Associate Athletics Director for Donor Engagement and Operations (Administrator I)
About the role
The Associate Athletics Director for Donor Engagement & Operations is a senior leader within SDSU’s Division I Athletics Department, working in close partnership with University Relations and Development (URAD) to create exceptional donor experiences and drive operational excellence.
Responsibilities
Develop and implement strategies to strengthen donor relationships, satisfaction, and philanthropic impact.
Lead high-profile donor events and premium engagement experiences.
Serve as a primary liaison for high-level donors and partner with development officers to align engagement with major gift strategies.
Oversee donor engagement operations, including staff management, budget management, and resource allocation.
Manage donor benefits, premium seating, hospitality programs, and related policies.
Partner with Gift Administration to ensure accurate gift processing, documentation, and effective use of engagement technology platforms.
Collaborate with other departments to deliver integrated donor experiences.
Support campaign initiatives through strategic engagement and event activation.
Direct donor-facing communications and ensure consistent branding and messaging across all donor engagement channels.
Foster a high-performing, service-oriented team culture.
Qualifications
Demonstrated knowledge of NCAA, conference, and University rules, with a proven commitment to compliance, institutional control, ethical conduct, and timely reporting of violations.
Proven experience engaging donors with credibility, professionalism, and sound judgment.
Demonstrated operational mastery with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
Proven success working collaboratively and adapting to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated commitment to advancing collegiate athletics and student-athlete success.
Experience in event planning, project management, and cross-functional collaboration.
Advanced degree in a related field is preferred.
Demonstrated success in translating organizational vision into actionable plans and measurable results is preferred.
Experience with Ellucian and TicketMaster or similar CRMs is preferred.
Benefits
Generous leave benefits, retirement security, comprehensive health coverage, educational opportunities, and voluntary benefits are offered.
Pay
The expected hiring salary for this position ranges from $100,000 to $110,000 annually.
Schedule
This is a full-time, at-will role, offering comprehensive benefits. Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.