Department: Corporate

Reporting To: Derek Wall, Executive Director

General Job Description

This new multifaceted Director of Advancement (“D of A”) position will be responsible for the strategic leadership, in coordination with the Executive Director, to create new fundraising programs, events and campaigns that align with our Mission, “To develop swimmers for lifelong success.”  In addition, the D of A will be responsible for Social Media Presence, Corporate Sponsorship Program management, Booster Club Organization, Alumni relationships, grant writing and planning for the twenty-five (25) year anniversary celebration of the Triangle Aquatic Center (“TAC”) on June 27, 2027. The D of A will support and build strong relationships with the TAC TITANS membership and community to maximize philanthropic opportunities.

About the Triangle Aquatic Center

The Triangle Aquatic Center (“TAC”) is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit public aquatic facility located in Cary, North Carolina with a Mission, “To develop swimmers for lifelong success.”  TAC was built and funded with the support of the Michael G. Curran Family Foundation and by Triangle citizens and companies.  TAC receives no tax funding and is reliant on operational revenue to generate a vast majority of the $7 million budget with the balance coming from gifts, donations and volunteer service.  The 110,000-sf aquatic facility is built on a 21.5-acre aquatic campus, less than a mile off a major Interstate, I-40.  The facility includes two 50-Meter pools (one inside and one outside), a 10-lane 25-yard pool and a warm water instruction pool.  Supporting amenities include a 1,000-seat spectator stadium, a full-service cafe, Atrium (multipurpose space), Fitness Center, Classroom, outsourced Physical Therapy, and Gallery (multipurpose space).  The TAC TITANS program is a year-round swim team with 1,300 registered swimmers and is consistently ranked among the top 3 swim teams in the country by USA Swimming (SCY VCC). 

Major Responsibilities

Fundraising. Work to secure support for TAC based on annual targets set and agreed upon each budget cycle (September – August fiscal year).

Strategic Leadership.  To lead and provide strategic direction for all aspects of development, alumni relations, and constituent communication to optimize philanthropic opportunities.

Collaboration.  Collaborate with the Executive Director, TAC Staff Volunteers, and BOD Fundraising Committee to develop, manage and execute development programs, alumni relations, constituent communications, events and administrative functions.

Constituent Communications.  Create and review fundraising communications to constituents and act as liaison between TAC advancement initiatives, the Executive Director, TITANS parent support organizations, TITANS membership and the TAC community. Manage TAC and TAC TITANS social media presence, including engagement monitoring and post planning/review.

Operating System (“CRM”).  Research and recommend to the Executive Director a development operating system and sponsorship management system.  Once selected, manage and train staff on the operating systems that will provide a high level of administrative, tracking and communication services to optimize philanthropic opportunities and corporate sponsorship revenues.

 Reporting.  To coordinate corporate sponsorship activations as well as donations and expenses with the Finance Director & Executive Assistant to make sure there is proper reporting and administration.

Fundraising

Donation / Gifts.  Identify, develop, cultivate, solicit, and steward annual giving, mid-level, and major donors and prospects. Partner with the Board's Fundraising Committee and Executive Director in their cultivation and solicitation of donations and gifts.

Events.  Oversee all fundraising events. Ensure that events are coordinated and in alignment with TAC’s mission and community building goals.

Grants.  Provide overall strategic direction and research for the procurement of grants, contract compliance and reporting.

Presentations.  Develop and keep up to date fundraising literature and presentations.

Administration.  Responsible for the complete donation / gift administration, operating system, tracking, follow up and directory development.

Annual Budget.  Responsible for meeting revenue (gift & donation) targets and managing budgeted expenses in coordination with the Executive Director and Finance Director. 

25th Anniversary Celebration.  On June 27, 2027, the TAC organization will turn twenty-five (25) years old.  We want to use this milestone to celebrate TAC’s success and kick off our first major fundraising campaign, TBD.

TITANS Member Relations

The TAC TITANS is a USA Swimming year-round swim team with 1,300 swimmers ages 8 – 18 made up of approximately 800 families plus a small group of post-graduates (professional) swimmers and Masters swimmers.  The team started on October 1, 2012, and will complete its eleventh season August 31, 2024.  There are now over 150 seniors who have graduated from the program (“Alumni”), including Olympic swimmers, who need to be developed and nurtured to maintain engagement and create gifts and donation opportunities. The Triton Booster Club is a parent run organization that solicits memberships. Funds raised by the Booster Club benefit TITAN swimmers of all ages and abilities through scholarship programs, mental training, equipment provision, etc.

