Development & Partnerships Officer for Athletics

McKendree University; Lebanon (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

McKendree University seeks a Development & Partnerships Officer for Athletics to secure gifts and partnerships for Bearcat Athletics. This role focuses on major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and donor engagement events, with a hands-on portfolio approach to face-to-face solicitations.

You will partner with coaches and campus stakeholders to align donor interests with athletics priorities, traveling locally and hosting donor meetings at the University.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or related field.
• 1-2 years fundraising, athletic development, corporate sponsorships, or related experience preferred.
• Proven ability to build relationships and secure commitments.
• Track record of meeting fundraising or revenue goals.

Responsibilities

• Major Gift Fundraising (60%): identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts and multi-year pledges.
• Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships (25%): develop sponsorships and manage partner relations.
• Stewardship and Donor Engagement Events (15%): oversee donor meetings and events to strengthen relationships.

Skills

Relationship building

Face-to-face fundraising

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Donor stewardship

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Development & Partnerships Officer for Athletics is McKendree University's front-line fundraiser for Bearcat Athletics. Based in the Office of Development, this person identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards gifts and corporate partnerships that support athletics priorities such as program support, team-specific needs, and capital projects.

The officer manages a portfolio of former student-athletes, Bearcat Booster Club donors, parents, community friends, and businesses, and spends most of their time meeting with them in person. As a key partner with the Director of Athletics, head coaches, and Development colleagues, this person makes a compelling case for athletics and connects donor interests to the University's highest priorities. The Department of Athletics leads its own crowdfunding efforts and program-specific fundraising events.

Responsibilities are expected to break down as Major Gift Fundraising (60%), Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships (25%), and Stewardship and Donor Engagement Events (15%).

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Gift Fundraising (60%)

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of all sizes for McKendree Athletics, from Bearcat Booster Club gifts at the MVP level and above to major gifts, with emphasis on multi-year pledges of $25,000 or more.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 125 to 150 prospects, made up primarily of former student-athletes, Bearcat Booster Club leadership donors, athletics parents, and community friends, as assigned by the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
• Maintain a consistent schedule of face-to-face visits, including discovery visits to qualify new prospects, that meets annual goals set by the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
• Develop individual cultivation and solicitation strategies using moves management, matching donor interests with athletics priorities such as program support, team-specific needs, and capital projects.
• Develop annual major gift and corporate partnership goals and cases for support for athletics priorities.
• Partner with the Director of Athletics, head coaches, and campus partners to engage alumni and families, and equip coaches to participate in cultivation and solicitation where appropriate.
• Upgrade Bearcat Booster Club donors with major gift capacity into leadership and major gift conversations.
• Identify planned giving prospects among athletics constituents and partner with Development colleagues on deferred gift conversations.
• Ensure all assigned prospects are solicited for annual support each year.
• Complete contact reports after every donor interaction and keep prospect records current in Raiser's Edge NXT.

Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships (25%)

• Identify, cultivate, and secure corporate sponsorships and partnerships for McKendree Athletics, with an emphasis on multi-year agreements.
• Develop sponsorship packages and proposals that align partner goals with athletics assets, including signage, naming opportunities, event presence, and hospitality.
• Manage existing corporate partners, including contract fulfillment, renewals, and recognition.
• Develop and maintain a strong awareness of the regional business and philanthropic community and serve as a liaison between McKendree Athletics and local businesses.

Stewardship and Donor Engagement Events (15%)

• Steward major donors and corporate partners through personal outreach, impact reporting, and public and private recognition.
• Oversee select signature athletics events, as agreed upon by the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and the Director of Athletics, with a focus on donor cultivation and solicitation. Success at these events depends on active involvement from head coaches, who are expected to actively solicit sponsorships and to host, engage, and thank donors, with support from athletics administration and Development and Alumni Relations colleagues.
• Support the Department of Athletics by hosting donors and partners at all home football games and select other home athletic events, as coordinated with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• One to two years of experience in fundraising, athletic development, corporate sponsorships, sales, or a related field, preferably in higher education or college athletics. Student employment in a college athletics department focused on revenue generation, such as sponsorships, ticket sales, or fundraising, will be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and ask for financial commitments, whether gifts, sponsorships, or sales.
• Track record of meeting fundraising, sales, or revenue goals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a collegiate student-athlete or coach, or as a staff member in a college athletics department.
• Experience partnering with coaches, athletics leaders, and executive leadership on fundraising strategy.
• Understanding of planned giving concepts.
• Experience using Raiser's Edge NXT or a similar CRM.
• Established relationships in the St. Louis metro and Southern Illinois business communities.
• Familiarity with NCAA Division II rules as they relate to fundraising, boosters, and donor involvement with student-athletes.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to build relationships quickly and connect donor interests with funding opportunities.
• Comfort and enthusiasm for high-volume discovery work, including cold outreach.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present a compelling case for support to donors and business leaders.
• Ability to work collaboratively with coaches, Athletics staff, Development colleagues, and campus partners.
• High level of motivation, initiative, and independent judgment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and track details in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have a valid driver's license, the ability to obtain one, or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.
• Willingness to travel regularly and work evenings and weekends, including during athletic seasons.

Office environment; full-time, typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with hours that regularly extend into evenings and weekends for donor meetings and athletic events. Overnight travel is not expected to exceed 20%.

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