Director of Annual Giving (HR Title: Mngr, Athletics Development)

Southern Methodist University; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Methodist University is seeking a Director of Annual Giving for Athletics to lead and execute the annual giving strategy, donor communications, and premium seating programs. You will personally manage a portfolio of donors and collaborate with the Leadership Annual Giving team to grow Boulevard Society memberships and philanthropic support.

The role requires at least five years in annual giving or related fundraising, strong data-driven decision making, and the ability to work

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum five years of progressive experience in annual giving or related field.
• Experience developing fundraising strategies and multi-channel campaigns.
• Experience with data-driven donor engagement and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute SMU Athletics annual giving programs and campaigns.
• Manage donor communications and premium seating operations with the Ticket Office.
• Develop strategies to acquire, retain, upgrade, and engage donors.
• Identify and advance donors toward higher giving levels with LAG team.
• Collaborate with University partners to expand Boulevard Society membership.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Annual giving

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Blackbaud

Paciolan

Job description

Job Description - Director of Annual Giving (HR Title: Mngr, Athletics Development) (DEA00000507)

Job Description

Director of Annual Giving (HR Title: Mngr, Athletics Development) - ( DEA00000507 )

Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Director of Annual Giving leads and executes SMU Athletics annual giving programs and serves as the lead annual giving officer for the Mustang Club.

The position develops and implements annual giving strategies, solicitation campaigns, donor communications, and premium seating operations, with direct responsibility for carrying out the day-to-day work necessary to achieve fundraising, participation, retention, and revenue goals.

The Director personally manages a portfolio of annual giving donors and prospects and executes strategies to acquire, retain, upgrade, and engage donors. In coordination with the Leadership Annual Giving (LAG) team, the Director actively identifies and advances donors with the capacity and interest to become future Boulevard Society members and increase their philanthropic support.

Essential Functions:

Annual Giving Strategy and Fundraising:

Develop, lead, and execute the comprehensive annual giving strategy and solicitation calendar for Athletics priority funds. Plan, implement, and evaluate fundraising campaigns designed to achieve revenue, donor acquisition, retention, participation, and stewardship goals, including SMU Giving Day. Serve as the lead annual giving officer and personally manage a portfolio of annual giving donors and prospects through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Execute sport-specific fundraising initiatives, communications, reporting, and alumni engagement efforts. Work directly with the Ticket Office to manage annual giving operations, including priority points, season ticket waitlists, seat upgrades, Mustang Club benefit fulfillment, and donor requirements.

Mustang Club Marketing and Communications:

Develop and execute Mustang Club fundraising communications and marketing campaigns, including email, direct mail, digital solicitations, renewal campaigns, and targeted donor outreach. Create and coordinate messaging, audience segmentation, solicitation lists, campaign schedules, and donor communications to increase acquisition, renewals, upgrades, and annual giving revenue. Monitor campaign performance and donor response and make adjustments to improve results. Work directly with Athletics and University partners to move campaigns from planning through execution.

Donor Pipeline Development:

Actively identify, cultivate, solicit, and advance annual giving donors with increased philanthropic capacity and potential. Use donor and giving data to identify prospects, develop individualized engagement strategies, and create opportunities for increased support. In coordination with the Leadership Annual Giving (LAG) team, build and actively manage a pipeline of future Boulevard Society members and facilitate donor movement toward higher levels of philanthropic support. Maintain consistent donor contact and follow-up to advance relationships and giving opportunities.

Premium Seating Operations:

Manage Athletics Development premium seating operations, including donor upgrades, interest and wait-list management, seat-related philanthropic requirements, and donor communications. Manage suite renewals, invoices, contracts, and related donor follow-up. Partner with Ticket Operations and other Athletics units to resolve donor needs, maximize premium seating opportunities, enhance the donor experience, and support philanthropic and revenue goals.

Athletics and Donor Engagement:

Represent Athletics Development at athletic events, donor programs, and University activities and actively engage donors, alumni, fans, and other constituents. Build and maintain relationships through direct donor interaction, follow-up, cultivation, and stewardship. Collaborate with Athletics and Development and External Affairs partners to execute annual giving priorities and identify opportunities for increased philanthropic engagement.

The position requires regular evening and weekend work to support athletic events, donor engagement, and fundraising activities.

The position requires occasional travel for donor engagement, fundraising activities, and athletic events.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor’s degree is required. A Master’s degree is preferred.

A minimum of five (5) years of p rogressively responsible experience in annual giving, fundraising, development, marketing, or a related field is required.

Demonstrated experience developing fundraising strategies, executing multi-channel solicitation campaigns, managing donor relationships, and using data to drive donor acquisition, retention, and revenue growth is also required.

Experience in higher education or Division I collegiate athletics development is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Candidates must possess strong organizational, strategic planning, and project management skills. Demonstrated expertise in annual giving, fundraising, and marketing is required.

Candidate must demonstrate the ability to develop solicitation strategies, analyze donor data, manage multiple priorities, and build collaborative relationships with donors and University partners.

Knowledge of Microsoft Office and experience with fundraising/CRM databases and digital communication platforms are required. Experience with Blackbaud, Paciolan/PAC Fund, or comparable advancement CRM and ticketing systems is preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Physical:

Reach above shoulder level

Carry/Lift up to 25 lbs.

Sit for extended periods

Squat

Climb

Handle objects (dexterity)

Carry/Lift over 25 lbs. to 50 lbs.

Kneel

Stand

Walk for long distances

Push/Pull

Drives motorized equipment

Deadline to Apply:

The position is open until filled.

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by September 18, 2026.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of healthand related benefit s. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMUand, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.