Associate Athletic Director for Development and Strategic Partnerships

Spartanburg, SC

About the role

Under limited supervision, reporting to the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement (VCUA) with dotted-line reporting to the Vice Chancellor and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, the Associate Athletic Director for Development and Strategic Partnerships will coordinate and manage a comprehensive revenue generation program through major gifts fundraising and corporate sponsorships for intercollegiate athletics.

This role involves active engagement internally and externally to cultivate corporate, foundation, individual, and alumni donors. Partners with colleagues to identify, cultivate, and complete proposals and solicitations from prospective prospects, providing proactive follow-up and stewardship on completed gifts.

Creates innovative partnership, sponsorship, and NIL fundraising opportunities aligned with institutional values, athletics department priorities, student-athlete needs, and partner objectives. Collaborates closely with athletics staff, advancement personnel, university leadership, compliance, NIL stakeholders, and external partners to increase philanthropic support, expand student-athlete NIL-related resources, and strengthen long-term relationships.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong connections with corporate partners, donors, alumni, community leaders, campus partners, and NIL-related supporters.
• Represent the athletics department at university, community, alumni, donor, corporate, and NIL-focused events.
• Ensure all sponsorship, partnership, fundraising, and NIL-related commitments are fulfilled professionally, accurately, and in accordance with applicable agreements, institutional expectations, and relevant NIL policies and regulations.
• Meet process performance goals set by the VCUA, including individual and team goals for personal visits, prospect identification, qualification, and gift closures.
• Solicit prospective donors, including individuals, foundations, and corporations, in coordination with the VCUA and Athletic Director. Adhere to Prospect Development policies and procedures.
• Serve as a member of the advancement team by collaborating with colleagues on donor strategies.
• Develop an annual plan of work, including fundraising and stewardship strategies, prospect research, and development.
• Prepare reports and other required information as requested.
• Accept and implement other specific assignments as directed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a job-related field and 2 or more years of job-related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job-related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Successful background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT donor database.
• Graduate degree.
• Experience working in NCAA Division I, II, or III athletics, professional sports, collegiate athletics development, or a comparable revenue-focused environment.

Skills

• Knowledge of principles and methods of planning and conducting comprehensive corporate and foundation philanthropy fundraising programs.
• Track record of visiting and qualifying donors/prospects.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, alumni, donors, students, volunteers, businesses, and the general public.
• Outstanding oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to travel, work evenings and weekends as required.
• Effective computer experience, including database operation and word processing.

Pay

$76,904 – $84,000; salary commensurate with education and experience.

Benefits

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition Program
• Dependent Scholarships
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities