Athletics Development Officer

Indiana Wesleyan University; Marion (IN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN seeks an Athletics Development Officer to advance philanthropic support for IWU Athletics and University Advancement. You will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward annual and individual gift donors through alumni, parents, and friends, while staff engaging events and serving as a sport liaison with coaches.

You will travel up to 50% of the time, work nights and weekends as needed, and collaborate with administrators, coaches, and volunteers to grow

Qualifications

• A strong Christian commitment and adherence to IWU Lifestyle Statement.
• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Business, Public Relations, or Marketing preferred.
• Minimum 1–3 years direct or transferable fundraising experience; athletics fundraising preferred.
• Excellent writing, interpersonal and public speaking skills required.
• Based at IWU Marion campus with travel up to 50% and ability to work nights/weekends.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships by managing a portfolio of 125–150 prospects and conducting 120–150 high‑value visits annually.
• Develop and implement personalized stewardship plans and track donor activity in Slate CRM.
• Engage in athletic annual gift solicitations to retain, re‑engage, and grow donors and unrestricted giving.
• Collaborate with administrators, coaches, and staff to identify opportunities and partnerships.
• Represent IWU at athletics events and ensure donor hospitality and engagement.

Skills

Exceptional writing

Interpersonal communication

Public speaking

Team collaboration

Donor engagement

Event coordination

Time management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Sports Management, Business, Public Relations, or Marketing

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Tools

Slate CRM

Job description

Summary of Position

The Athletics Development Officer serves as a front‑line fundraiser in support of the priorities of Indiana Wesleyan University Athletics and Advancement departments. The position is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of annual and individual gift donors through relationships with alumni, parents, and friends. The Athletics Development Officer will also assist with staffing donor hospitality and other alumni engagement functions around athletics events, as well as serve as the individual sport liaison with coaches and volunteers to develop strategies to advance their philanthropic support.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Build Relationships
  • Identify and manage a portfolio of 125‑150 prospects composed of individuals with specific affiliation and/or giving interest to Athletics
  • Conduct 120‑150 high‑value personal visits annually to develop a philanthropic gifts pipeline and close philanthropic revenue to support the priorities of the university and department of athletics
  • Establish collaborative and productive relationships with Athletics administration and coaches, becoming knowledgeable regarding the Department’s priorities, programs, and events to advance Athletics goals
  • Impact a culture of giving for IWU Athletics, encouraging prospects and donors to support the university’s mission and vision while fostering pride and ownership in their gifts
• Strategic Fundraising
  • Develop and implement personalized stewardship plans for donors
  • Provide accurate information of all prospects and donor activity in the Advancement CRM (Slate) including contact reports, gift commitments, strategy statements, and other documentation
  • Engage in athletic annual gift solicitations that:
    1. retain current and re‑engage lost athletics donors
    2. increase giving levels of current athletics donors
    3. acquire new athletic donors
    4. increase unrestricted giving to the general Athletics Fund
• Collaborative Teamwork and Creative Engagement
  • Routinely meet with appropriate IWU administrators, coaches and staff to build relationships, gain insights, and establish partnerships to support giving opportunities and strategies
  • Identify prospects with potential for major and planned gifts and transition them to the major and planned giving team for further relationship development
  • Execute special projects and other duties as assigned to support the overall work of the team in Athletics Development and University Advancement
  • Serve as development representative at athletics‑based events, meetings, and programs related to donor engagement
• High‑Impact Hospitality and Character
  • Serve as an IWU ambassador with a high level of integrity, authenticity, and confidentiality
  • Maintain a positive image when dealing with constituents and the university community; demonstrate a lifestyle consistent with the values and ethos of IWU
  • Exhibit IWU values of Christlikeness, commitment, leadership, service, stewardship, innovation and diversity
  • Foster a collaborative and inclusive spirit among subordinates, peers, and superiors within University Advancement and across the IWU community
  • Travel locally and out of town to cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships

Qualifications

According to Indiana Wesleyan University employment policy all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Business, Public Relations, or Marketing is preferred

Experience

• Minimum of one to three (1‑3) years of direct or transferable experience with exposure to fundraising, direct sales, client services, or related fields. Experience in intercollegiate athletics is preferred

Required Skills

• Demonstrate exceptional writing, interpersonal, and public speaking skills
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to engage with donors and stakeholders in a friendly and professional manner
• Must be based out of the IWU campus in Marion, IN, with the ability to travel up to 50% of the time and work nights and weekends as needed to fulfill portfolio and management responsibilities and participate in fundraising and engagement related events
• Work independently and be self‑motivated in initiating contact with donors and prospects
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for events and athletic functions

IWU Kingdom Diversity Statement

IWU, in covenant with God's reconciling work and in accordance with the Biblical principles of our historic Wesleyan tradition, commits to build a community that reflects Kingdom diversity. We will foster an intentional environment for living, teaching and learning, which exhibits honor, respect, and dignity. Acknowledging visible or invisible differences, our community authentically values each member's earthly and eternal worth. We refute ignorance and isolation and embrace deliberate and courageous engagement that exhibits Christ's commandment to love all humankind.

Limitations and Disclaimer

As a religious educational institution operating under the auspices of The Wesleyan Church, Indiana Wesleyan University is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees on the basis of religion (42 U.S.C., Sections 2000e-1 and 2000e-2).

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow other job‑related instructions and to perform other job‑related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.