Assistant Athletic Director for Advancement #000470

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, UNC Asheville is the designated public liberal arts campus in the University of North Carolina system. UNC Asheville is nationally known for the quality of our student-centered teaching, mentoring of undergraduates in research, interdisciplinary learning, and a welcoming campus community.

In addition to award-winning faculty, UNCA has also ranked high in Research.com, US News & World Report and the Princeton Review in 2025.

Research.com - #8 in Best Colleges, #11 Most Affordable Colleges in NC, #16 Best Value Colleges in NC

US News & World Report - #9 in Top Public Schools

Princeton Reviews - #7 in Top 50 Guide to Green Schools

Employees of UNCA are provided with a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employees may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are group exercise classes, and free access to the campus recreation center for full time employees, vaccine shots are also offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

Typical office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Regular evening and weekend work is required, as well as the ability to travel.

Reporting to the Special Assistant to the AD/Major Gifts, the Assistant AD for Advancement will develop and implement long- and short-term strategic plans for the Annual Fund, Alumni Engagement, and Sports Enhancement initiatives to support the overall fundraising and advancement goals of the Bulldog Athletic Association ("Foundation"). This individual will lead efforts to grow annual giving, strengthen relationships with alumni and supporters, enhance alumni engagement, and secure financial resources to support athletic programs, facilities, equipment, and student-athlete experiences. The Assistant AD will work collaboratively with alumni, friends, volunteers, corporations, and community members to advance fundraising priorities and achieve annual goals, objectives, and strategies established in partnership with the Director of Athletics. This position will have established annual fundraising and engagement goals and performance metrics and will serve as an upper-level athletic department administrator, contributing to the long-term growth, visibility, and success of Bulldog Athletics.

The primary focus will be to engage constituent members and prospects via face-to-face meetings, group settings, and events in order to cultivate, solicit, and steward existing donors and prospects. This position works closely with athletics staff, Learfield employees, and coaches to create opportunities to engage donors.

The main target donors and prospects will have hospitality and parking benefits, so this position will have to coordinate all the logistics, planning, and distribution of solicitation materials and parking/hospitality materials.

The employee will be expected to work collaboratively and effectively with a wide variety of constituents. This position requires a high energy level, unquestioned integrity and fiscal accountability, and the ability to plan and achieve short- and long-range fundraising goals. The Assistant AD for Advancement will be a front-facing ambassador for the University and its mission.

Master's degree. May also consider a Bachelor's degree from a four-year accredited college or university, preferably in business, communications, or sport management.

Minimum of two to four years of direct fundraising experience with an annual fund required.

This position requires a valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record.

To be considered, application must be made online.

Attach a cover letter, current resume, and a list of professional references (including complete contact information with name, title, address, email, and phone) to complete the application.

For questions and additional information, please contact Colin Smith, csmith34@unca.edu

The University of North Carolina Asheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 251-6605 or email to hr@unca.edu.

UNC Asheville uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

The UNC Asheville Annual Safety Report is available online at UNCA Safety Report. For more information please contact the Assistant Vice Chancelor for Institutional Integrity & Access/Clery Act Compliance Officer at (828) 232-5658 or email oiia@unca.edu . The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.