Director, Donor & Events - Athletics

Structure

The Director of Donor Experience and Events, Athletics is an exempt (salaried) position employed by the University of Cincinnati Foundation (UCF) and reports to the Assistant Vice President of Stewardship and Donor Experience.

The Director of Donor Experience and Events, Athletics provides strategic leadership as part of the Stewardship and Donor Experience team to design and deliver comprehensive, elevated, custom donor events and experiences, with a primary emphasis on UC Athletics donors. This role oversees the development, coordination, and execution of meaningful experiences that demonstrate impact, strengthen donor relationships, and support long-term philanthropic commitment.

• Lead implementation of athletic suite strategies, in partnership with stakeholders from Athletics, the UC Foundation, and the university to enhance donor and community relationships.
• Recruit, lead, motivate and manage a Stewardship and Donor Experience team member; establish objectives, set performance standards and productivity metrics, and evaluate performance; provide appropriate levels of training, mentoring and professional development. Assign and direct projects and oversee day-to-day operations.
• Attend most home Men’s Basketball and Football Games to oversee game day experience for suite guests.
• Lead and manage the planning, production, and execution of assigned donor events and experiences, both in-person and virtual, in accordance with best practices with a focus on large scale events. Includes preparation of event briefings and staffing leadership.
• Implement donor touchpoints for assigned group of principal-level donors.
• Develop and implement a strategic vision and annual plan for donor events, experiences, touchpoints and stewardship that align with UCATS priorities in partnership with stakeholders.
• Uphold standards, processes, and timelines for event planning, implementation, and follow-up to ensure consistency, quality, and a strong donor-centered focus with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop event and touchpoint communications, messaging, scripts, talking points, and content that highlight donor impact and institutional priorities.
• Support events and stewardship for assigned sport-specific donor booster groups.
• Oversee event and experience-related data management in the CRM, including invitation lists, attendance, engagement tracking, and post-event follow-up, ensuring consistent documentation and use of data to inform strategy.
• Develop and monitor event and experience budgets, including cost projections, vendor contracts, and post-event financial reconciliation to ensure responsible and efficient use of resources.
• Support away game donor experiences, as needed.
• Foster a culture of innovation by exploring new formats, technologies, and approaches to donor events and recognition that enhance accessibility, personalization, and impact.
• Represent the Stewardship and Donor Experience team on cross-functional committees and working groups related to events, recognition, and donor engagement.
• Support non-athletic Stewardship and Donor Experience events, as assigned.
• Participation in team focus areas and projects to ensure consistent and meaningful stewardship across colleges/units.
• Support creation of impact reports for principal-level donors, as assigned.
• Fulfill team requirements on reporting and supporting organizational and performance-based goals.
• Other duties, as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree with 5-7 years of relevant experience or advanced degree (preferred) with 3-5 years of experience.
• Progressive experience in donor relations, advancement, event management, or related fields, preferably within higher education or athletics.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams responsible for complex, high-profile events and donor experiences.
• Able to work non-traditional, flexible hours, as needed for events, including evenings, weekends, and travel when required. Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle required for travel.
• Strong organizational and project management skills: ability to plan, coordinate, and execute multiple events and experiences…