Director, Strategic Engagement, Athletics

Kennesaw State University • Kennesaw, GA

396d

About The Position

The Director of Strategic Engagement for Athletics at Kennesaw State University is responsible for overseeing various aspects of the athletics department, including the Varsity Club, the Annual Fund, and community engagement initiatives. This role involves managing staff, developing strategies to engage former student-athletes and fans, and driving revenue initiatives through donor-related programs. The director will work closely with department leadership to enhance KSU's brand affinity and ensure compliance with NCAA regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• Current, valid, and unrestricted driver's license
• Four (4) years of relevant work experience

Nice To Haves

• Proven track record of serving in a role that involves engaging with multiple sets of constituents, such as alumni, donors, fans, and community members
• An advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field
• Previous experience in Paciolan Ticketing Software, Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, and/or other CRM system
• Demonstrated past experience in effectively managing the operations of an assigned area within a complex organization

Responsibilities

• Supervises department operations and personnel, including staff, student assistants, and volunteers, and contributes to the hiring process
• Develops and implements a comprehensive strategic engagement plan aimed at enhancing constituent engagement, particularly with former student-athletes, alumni, and Owls Fund members
• Coordinates strategic engagement reporting, audits, and data analytics to inform decision-making processes
• Directs strategic engagement efforts within the department, collaborating with athletics staff, coaches, and external partners to execute engagement plans for former KSU and SPSU student-athletes
• Manages the daily operations of the athletics department's Varsity Club, coordinating with various stakeholders to execute engagement strategies
• Oversees the Owls Fund retention program and renewal process, conducting proactive outreach efforts in coordination with the Revenue Enhancement Team and Ticket Operations staff
• Assists with the management of the department's NIL efforts and supports fulfillment of all benefits and collaborates with external constituents to garner external support
• Collaborates with the compliance department to ensure adherence to NCAA requirements and other regulatory standards related to strategic engagement
• Plans, organizes, and oversees the Annual Fund and other restricted giving initiatives
• Manages the distribution of Owls Fund Benefits as outlined in the Benefits Chart
• Cultivates and stewards donors to The Owls Fund, with a focus on season ticket holders, annual gift prospects, and other supporters of KSU Athletics
• Plans, implements, and evaluates annual athletics giving activities
• Supports annual fund and major gift officers in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding top-level annual fund donors
• Manages all aspects of the annual giving program, including renewals, direct mail, telemarketing, and online giving functions
• Oversees internal processes of the priority seating program, including billing and invoicing related to Owls Fund points
• Directs gift processing for all donations to the KSUAA and ensures accurate tracking of athletic donations routed through the KSU Foundation
• Provides operational support for post-season games, both home and away

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• 401k retirement plan
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities
• Flexible scheduling

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 10,001+ employees