Assistant Athletics Director, Development

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 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 fund-raising 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 SMU Department of Athletics and Development and External Affairs seeks a dynamic, ambitious and results-oriented fundraiser for the position of Assistant Athletics Director of Development.

Primary responsibilities include managing the annual fund, the prospecting and sale of premium seating, managing two full-time development officers, overseeing the Mustang Club Board and carrying a portfolio of high annual fund prospects and donors.

The position reports directly to the Associate AD for Development and serves as a key staff member of the SMU Mustang Club.

With a $1.5 billion comprehensive, university-wide fundraising campaign and a $100M end zone expansion project currently underway, this position will enter SMU at an exciting time in its history.

Essential Functions:

• Fundraising: Responsible for day-to-day management of the department's annual fund including identifying target audiences, crafting marketing plans, executing membership and/or fund drives, gathering data to identify areas of growth and working with the Director of Operations on communications plans using a variety of mediums and channels. Works closely with the Associate Athletics Director of Development to set, and achieve, yearly goals and metrics. Is the Athletics liaison for the University-wide "day of giving." Position will carry a portfolio of leadership/major gift prospects with the potential for increased opportunities with proven success. Responsible for premium seating renewals and identifying new premium ticket purchasers

• Management: Position will oversee two full-time fundraisers (Assistant Directors of Development) whose primary responsibility is raising restricted support for SMU's 17 varsity sports. Asst. Dir's. also carry a portfolio of leadership/major gift prospects. Position will help set and evaluate individual goals. Position collaborates with head coaches and Assistant Directors to identify funding priorities and goals. Manages a budget for these three positions. Manages the Mustang Club Board of Directors, a 30-person volunteer board that serves as advisors and peer-to-peer fundraisers for SMU Athletics. Conducts monthly meetings providing departmental updates and action items for the board.

• Athletic Events & Other Responsibilities: Position will participate in Athletic events as appropriate. This includes, but is not limited to, home and away football games, home and away men's basketball games and other donor engagement events. Position will manage the Athletics portion of SMU Giving Day, a 24-hour giving challenge by determining featured funds, devising a communication strategy and soliciting gifts. Some travel required. Some nights and weekends required for events.

• Position requires regular evening and/or weekend work for athletic events and travel during the week and and on weekends. Occasional travel for prospect and donor visits.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree is required. Master's preferred.

A minimum of five years of work professional work experience is required. Proven fundraising success and experience managing professional staff are also required. Experience in collegiate athletics administration preferred.

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 positive working relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must be a consensus builder with success working in complex organizations; a proven administrator who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and produces high-quality work. Strong project management skills are essential.

Candidate must possess strong leadership skills with the ability to provide focus and motivation to professional staff in a goal-driven, fast-paced and changing environment. A strong commitment to the support of advancement is essential.

Candidate must be a self-starter with the ability to work independently, as well as work collaboratively with and on multiple teams. The ability to be flexible and adapt quickly to changing priorities is essential. Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions are essential.

Candidate must have strong organizational, planning, and time management skills with the ability to multi-task and consistently meet deadlines. Must also have a strong working knowledge of MS Office Suite. Experience with and/or knowledge of CRM database (Blackbaud Enterprise, etc) and/or Paciolan Ticketing database desired.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

• Bend, squat, stand, crawl, climb, kneel

• Reach above shoulders

• Handle objects (dexterity)

• Push/pull

• Carry/lift over 50lbs.

• Exposure to excessive noise

• Around moving machinery

• Exposure to marked changes in temperature or humidity

• Drives motorized equipment

Deadline to Apply:

The position is open until filled.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

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.