Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations

Job Description

1. DONOR DEVELOPMENT & ENGAGEMENT. Manage comprehensive fundraising initiatives for WSU Athletics, including strategic discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors to maximize philanthropic support and secure funding. Collaborate closely with the Athletic Director and University Advancement Office on development efforts, including major gift solicitations and capital campaign initiatives. Partner with Athletics staff, Advancement colleagues and the Warrior Club to cultivate and strengthen relationships with faculty, staff, alumni, and retirees who can actively support and advance athletics fundraising goals.
2. CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP & SUITE SALES. Lead the development, activation and stewardship of corporate relationships and suite sales. Identify, cultivate, and solicit new corporate partners while maintaining strong relationships with existing sponsors to ensure long-term engagement and revenue growth. Coordinate, manage, and update all sponsor signage to ensure accurate fulfillment of sponsorship agreements and maximize visibility and value for corporate partners. Oversee sponsor and season ticket holders’ tickets and parking allocations for regular and post-season play.
3. WARRIOR CLUB LIAISON. Collaborate with Warrior Club leadership to support the fundraising efforts of the Club. Serve as lead athletics department staff for all WC events.
4. MARKETING AND PROMOTION. Collaborate with Athletics staff to plan and execute marketing initiatives across media platforms and manage advertising campaigns. Track and ensure fulfillment of contracted marketing spots across sponsors, radio, TV, print, and game-day programs. Lead marketing and sales for season and general tickets. Develop and implement annual strategies to grow ticket sales, enhance service for current holders, and expand season ticket programs across sports.
5. GAME DAY MANAGEMENT. Coordinate internal and external athletic events, provide on-site management supervision for events, implement event protocols for athletic events and follow operational manuals.  This includes supervision and training of event/staff, student staff and coordinating services for athletic events.
6. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and maintain the reputation of Winona State University, additional duties may include but are not limited to professional development, campus committee membership, and sport oversight.

Salary Range: $47,607 - $93,342; Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Two (2) years of professional experience in marketing, public relations, client-based sales and/or fundraising
• Experience working in collegiate athletics in a professional capacity
• Strong oral, written, electronic and interpersonal communication skills sufficient to communicate authentically with diverse internal and external audiences
• Ability to effectively and efficiently utilize technology to conduct business (i.e.: Microsoft Office suite, computerized record keeping, and web application software)

Preferred Qualification

• Master’s Degree
• Knowledge and understanding of NCAA standards
• Demonstrated success raising funds that support strategic initiatives.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, prioritize competing demands, and consistently meet deadlines and objectives.

Working Conditions

• Hours outside of the traditional work week, including weekends and evenings, especially at the beginning of each academic term and at the start of the competitive season for each team.
• Overnight travel is required for conferences, meetings, team travel, and regional rules seminars.
• The worker is subject to environmental conditions. Activities occur inside and outside.

Physical Effort

• Must be able to load, unload, carry and set up materials at various event sites.
• Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.