Identify Alumni.  Research and identify all Alumni who have graduated from the TAC Titans program and enter their contact information in the CRM.  Maintain and update Alumni contact information and life events (graduations, jobs, marriage, children, etc.).

Communication.  Create and administer a broad Alumni communication program, such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, TAC TITANS and life events to maintain engagement with TAC and the TAC TITANS constituents. Maintain TAC and TAC TITANS Social Media Accounts, ensure that engagement grows annually.

Programs & Events.  Create and execute programs and events that attract Alumni participation and engagement. Work in collaboration with the Triton Booster Club to create opportunities for members and prospective members to engage and socialize with staff, coaches, and other members.

Fundraising.  Create appropriate donation and gift opportunities for TITANS members, including Alumni and Booster Club members. Begin identifying and soliciting Alumni & members when appropriate for gifts and donations.

Constituent Communication, Leadership & Liaison

The Titans Leadership Council (“TLC”).  Attend TLC meetings and coordinate fundraising and donation opportunities with the TLC Leadership.

The Triton Club.  Attend Triton Booster Club meetings and coordinate fundraising and donation opportunities with the Triton Club leadership.

TAC Board of Directors.  Act as a liaison between the TAC BOD Fundraising Committee and TAC advancement initiatives.

Constituent Communications.  In coordination with the Executive Director, prepare and / or review all fundraising communications sent to TAC constituents to make sure they are consistent, professional and in alignment with TAC’s Mission.

Social Media Management. Work to increase reach and engagement across all social media accounts. Create content management and production plans, approve posts, and utilize social media to aid in the advancement of TAC’s mission.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership skills and proven development/advancement/fundraising experience.
• Highly organized and detailed oriented, with the ability to translate strategy into operational execution.
• Excellent communication skills, including strong oral, written, presentation and networking skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and comfortable working in a highly collaborative and dynamic growth-oriented work environment.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong working knowledge of social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.).
• Experience working with CRM’s.
• Willing to commit to ongoing professional education and growth, including adapting to fast developing technologies in social media and Artificial Intelligence.
• [Preferred] Competitive swimming background and passion for advancing the sport of swimming.

Start Date:  Q1 2025

Education: Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required. Post-Baccalaureate degree in Development, business, sports management, or a related discipline is preferred.

Experience: Minimum of five years of development experience with a history of soliciting and securing all levels of gifts, including five, six, and seven figures.

Work Schedule: In general, this position is scheduled to work at the Cary Aquatic Campus of the Triangle Aquatic Center, 275 Convention Drive, Cary, N.C. 27511 year-round.  As a nonprofit public aquatic facility that is a leader in hosting aquatic events, the work schedule requires flexibility to allow for weekend and evening events, meetings, and philanthropic responsibilities.

Compensation

Base Annual Salary: $70,000+; Commensurate with experience 

Performance Bonus: Start date, September 1, 2025; 10%          

401(k) Retirement: Eligible the first day of the quarter following 6 months of full-time employment. TAC matches 50% up to 4% of employee deferral.                                                                

Insurance: Eligible on the 1st day of the month following 90 days of full-time employment: Group Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance:   

-       75% TAC Contribution towards individual employee coverage (Medical, Dental & Vision)

-       25% TAC Contribution towards spouse & family coverage (Medical, Dental & Vision)

-       100% TAC Contribution (Life @ $50,000)

Internal Programs Credit: $1,000 credit per year. For use in all TAC & TITANS programs.

To Apply: Email resume, with cover letter, to dwall@triangleaquatics.org CC: lrosen@triangleaquatics.org

The above information is intended to describe the general job description and requirements for the performance of this position.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.  Specific tasks and deadlines may vary and will be provided to the employee by their supervisor.

About Triangle Aquatic Center

The Triangle Aquatic Center (TAC) is a state-of-the-art, privately-funded aquatic facility located in Cary, North Carolina. It serves as a hub for competitive and recreational swimming, aquatic education, and community events. The center is known for hosting regional, national, and international swim meets and offering a range of programs for swimmers of all ages and skill levels. One of these programs, the TAC Titans, is the competitive swim team. It is a premier USA Swimming club team, offering structured training and competition for swimmers at all levels, from beginners to elite athletes. The Triangle Aquatic Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Connections working at Triangle Aquatic Center