Graduate Assistant - Development and Donor Relations Assistant (Intercollegiate Athletics)

Stephen F. Austin State University; Nacogdoches (TX); Hybrid; USD 11,000 - 16,000; Part time

Job summary

Stephen F. Austin State University Athletics is seeking a motivated Graduate Assistant to support planning and execution of donor events, premium seating, and fan experiences while working with the Athletics development team.

The role provides hands-on project ownership, training, and chances to build meaningful donor relationships within a Division I athletics development setting.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a graduate program at SFA.
• Training and instruction will be provided.
• No direct experience required; experience in athletics or fundraising is preferred but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Assist planning, coordination, and execution of donor events and hospitality.
• Prepare event timelines, guest lists, materials, signage and other details.
• Represent SFA Athletics professionally at donor events.
• Assist with donor communications, invitations, thank-you messages, and outreach.
• Support donor stewardship and engagement initiatives.
• Maintain donor-related records and organize information.
• Provide administrative and project support to the Athletics development team.
• Assist with planning and execution of home athletic events, especially football.
• Oversee premium seating and donor hospitality areas.
• Assist with parking, event setup, signage, guest services, and pre-game/post-game duties.
• Interact with donors, fans, season ticket holders, and VIPs to build relationships.
• Troubleshoot issues to ensure a first-class guest experience.

Skills

Relationship building

Organized

Detail oriented

Customer service

Event planning

Education

Graduate program enrollment at SFA

Job description

Want to build real-world experience in collegiate athletics while helping connect SFA Athletics with its donors, fans, and supporters?

SFA Athletics is looking for an energetic, organized, and relationship-focused Graduate Assistant to join our team and play an important role in the planning and execution of athletic events and donor engagement initiatives.

This position will work closely with Athletics development staff and will have a particular focus on donor relations, donor events, premium seating, fan experience, and game-day operations. The Graduate Assistant will have opportunities to take ownership of projects while gaining valuable experience in the day-to-day operation of a Division I athletics development department.

QUALIFICATIONS

The minimum education required for admittance as a graduate student at Stephen F. Austin State University. The recommendation of a faculty member may be required.

No direct experience is required. Training and instruction will be provided.

Must be enrolled in a graduate program at SFA.

Previous experience experience in athletics, fundraising, development, events, hospitality, or customer service is preferred, but a willingness to learn and work hard is just as important.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Assists with the planning, coordination, and execution of donor events and hospitality experiences.
2. Takes an active role in preparing event timelines, guest lists, materials, signage, and other event details.
3. Serves as a welcoming and professional representative of SFA Athletics at donor events.
4. Assists development staff with donor communications and outreach, including invitations, event communications, thank-you messages, and other correspondence.
5. Supports donor stewardship and engagement initiatives.
6. Assists with maintaining accurate records and organizing donor-related information.
7. Provides administrative and project support to the Athletics development team.
8. Assists with planning and execution of SFA home athletic events, with an emphasis on football.
9. Helps oversee premium seating and donor hospitality areas.
10. Assists with parking, event setup, signage, guest services, and pre-game setup, as well as in-game responsibilities, and post-game breakdown
11. Interacts directly with donors, fans, season ticket holders, VIPs, and other guests to develop meaningful face-to-face relationships.
12. Helps troubleshoot issues and ensures guests receive a memorable first-class experience.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

1. Knowledge of collegiate athletics, development, fundraising, event management, or hospitality.
2. Skill in building relationships and interacting with people.
3. Ability to be detail-oriented and organized while keeping a positive attitude in a fast-paced environment.
4. Ability to be comfortable communicating with donors and other high-level guests.
5. Ability to manage multiple products and deadlines.
6. Ability to work successfully as a member of a team, and maintain a positive attitude.

Schedule will vary based on the athletic calendar and department needs. Game-day responsibilities will generally begin several hours before kickoff and continue through the completion of the game, with additional responsibilities following the event as needed.

The position may also include regular office hours for event planning, donor communications, development projects, and administrative support.

Safety Statement

A student must have clear or provisional admission to the graduate school and the academic unit, be in good academic standing, and be enrolled for at least six semester credit hours (SCH) of graduate courses to be eligible for a graduate assistantship during the fall or spring semesters. To be eligible for a graduate assistantship during the summer, a student must be enrolled for at least three semester credit hours (SCH) of graduate courses.

Graduate assistants may not hold any other type of position such as a student assistant, staff employee or adjunct faculty at the same time that they are employed as a graduate assistant. All graduate assistant appointments combined should not exceed the maximum FTE of 0.50.