Development & Partnerships Officer for Athletics

McKendree University

McKendree University, located in Lebanon, IL and home of the Bearcats, invites qualified applicants to join our team. McKendree University offers a competitive compensation and benefits package and the opportunity to influence the future leaders of tomorrow.

The mission of McKendree University is to provide a high-quality educational experience to outstanding students. We guide our students in the pursuit of academic excellence, which will prepare them for leadership roles in our society. To achieve this end we encourage broader vision, enriched purpose, engagement with community, commitment to responsible citizenship, openness to new ideas and dedication to lifelong learning. In keeping with our history and traditions, we provide our students with a rigorous, broadly based liberal arts curriculum joined with specialization in a specific discipline.

Position Summary and Key Responsibilities

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.

Qualifications

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.

• Work Conditions

• 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%.

• Required Application Materials

• Cover Letter

• Resume/CV

• Equal Opportunity Employer

• McKendree University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other statuses protected by law. This extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruiting, hiring, training, on-the-job treatment, promotion, layoff, and termination.

• McKendree offers a competitive benefits package to our full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, 403(b) deferred compensation retirement plans with matching contributions, and flexible spending accounts. life insurance, and 11 paid holidays.

Full-Time faculty and staff also enjoy:

• FREE tuition upon hire! Spouses and dependents under the age of 26 are also eligible for free undergraduate level courses.

• Complimentary or discounted tickets to our premier performing arts venue, presenting world class dance, drama, classical music and jazz.

• Complimentary tickets for Athletic events.

• Free birthday meal at 1828 Cafe.

• Discounts at the McKendree University Bookstore and so much more.

• To learn more details, review our

Benefits

• Guide.