Principal Gift Officer, Athletics

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with ASUF leadership, Sun Devil Athletics leadership, including the Athletics Director, head coaches, and senior athletics administrators, to cultivate and steward authentic, high-impact relationships with donors and prospects aligned with athletic priorities.
• Serve as a strategic connector between donors and ASU Athletics leadership, coaches, and student-athlete initiatives, ensuring prospects are engaged in ways that reflect their interests while advancing departmental goals.
• Lead the development of compelling proposals and investment opportunities, including written proposals, budgets, naming opportunities, and customized collateral that articulate the vision and competitive aspirations of Sun Devil Athletics.
• Provide senior-level fundraising counsel to athletics leadership on emerging priorities, campaign strategies, donor readiness, and marketplace opportunities impacting intercollegiate athletics.
• Participate in strategic planning and campaign leadership for athletics fundraising initiatives, working with ASUF and Athletics leadership to identify funding needs, growth opportunities, and donor-aligned strategies.
• Maintain rigorous prospect management practices, ensuring accurate tracking of visits, solicitations, and stewardship activities within ASUF systems and in alignment with foundation protocols.
• Ensure exemplary stewardship and recognition of athletics donors, reinforcing long-term relationships and sustained philanthropic engagement with Sun Devil Athletics.
• Serve as project manager for complex, multi-layered athletics proposals involving multiple stakeholders, institutional priorities, and long-term funding commitments.
• Manage assigned budgets, ensuring maximum philanthropic ROI while maintaining fiscal discipline and accountability.
• Maintain current knowledge of key alumni, donors, and national athletics fundraising trends, and partner with research colleagues to proactively identify and qualify new prospects.
• Other duties as assigned, in support of Sun Devil Athletics advancement goals.

Requirements

• A creative, entrepreneurial approach to athletics fundraising, paired with intellectual curiosity and strong self-direction.
• Demonstrated professional credibility and executive presence to build trust with athletics leadership, donors, coaches, and institutional partners.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to translate athletics vision and competitive ambitions into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• High-level interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate complex relationships across athletics, the university, and external constituencies.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with experience synthesizing information into persuasive proposals and strategic concepts.
• The ability to operate with flexibility, discretion, and sound judgment in a fast-paced, high-visibility athletics environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to ethics, confidentiality, and donor trust, particularly in athletics-related advancement.
• Proven success in raising donor aspirations, securing transformational gifts, and advancing institution-wide athletic initiatives.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
• A genuine passion for intercollegiate athletics and the abi

Benefits

Additional Information

Principal Gift Officer Sun Devil Athletics, in partnership with the ASU Foundation (ASUF), advances Arizona State University's mission by building transformational partnerships with alumni, fans, and donors, who believe in the power of athletics to elevate institutional pride, student-athlete success, and national competitiveness. The Principal Gift Officer, Athletics will work in close partnership with ASUF leadership and Sun Devil Athletics executive leadership to design and execute the most significant philanthropic opportunities supporting ASU Athletics. The Principal Gift Officer will personally manage a portfolio of 40-50 ultra-high-net-worth individuals and organizations toward optimal engagement, investment, and long-term partnership with Sun Devil Athletics.

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