Director, Donor Experience & Events - Athletics

Job Details

Description

At the University of Cincinnati Foundation, we commit ourselves to providing a place where everyone belongs. We care deeply about those in our community, while also taking care to nurture new relationships. We have the courage to dream big, drive excellence and uphold integrity in our work.

Structure

The Director of Donor Experience and Events, Athletics is an exempt (salaried) position employed by the University of Cincinnati Foundation (UCF) and reports to the Assistant Vice President of Stewardship and Donor Experience.

Focus

The Director of Donor Experience and Events, Athletics provides strategic leadership as part of the Stewardship and Donor Experience team to design and deliver comprehensive, elevated, custom donor events and experiences, with a primary emphasis on UC Athletics donors. This role oversees the development, coordination, and execution of meaningful experiences that demonstrate impact, strengthen donor relationships, and support long-term philanthropic commitment.

Specific Duties

• Lead implementation of athletic suite strategies, in partnership with stakeholders from Athletics, the UC Foundation, and the university to enhance donor and community relationships.

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Job Details

Description

At the University of Cincinnati Foundation, we commit ourselves to providing a place where everyone belongs. We care deeply about those in our community, while also taking care to nurture new relationships. We have the courage to dream big, drive excellence and uphold integrity in our work.

Structure

The Director of Donor Experience and Events, Athletics is an exempt (salaried) position employed by the University of Cincinnati Foundation (UCF) and reports to the Assistant Vice President of Stewardship and Donor Experience.

Focus

The Director of Donor Experience and Events, Athletics provides strategic leadership as part of the Stewardship and Donor Experience team to design and deliver comprehensive, elevated, custom donor events and experiences, with a primary emphasis on UC Athletics donors. This role oversees the development, coordination, and execution of meaningful experiences that demonstrate impact, strengthen donor relationships, and support long-term philanthropic commitment.

Specific Duties

• Lead implementation of athletic suite strategies, in partnership with stakeholders from Athletics, the UC Foundation, and the university to enhance donor and community relationships.
• Recruit, lead, motivate and manage a Stewardship and Donor Experience team member; establish objectives, set performance standards and productivity metrics, and evaluate performance; provide appropriate levels of training, mentoring and professional development. Assign and direct projects and oversee day-to-day operations.
• Attend most home Men’s Basketball and Football Games to oversee game day experience for suite guests.
• Lead and manage the planning, production, and execution of assigned donor events and experiences, both in-person and virtual, in accordance with best practices with a focus on large scale events. Includes preparation of event briefings and staffing leadership.
• Implement donor touchpoints for assigned group of principal-level donors.
• Develop and implement a strategic vision and annual plan for donor events, experiences, touchpoints and stewardship that align with UCATS priorities in partnership with stakeholders.
• Uphold standards, processes, and timelines for event planning, implementation, and follow-up to ensure consistency, quality, and a strong donor-centered focus with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop event and touchpoint communications, messaging, scripts, talking points, and content that highlight donor impact and institutional priorities.
• Support events and stewardship for assigned sport-specific donor booster groups.
• Oversee event and experience-related data management in the CRM, including invitation lists, attendance, engagement tracking, and post-event follow-up, ensuring consistent documentation and use of data to inform strategy.
• Develop and monitor event and experience budgets, including cost projections, vendor contracts, and post-event financial reconciliation to ensure responsible and efficient use of resources.
• Support away game donor experiences, as needed.
• Foster a culture of innovation by exploring new formats, technologies, and approaches to donor events and recognition that enhance accessibility, personalization, and impact.
• Represent the Stewardship and Donor Experience team on cross-functional committees and working groups related to events, recognition, and donor engagement.
• Support non-athletic Stewardship and Donor Experience events, as assigned.
• Participation in team focus areas and projects to ensure consistent and meaningful stewardship across colleges/units.
• Support creation of impact reports for principal-level donors, as assigned.
• Fulfill team requirements on reporting and supporting organizational and performance-based goals.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with 5-7 years of relevant experience or advanced degree (preferred) with 3-5 years of experience.

• Progressive experience in donor relations, advancement, event management, or related fields, preferably within higher education or athletics.

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams responsible for complex, high-profile events and donor experiences.

• Able to work non-traditional, flexible hours, as needed for events, including evenings, weekends, and travel when required. Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle required for travel.

• Strong organizational and project management skills: ability to plan, coordinate, and execute multiple events and experiences efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally and confidently with donors, senior leaders, faculty, clinicians, event attendees, and staff.

• Demonstrated success managing cross-functional stakeholder relationships and collaborating across units to deliver cohesive donor experiences.

• Experience with CRM systems, event management platforms, and data-driven decision-making to inform donor engagement strategies.

• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to develop clear, compelling event communications, briefings, and talking points for executive and academic leaders.

• Ability to analyze information, exercise sound judgment, and maintain a high level of discretion, professionalism, and donor focus. Proven ability to handle, update, and maintain sensitive information in a confidential, timely, and professional manner.

• A commitment to and passion for the role of development in advancing the mission of the University of Cincinnati.

What We Offer

The anticipated starting salary range for the Director of Donor Experience and Events role is $70,000 to $80,000 annually. When determining final offer amount the UC Foundation considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, external market data, as well as, market and business considerations when making compensation decisions.

At the UC Foundation, we understand the importance of providing both a desirable work environment as well as benefits that provide our employee’s peace of mind and work/life balance. We offer a total rewards package inclusive of performance based bonus, as well as, competitive health and wellness benefits, tuition remission, retirement with employer match, paid parental leave, and paid vacation, sick time and holidays, including calendar year-end closing. To learn more, visit our careers page.

Physical Demands

This position is considered to have light work. Exerting up to 20lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. This position requires the operation of a motor vehicle. This position also requires:

• Standing
• Walking
• Lifting
• Finger use
• Talking
• Hearing
• Repetitive motion of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, this position is subject to outside environmental conditions and indoor conditions.

Pre-Hire Requirements

The UC Foundation seeks talented, collaborative and mission-focused individuals to join our advancement team in driving philanthropic support for the University of Cincinnati and UC Health. All offers of full-time employment are contingent upon passing a criminal background check and drug test. Positions requiring a degree are also contingent upon education verification. 

Qualifications

Skills

Behaviors

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Motivations

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Education

Required

Bachelors or better.

Experience

Licenses & Certifications

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Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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