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Job Description
Assistant Athletic Director, Cowboy
VIP 4.1 4.1
out of 5 stars 400 S Monroe St, Stillwater, OK 74074 Oklahoma State University Foundation 11 reviews
VISION:
Transform the university through the power of generosity.
MISSION:
Unite donor passions with university priorities to elevate the impact of Oklahoma State University.
DEPARTMENT PURPOSE
The Athletics team contributes to the mission by engaging donors and generating private philanthropic support for Oklahoma State University Athletics.
PRIMARY PURPOSE
The Assistant Athletic Director, Cowboy VIP provides strategic leadership and oversight of the Cowboy VIP annual giving and donor engagement program by developing and executing comprehensive stewardship, cultivation, and fundraising strategies that grow annual giving participation, strengthen donor and alumni relationships, and increase revenue for OSU Athletics. This role is responsible for managing a major donor portfolio, leading annual giving initiatives and premium seating programs, supervising staff, and driving coordinated efforts across athletics and foundation partners to achieve ambitious fundraising and engagement goals.
KEY AREAS OF FOCUS
Cowboy VIP Program Leadership & Strategy (40%) Oversee and manage the Cowboy VIP donor stewardship and engagement program, including development and execution of short- and long-term strategies for donor engagement, alumni engagement, cultivation, stewardship, communication, and fundraising events. Coordinate the design and implementation of programs aimed at increasing membership in the annual giving fund, including Cowboy VIP membership levels and engagement initiatives. Collaborate with senior leadership to establish and maintain POSSE membership guidelines and annual goals aligned with departmental priorities. Annual Giving, Revenue Generation & Donor Pipeline Development (20%) Manage and grow a portfolio of major gift prospects with a focus on solicitations of $50,000+ and mature donor relationships, emphasizing portfolio development and program growth in the first two years. Conduct a minimum of 100 strategic in-person donor and prospect engagement activities annually and participate in at least 12 solicitation visits per year. Achieve sustained annual fundraising performance of approximately $2 million within 18 months of start date through strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts. Utilize the Cowboy VIP program to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects, alumni, and donors, including both season ticket holders and non-season ticket holders locally and nationally. Donor Engagement, Stewardship & Experience (10%) Design and implement engagement strategies that strengthen donor participation in Cowboy VIP and enhance long-term donor retention and affinity for OSU Athletics. Partner with OSU Foundation fundraising professionals to build and maintain meaningful donor relationships that support philanthropic growth for OSU Athletics. Oversee donor engagement touchpoints tied to annual giving, premium seating, ticket priority, and related donor experience initiatives. Leadership & Staff Management (20%) Provide direct oversight of POSSE staff, including two Development Associates and 2-3 student employees. Manage student employee schedules, time approvals, and engagement across office operations, game-day activities, and special events. Provide leadership, direction, and performance oversight to ensure alignment with program goals and operational effectiveness. Ticketing, Premium Seating & Cross-Department Collaboration (10%) Manage and coordinate the annual giving, ticket priority, and premium seating program for OSU Athletics to maximize revenue generation and donor engagement. Serve as the primary liaison with the ticket office, ticket sales, and marketing teams regarding donor seating, pricing strategy, and ticket allocation discussions. Collaborate across athletics and external relations teams to ensure integrated communication and execution of donor-facing seating and membership initiatives. Other duties as assigned.
JOB COMPETENCIES AND EXPERIENCE
Education & Certifications- Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing and communications, nonprofit management, humanities, or related fields required. Experience- Minimum of 5-7 years in fundraising, development, major gifts, or relevant professional experience required. Experience in a higher education setting preferred. Fundraising and donor management software experience desired. Proven sense of humor and ability to have fun!
Listens well and diffuses conflict before it starts; highly persuasive in communications; presents ideas in a manner which actively engages people; takes action to reduce communication barriers and ensure arrangements are in place for effective communication across and within the organization; successfully carries out crucial conversations and encourages and coaches others to have crucial conversations to resolve conflict.
Execution & Initiative:
Holds staff accountable for achieving standards of excellence and results for the organization; seeks out understanding of both donor needs and internal processes; continuously pursues improvement of the organization's performance by enhancing business processes, systems, teams, facilities or equipment; takes charge in a crisis and effectively maneuvers through complex situations and makes tough decisions in a timely manner.
Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills:
Demonstrates commitment to employee engagement and leverages programs and tools to build business plans and monitor progress; utilizes employee recognition and reward programs to celebrate individual and team success; looks for opportunities to create cross-functional teams that leverage employee strengths; proactively takes steps to retain employees by building trust and developing their skills; builds relationships internally and externally and uses relationships to build consensus and create results; coaches others and is able to message appropriately, maintaining confidentiality; excels in maneuvering in a complex and political environment.
Problem Solving/Judgment:
Builds teams understanding of how to apply approved policies and procedures to ensure compliance; looks more broadly across multiple lines of business to identify opportunities and proactively solve problems and implement solutions; challenges assumptions, bases decisions on the right mixture of data analysis as well as wisdom and experience.
Adaptability/Flexibility:
Partners with other colleagues to explore implications of shifting dynamics; communicates in an effort to engage team members and partners in change efforts, explaining the rationale, impacts and benefits of change both vertically and horizontally; involves others in planning and implementing change, keeping them informed of progress; leads with confidence during times of change; drives the implementation and acceptance of change in the workplace, including innovative solutions and alternative approaches for changing circumstances.
Courage & Conviction:
Takes responsibility for team outcomes regardless of success and learns from all results; creates an environment where failure is seen as an opportunity for learning; practices ethical decision making and encourages the same in others; has the courage to hold others accountable for their actions and decisions.
Donor Centered:
Ensures team understands the importance of donor centered service in accordance with OSU Foundation standards; explains difficult information while focused on the donor's perspective and level of knowledge.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via video conferencing. Requires frequent repetitive motions when operating computers, telephones, and standard office equipment. Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer, attending meetings, or participating in events. This role includes traveling locally, regionally, and occasionally nationally for donor visits, meetings, and university events, which may include walking on campus and navigating varied environments. Requires a valid driver's license. Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support fundraising events and donor engagement activities. Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to approximately 20 pounds. Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
