Director, Athletics Annual Giving and Donor Engagement/ Assistant Athletic Director

Posted on 02/15/2024

Oregon State University Foundation

Corvallis, OR

Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Development/Associate Athletic Director, this position manages the strategy, communications, and marketing for all annual giving fundraising initiatives within OSU Athletics to achieve year to year fundraising goals with particular attention to non-ticket-based initiatives.  These fundraising initiatives include Our Beaver Nation scholarship fund, OSU Athletics Fund for Excellence, Fearless-Supporting Women of OSU Athletics, sports specific, gift-in-kind, and programmatic support.  

Major Duties       
       
Develop and execute a comprehensive annual giving plan for OSU Athletics with clear strategies around non-ticket based initiatives.  Strategies to include but not limited to an integrated multi-channel marketing plan for Our Beaver Nation solicitations to increase the number of $1,000+ donors through digital, social media, phone, and print strategies. Collaborate with other members of the OSU Foundation Annual Giving team to ensure coordination and integration of solicitation strategy and Annual Giving donor stewardship with overall Annual Giving marketing plan as well as opportunities to tie solicitations with existing department marketing pieces.       
       
Implement a data-driven Annual Giving solicitation system to grow current baseline productivity to exceed year-to-year goal. Determine appropriate marketing segmentation, track progress, report and evaluate results, and redirect tactics to improve outcomes. Monitor and make appropriate changes to increase performance metrics such as average gift size, donor retention, acquisition, and upgrades, and return on investment. Assist with the development and interpretation of Annual Giving reports.         
Lead Dam Proud Day (giving day) efforts for Athletic Department pipeline development. Work closely with OSU Foundation Annual Giving team to ensure Athletics is leveraging university wide marketing efforts to grow support for department and sport-specific priorities.          
       
Utilize predictive modeling, social media mining, and other digital analytics and “listening” tools to target Annual Giving audiences with the right messages, via the right vehicles, at the right time, to increase the effectiveness of solicitations.         
       
Collaborate with the Advancement Communications and Digital Strategy, as well as Athletics Communication and Beaver Creative teams to create compelling and personalized solicitations that move prospective and current donors through a donor journey that results in increased giving.  Tailor messaging, design elements, and videography/animation to audience segments to increase effectiveness. Work with Advancement Communications to finalize and proof all materials.         
       
Partner with the athletics programs and other constituencies to plan and execute giving solicitations in support of sport specific and programmatic annual giving goals through targeted constituencies such as student-athlete alums, season ticket holders, parents, recent graduates, Alumni Association members, and annual leadership donors.        
       
Develop a comprehensive solicitation calendar, ensuring coordination of all solicitations and stewardship communications sent on behalf of Oregon State Athletics.        
       
Negotiate contracts with external vendors, including direct mail and printing houses, as well as digital technology partners. Manage vendors to produce highly segmented, customized appeals with complex variables.        
       
Actively participate with the Our Beaver Nation Advisory Board in a leadership capacity to promote increased support through volunteerism.        
       
Build a portfolio of best practices and emerging marketing trends to assist with better solicitation practices based on national data, donor wishes, and/or donor trends to achieve fundraising goals.        
       
Supervision, Management and Administration       
       
Lead, manage, develop, supervise, and mentor Program Coordinator(s)-Athletics Annual Giving, student workers, and interns. Work collaboratively with team to develop and maintain a cohesive, integrated group.        
       
In partnership with the Vice President, Athletics Development and Senior Director of Development, make appropriate hiring decisions, establish work plans and accountabilities, provide training and professional development and ensure required training is received by all staff.  Conduct performance evaluations, effectively manage behavioral and conduct issues for assigned staff.        
       
Actively participate in Foundation and Athletic Department meetings and events and ensure that assigned staff also participate.       
       
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities         
       
Comprehensive knowledge of:        
  • Principles of integrated marketing and segmentation
  • Effective mass solicitation techniques
  • Digital communications and analytics tools 
Demonstrated ability to: 
  • Develop and implement effective integrated multi-channel direct mail, social media and email marketing campaigns
  • Create successful mass solicitation segmentation strategies and customer journeys
  • Conceptualize effective communications pieces with a strong and compelling call to action and on-brand storytelling and messaging
  • Employ strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Utilize quantitative and qualitative information to improve decision-making and outcomes and document results
  • Manage complex projects
  • Apply creative and entrepreneurial thinking, while applying sound judgment and conducting oneself with integrity
  • Approach work assuming the best of intentions from Foundation and campus colleagues
  • Effectively represent the interests and fundraising priorities of various colleges/units, while also maintaining a high degree of enterprise perspective by acting in the best interests of the Foundation and the university at all times
  • Work with a high degree of flexibility in a highly collaborative, fast-paced, goal-oriented environment
  • Be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions appropriately, and to handle interpersonal relationships maturely, thoughtfully and empathetically, including the ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds
  • Maintain good relationships with external vendors, including direct mail and printing houses
Minimum Requirements
        
Bachelor’s degree and five years of experience in integrated marketing communications with a preference for demonstrated experience for the design and execution of successful annual giving strategies.       

To apply for this job please visit fororegonstate.org.