Career Center

There’s never been a more exciting time to be part of the Development team at Wake Forest Athletics. Our three-phase program offers an outstanding opportunity to learn fundamental development operations from a successful and talented fundraising staff.

Our interns will have access to learning every aspect of how development and communications offices operate in a Power 5 conference school and will leave the program fully prepared for the next step in their career, as evidenced by our recent participants landing positions at top institutions.

The Deacon Club is committed to ensuring that each intern receives valuable experience through a variety of special projects and day-to-day interaction. Our program is designed so that the participant gains valuable experience and engagement with the Deacon Club’s primary areas of focus: Major Gifts, Annual Revenue Operations, Annual Fund Prospect Management, Fan Communications, Donor Experience, and Strategic Initiatives and Engagement (leadership councils and committees).

Now accepting applications from candidates interested in completing our 11-month program, starting August 1, 2022.

Learning Objectives: Fall Phase: August 1 – December 22 Learn about day-to-day development operations and department structure, as well as how special events and other efforts support the enterprise. Learn Blackbaud, Paciolan, Advizor, Adobe Campaign Client, Oracle Eloqua and other software systems to manage development operations. Learn about the planning, preparation and execution of donor events. Learn about the management of volunteer boards, councils and committees. Learn about graphic design best practices through the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly in relation to email marketing. At the Staff Retreat, interns participate in role play for development calls and learn the responsibilities of each development position. Learn how to evaluate challenges and opportunities in the fundraising environment.

Spring Phase: January 2 – June 30 Learn set up for reunions and observe high-end stewardship events. Learn about strategic communication best practices in speaking to specific, targeted audiences. Learn how to use data to evaluate the success of communications and transform data into actionable information. Learn how to oversee communication needs across multiple departments and introductory levels of project management. Learn to develop strategic long-term plans for prospects and the actions and best practices for reaching fundraiser targets and goals. Learn about our year-end fundraising push, securing new donors, annual fund renewals and solicitations.

Summer Program: May 15 – August 15 Learn the daily operations of a fundraising office including crucial planning stages. Learn how to plan communications in a long-term fashion in keeping with the needs and values of the department.

Supervisor’s Role: Learning will take place with various staff members including the Assistant Athletic Director of Annual Fund & Development, the Associate Athletic Director of Major Gifts, Assistant Athletic Director of Donor Experience, Assistant Athletic Director of Analytics & Development and the Director of Fan Communications. Their roles are to educate interns on all aspects of the responsibilities under their area. Interns will participate in role play and observe and shadow each supervisor.

At the conclusion of each phase, interns will document their learning experience and review the opportunity to continue to the next phase.

TO APPLY: Email letter of interest and resume (including 2 references) to Deacon Club at [email protected] with the subject line “Internship Application – Athletic Development”

4-year degree with prior experience in Athletic Development preferred. Must be proficient with Word, Excel spreadsheets and Google documents. We are seeking candidates who have excellent communication skills.