Summary
Description
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Desired Start Date Position End Date (if temporary) To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 10/02/2025 Description of Work Unit
The Colorado State University Department of Athletics sponsors 16 men’s and women’s intercollegiate sports and competes as a member of NCAA Division I (FBS). The University is a current member of the Mountain West Conference and future member of the Pac-12 Conference. The University is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, 65 miles north of Denver. More information on the University and its intercollegiate athletics program can be found at www.csurams.com and www.colostate.edu.
Position Summary
Assistant Director for Donor Engagement & Stewardship leads the strategy, execution, and impact reporting for stewardship across all levels of Ram Club membership and giving. This role plays a central function in cultivating long-term donor relationships through storytelling, recognition, and personalized engagement, specifically for McGraw Society members and top leadership-level donors.
Required Job Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum of two years of experience in donor relations, advancement services, or constituent engagement
- Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building , and communication skills
- Development or related experience, preferably at an NCAA Division I member institution
- Proficiency with technology and social media to enhance efficiency
- Proven ability to relate well to coaches, student-athletes, donors and other constituency groups
- Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date
Preferred Job Qualifications
- Master’s degree or equivalent
- Familiarity with gift tracking systems and stewardship metrics
- Donor event planning experience
- Experience working with donor database specifically in higher education
- Ability to manage confidential donor data and collaborate with executive leadership
Essential Duties
Job Duty Category Stewardship Duty/Responsibility
- Lead athletics donor recognition program including the tracking of memberships, analyzing gift trends per donor and donor groups, and facilitating donor milestone communication and planning.
- Facilitate large-scale donor communications and partner with Athletics’ Marketing, Ticket Office, Graphic Design, RamVision, Communications, and Digital Media to create communications plans which promote CSU Athletics and the department’s goals and priorities.
- Create, produce, and distribute monthly stewardship calendar and proactively communicate updates to Ram Club staff and CSU Advancement leadership.
- Partner with University Advancement to ensure alignment between Athletics and university wide recognition efforts.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive annual stewardship calendar for staff to utilize regarding fundraising campaigns, athletic seasons for 16 men’s and women’s sports, and Athletics and University milestones.
- Assist Assistant Athletic Director for Annual Giving and Stewardship with ensuring consistency in stewardship across major gifts, annual fund, and premium donors.
Percentage Of Time 45
Job Duty Category Donor Engagement and Event Management Duty/Responsibility
- Assist with leadership of premium donor experiences during athletics events, non-athletic events, and other high-profile events associated with the university.
- Create and manage relationships and collaborate with university and community partners and vendors to plan and execute engagements that represent the University’s brand, mission, vision, and department’s priorities.
- Develop mechanisms for consistent donor feedback and partner with Development staff to communicate avenues for collecting feedback.
- Plan, coordinate, and execute donor receptions, facility tours, and VIP events for McGraw Society and other high-profile donors and invited university guests.
- Deliver efficient and effective communication to donor inquiries related to gift acknowledgment, recognition, and impact.
- Collaborate with University President’s Office, Alumni, Stadium Events, and other internal and external stakeholders regarding on and off campus donor events and other engagement opportunities.
- Work as part of a fast-paced team, with flexibility to work mornings, nights, and weekends as required.
Percentage Of Time 25
Job Duty Category Member of Development Staff Duty/Responsibility
- Participate as a member of the Athletics Development unit by attending staff meetings and collaborating on initiatives that serve the best interests of CSU Athletics.
- Assist with oversight of volunteers and student hourly employees as needed.
- Ensure compliance with all departmental, University, conference, and NCAA procedures, rules, and regulations.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Percentage Of Time 5
Job Duty Category Donor Data Analysis Duty/Responsibility
- Gather, track, and analyze donor engagement and event metrics, statistics, demographics, and feedback to create reports and inform strategic decision making.
- Proactively identify opportunities for process improvements, staff or donor education, and innovative solutions for stewardship and engagement.
- Prepare and present quarterly presentations summarizing stewardship outcomes, donor engagement trends, and pending priorities for department and Advancement leadership.
- Conduct audits of donor data in CRM to ensure accuracy and completion for stewardship tracking.
- Provide ongoing analysis and communicate data regarding donor engagement and stewardship effectiveness using CRM reporting and donor feedback.
- Monitor donor engagement metrics (e.g., e-mail open rate, event attendance, communication response rate, other donor touchpoints) and analyze trends. Communicate analysis to Assistant Athletic Director for Annual Giving and Stewardship on a quarterly basis.
- Strong understanding of the importance of confidentiality and data security in handling donor demographics and giving information.
To apply, please upload a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred job qualifications, a resume, and the contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License Search Contact ath_athleticjobs@mail.colostate.edu EEO
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
References Requested
Minimum Requested 3 Maximum Requested 3
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Do you meet the minimum qualification of Bachelor's Degree?
- Yes
- No
- * Do you have a minimum of two years of experience in donor relations, advancement services, or constituent engagement?
- Yes
- No
- * Are you legally eligible to work in the United States?
- Yes
- No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Resume
