve as a visible ambassador for Triton Athletics within the San Diego community and the broader UC San Diego constituent base.
Primary Responsibilities
Major and Principal Gift Fundraising
Manage a personal portfolio of 75 to 100 major gift prospects, with a focus on gifts of $25,000 and above and a personal fundraising goal of $1.5 to $2.5 million annually.
Lead all phases of the gift cycle, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, for individual donors, corporate prospects, and foundation partners.
Prepare proposals, gift agreements, and solicitation materials; position the Director of Athletics and head coaches to participate in donor cultivation and solicitation activities.
Pursue corporate philanthropy and foundation opportunities in collaboration with the central Advancement Corporate and Foundation Relations team.
Maintain accurate and timely records of all prospect activity in the university's donor management system.
Annual Giving and External Engagement
Oversee all annual fund development activity, including sport-specific giving programs and booster organization operations, with a revenue target of $1.5 to $2.5 million annually.
Build and maintain volunteer leadership through active engagement with advisory boards and key alumni and community constituencies.
Serve as a visible representative of UC San Diego Athletics within the greater San Diego community, cultivating relationships with local business leaders, civic organizations, and community stakeholders.
Collaborate with the Director of Athletics and university leadership to pursue naming rights, sponsorships, and other revenue-generating partnerships.
Capital Campaign and Staff Leadership
Lead athletics-specific capital campaign planning and execution, ensuring alignment with any future comprehensive university campaign.
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate development staff, establishing clear performance expectations and fostering a high-performing team culture.
Ensure adherence to UC system policies, NCAA regulations, and all applicable compliance requirements related to athletics fundraising and donor relations.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a related field; advanced degree preferred.
Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible major gift fundraising experience, preferably within higher education or intercollegiate athletics.
Demonstrated and verifiable track record of personally soliciting and closing major gifts of $25,000 or more, with six-figure gift experience strongly preferred.
Proven ability to design and manage comprehensive fundraising programs across annual giving, major gifts, and donor stewardship.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling proposals and donor correspondence.
Experience managing and developing fundraising staff.
Proficiency with donor management and CRM systems.
Valid driver's license and ability to meet UC San Diego vehicle operation requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior fundraising experience within NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics.
Familiarity with the UC San Diego or broader UC system advancement infrastructure.
Experience with capital campaign planning and execution in a higher education setting.
Existing relationships within the San Diego philanthropic and business community.
Knowledge of corporate philanthropy, foundation relations, and planned giving.
Equal Opportunity Statement
UC San Diego is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. UC San Diego offers a competitive benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage, retirement savings plans, and generous paid leave.
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