Assistant Athletic Director, Principal Giving

Position Function

This role will maintain a personal portfolio of leadership and principal gift prospects and assist in generating major gift solicitations for general athletic support and facility projects at Mississippi State University. Responsibilities include developing donor relationships, managing individual donor portfolios, identifying donor prospects, cultivating relationships, and stewarding donors. The position reports to the Executive Director of Strategic Ventures.

16

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gift prospects and corporate sponsors for annual, capital, and endowment programs through the proper clearance process.
• Strategically assess funding from other sources, including corporations and foundations.
• Assist in developing positive relationships with athletic donors, coaches, and other university units and foster collaborative work among all parties.
• Assist in the solicitation of personal contact with current and prospective donors, prepare proposals, and solicit prospects for major gifts to secure an annual goal.
• Assist with needs analysis with direct supervisor and athletic staff on a continual basis to establish development objectives.
• Assist with fundraising projects and plan and direct special events for major gift donors and prospects.
• Assist with developing and maintaining active portfolios of major gift prospects.
• Manage a large portfolio of potential major gift donors.
• Make 200–250 fundraising visits per year.
• Ensure compliance with NCAA rules and regulations regarding outside interest groups, including informing alumni and booster groups about applicable rules that could affect the operation of the intercollegiate athletics program.
• Work occasional evenings and weekends throughout the year, as well as travel frequently.
• Foster a work environment that recognizes and rewards collaboration with colleagues across campus for the best interest of Mississippi State University.
• Champion inclusion and diversity both internally and externally.
• Support strategies related to:
  • Name, Image, Likeness
  • Multimedia rights holders (Learfield IMG College)
  • M‑Club and efforts to engage former Mississippi State student-athletes
• Other duties as assigned.
• Supervisory responsibility:
  May supervise staff, student workers, and volunteers.

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Relations, or a related field with 3 years of experience in a related field.

Master’s degree with 5+ years of direct experience in fundraising or advancement in a higher education setting, preferably in educational fundraising.

• Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form.
• Ability to problem-solve in a timely fashion.
• Sensitivity to the needs of a wide range of internal and external constituencies.
• Ability to take direction.
• Flexibility, independent work, initiative, management of multiple projects, prioritization of a high volume of work in a fast-paced environment, and meeting deadlines under pressure.
• Familiarity with the MS Office suite.
• Ability to manage confidential information with appropriate discretion and tact.

Frequent external deadlines set and revised beyond one’s control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate the nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days. The role involves conflict resolution or similar interactions involving emotional issues or stress on a regular basis. Occasionally requires lifting, bending, or other physical exertion and may involve exposure to one or more elements such as heat, cold, noise, dirt, chemicals, etc.

Job frequently requires walking, standing, lifting, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, and handling objects with hands. May require handling heavy weight objects up to 100 lbs.

Mississippi State University is an equal‑opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs, or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, .