Assistant Director Athletic Annual Giving (HR Title: Stewardship Officer I)

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Assistant Director Athletic Annual Giving (HR Title: Stewardship Officer I) - (DEA00000473)

Description

 

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

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Assistant Director Athletic Annual Giving (HR Title: Stewardship Officer I) - (DEA00000473)

Description

 

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

Development and External Affairs (DEA) supports SMU by securing funding for University priorities; by promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the University; by heightening international, national, state and local awareness of SMU; and by supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body.

DEA comprises the offices of Office of the Senior Vice President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Development Services, Program Services and Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Principal and Major Gifts, and School and Project Development.

SMU continues to leverage the benefits from the largest fundraising campaign in its history to achieve dramatic increases in academic quality and impact.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Athletic Development Officer of Annual Giving assists the Athletics Development Office with donor acquisition and retention strategies and supports the department's annual giving efforts. The position reports to the Assistant Athletics Director for Development within the Mustang Club. Key responsibilities include developing an annual appeal strategy, developing new donor acquisition strategies and developing new affinity group strategies. Some event management and content creation duties required.

Essential Functions:

• Donor Base Expansion & Campaign Implementation: 
  • Implement comprehensive annual giving strategies to broaden the donor base and increase revenue.
  • Strategically grow membership by identifying and promoting giving opportunities and membership benefits.
  • Coordinate Giving Day efforts and other digital fundraising initiatives.                                                                            • Collaborate with staff liaisons to support sport-specific fundraising initiatives.
  • Develop and execute a plan to expand and retain Young Alumni members. 

• Marketing and Communications: 
  • Lead multi-channel campaigns (direct mail, email, phone, digital) aimed at driving donations and expanding reach.
  • Work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment with broader athletic and institutional goals.
  • Communicate effectively with donors, alumni, and fans to foster meaningful engagement.                                            • Represent the athletics department at events, games, and other public-facing activities.

• Prospect Development & Data Insights: 
  • Identify and cultivate new prospects to build the annual giving pipeline.
  • Pull and sort donor lists from the CRM and other relevant data sources to provide detailed, actionable insights to development officers.
  • Segment donor data to ensure targeted and personalized outreach efforts that align with donor interests and giving history, ensuring high levels of engagement and retention.                                                                                                • Analyze data to evaluate campaign effectiveness and donor engagement.
  • Create customized messaging strategies based on data insights, enhancing donor engagement and maximizing fundraising outcomes.

• Donor Engagement & Development Operations:
  • Assist with the planning and execution of donor events, hospitality, and stewardship efforts.
  • Maintain accurate and timely donor records in the fundraising CRM.
  • Manage the Priority Points Program, ensuring accurate tracking, communication, and integration with ticketing and donor benefit structures.                                                                                                                                                    • Assist with season ticket allocation processes, working closely with ticketing and development staff to ensure donor priorities and seating benefits are properly honored.

• Occasional evening and/or weekend working hours are required. 

• Occasional travel for work related events is required. 

• Cellphone usage is expected as part of this role, as is the ability to check SMU e-mail regularly. 

 

Qualifications

 

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree is required.

A minimum of 2 years of experience is required. Work experience that includes annual giving, reporting, marketing and communications, data analysis and data analytics is preferred. 

Internship, volunteer, or work experience in higher education, specifically athletics administration is a plus. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. The ability to disseminate information to precise and effective written communications is essential. 

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.  

Database experience with Blackbaud and/or Paciolan is preferred.

Candidate must demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, spelling and grammar.

Experience with PowerPoint or other graphic software is a plus.

Candidate must have strong customer service and interpersonal skills and the ability to be self-motivated. 

Candidate must have the ability to learn new applications quickly. 

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Bend
• Reach above shoulders
• Carry/lift 25 lbs.
• Squat
• Handle objects (dexterity)
• Kneel
• Stand
• Walk for long distances

Deadline to Apply:

Open until filled. 

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

 

Primary Location

: USA-TX-Dallas

Job

: Development

Organization

: DEA - Development/Alumni

Schedule

: Regular

Shift

: Staff

Employee Status

: Individual Contributor

Job Type

: Full-time

Job Level

: Day Job

Travel

: No

Job Posting

: May 19, 2025, 3:19:18 PM

Apply Now

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