Athletics Engagement & Partnerships Coordinator

Aquinas College; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI, seeks an Athletics Advancement Coordinator to build relationships with alumni, families, fans, and community partners, coordinating events and sponsorship activities.

This role partners with the Director of Athletics Advancement and other departments to expand engagement, manage logistics, and support fundraising goals through meaningful experiences at Aquinas Athletics.

Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• 1–3 years of professional experience or internships in athletics, event management, alumni and community engagement, sponsorship sales, marketing, communications, fundraising, hospitality, or related fields.
• Ability to build positive relationships and provide excellent customer service.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities and follow-through.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with coaches, alumni, families, volunteers, and business partners.
• Familiarity with CRM systems, event management software, or similar systems.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required.

Responsibilities

• Support engagement strategies connecting alumni, families, fans, and community partners with Aquinas Athletics.
• Develop and maintain team-specific networks coordinating engagement activities with coaches.
• Coordinate logistics for athletics-related events and volunteer opportunities.
• Serve as a welcoming representative at events.
• Support integration of Athletics into broader institutional engagement efforts.
• Assist the Director of Athletics Advancement in identifying and cultivating prospective sponsors and community partners.
• Prepare sponsorship materials, proposals, presentations, and partnership agreements.
• Coordinate sponsorship fulfillment activities, including signage, recognition, hospitality benefits, digital promotions, and game-day activations.
• Maintain regular communication with corporate partners to ensure a positive experience and strong retention.
• Track sponsorship inventory and fulfillment obligations.
• Maintain accurate records and reports of engagement activities, sponsorship contacts, event participation, and partnership outcomes.
• Help identify prospective donors, sponsors, and community partners for referral to Athletics and Institutional Advancement leadership.
• Utilize CRM systems and other tools to support relationship management efforts.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organization and project management

Team collaboration

Customer service

Education

Associates or Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

CRM systems

Event management software

Job description

Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI, seeks an Athletics Advancement Coordinator to build relationships with alumni, families, fans, and community partners, coordinating events and sponsorship activities.

This role partners with the Director of Athletics Advancement and other departments to expand engagement, manage logistics, and support fundraising goals through meaningful experiences at Aquinas Athletics.