Executive Director of the Mercer Athletic Foundation

Mercer University•Macon, GA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Mercer University is searching for an Executive Director of the Mercer Athletic Foundation. The Executive Director of the Mercer Athletic Foundation will coordinate fundraising and related events and activities in an effort to foster a continuing relationship with the varied constituents of Mercer’s Athletic Programs. The primary responsibilities of the job are to encourage alumni and friends to provide support to enhance existing fundraising initiatives and develop new fundraising strategies to increase support for the Athletic Foundation. The incumbent will be responsible for providing administrative support to the Mercer University Athletic Foundation to include communication with members, preparing agendas, and working closely with the Executive Committee on long-range planning and fundraising. While reporting directly to the Senior Vice President for University Advancement, the Executive Director will have direct and regular involvement with the Athletic Foundation Board and its members, as well as the Athletic Director regarding setting fundraising goals and other priorities. While serving as a member of the overall University Advancement staff, the Executive Director is to participate in various athletic staff meetings and other special events as requested by the Athletic Director.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university.
Three years of fundraising, sports marketing, or related experience.
A valid driver's license.
Must be insurable by the university's carrier.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated success in the solicitation, cultivation, closing, and stewardship of gifts, or success in comparable sales, marketing, or business development roles.
Strong knowledge of fundraising principles, programs, techniques, and best practices, or comparable sales and business development methodologies.
Knowledge of customer and business relationship management principles and techniques, with demonstrated skill in building rapport, fostering productive partnerships, and engaging stakeholders to achieve organizational objectives.
Demonstrated leadership and team-building capabilities.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively articulate and promote the goals, mission, and priorities of the athletic program to diverse audiences.
Ability to travel and maintain a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends, to support constituent cultivation, engagement, and special events.

Responsibilities

Coordinate fundraising and related events and activities to foster a continuing relationship with constituents of Mercer’s Athletic Programs.
Encourage alumni and friends to provide support to enhance existing fundraising initiatives.
Develop new fundraising strategies to increase support for the Athletic Foundation.
Provide administrative support to the Mercer University Athletic Foundation, including communication with members and preparing agendas.
Work closely with the Executive Committee on long-range planning and fundraising.
Have direct and regular involvement with the Athletic Foundation Board and its members, as well as the Athletic Director regarding setting fundraising goals and other priorities.
Participate in various athletic staff meetings and other special events as requested by the Athletic Director.