UMKC's Kansas City Athletics

UMKC's Intercollegiate Athletics Department is seeking to hire an Associate or Deputy Athletics Director for External Relations and Engagement. The person in this role must have demonstrated expertise conceptualizing a fundraising program including corporate and individual major gifts. This role is responsible for leading the department's efforts in driving revenue and engaging donors and fans. The position is responsible for the oversight of Fundraising; Fan Experience & Marketing; Ticket Sales & Service; Name, Image and Likeness; and Data Analytics.

A member of the Summit League, the UMKC Kangaroos are referred to as Kansas City's NCAA Division I team with 16 different sports teams. The Roos boast their excellence in coursework achievement, integrity, and sport.

The University of Missouri - Kansas City, is one of four of the University of Missouri universities, is a doctoral research-intensive public university offering traditional and interdisciplinary programs and serving approximately 16,500 students. The University is well positioned to address the demands of the times in a dynamic city that deserves and requires the benefits that accrue from a strong public university.

General Description:

• The successful candidate for Deputy Athletics Director for External Relations will:
• Conceptualize, plan, and implement a development and fundraising program that will result in the generation of private support including corporate and individual major gifts for the program initiatives of UMKC Intercollegiate Athletics
• Develop detailed gift opportunities plan tailored towards the interest of potential major donors, consistent with established needs and priorities of the intercollegiate Athletics Department.
• Oversee the implementation of prospect cultivation and solicitation for programs and priorities of the Intercollegiate Athletics Department.
• Develop a high profile for UMKC Intercollegiate Athletics by enlisting the assistance of alumni, media relations, and marketing professionals.
• Oversee the Roo Athletic Fund (RAF) with a focus on obtaining and securing donations to grow and maintain the scholarship fund.
• Collaborate with Senior Leadership Team, and campus stakeholders to ensure the forward movement of the Department.

Key Responsibilities:

• Engages in the department's educational plan on name, image and likeness activities for student-athletes through content creation and digital media strategies for teams and student-athletes.
• Manage and oversee the relationship with outside vendors, the Roo Athletic Fund, Paciolan, Sidearm, etc.
• Responsible for creative and innovative game-day promotions and experiences to grow fan attendance, connect with the community and create excitement at home athletic events. Supervises and executes in-game elements, and in-game promotions.
• Establish annual revenue goals and forecasts
• Creates and implements the development program for UMKC Intercollegiate Athletics. This includes programs designed to engage individuals, corporations, and foundations in efforts to meet priority needs of Intercollegiate Athletics, and to include teams of campus leaders and volunteers.
• Serves as an expert or lead development professional in a specialized area such as major/principal gifts, gift planning and/or corporate/foundation relations which has an environment that includes, or potentially includes, donors capable of making very significant contributions to the campus and Athletics.
• Plan, direct, monitor, and coordinate the general fundraising and major gift development programs, foundation relations, corporate relations, and individual giving.
• Analyzes needs and creates strategic and long-range plans for fundraising and other advancement programs and may have the authority to make commitments and precedent-setting decisions - regarding program design, development, and procedures.
• Qualify major gift prospects and solicit gifts directly. Prepare written proposals and/or other special materials for use during donor visits.
• Collaborate with the UMKC Foundation and respective staff to coordinate fundraising campaigns or projects in accordance with Athletics priorities as well as campus and University fundraising priorities.
• Develops, creates, writes, implements, and/or evaluates individualized marketing plans and/or strategies for cultivation and solicitation of major gifts, gift planning or corporate/foundation prospects (strategies typically require a high degree of innovation).
• Advises the Athletics Director on defining and prioritizing advancement needs and in developing objectives for private support.
• Develops appropriate strategies for involving the Athletics Director in building relationships with major gift donor prospects, and supports them and other campus leaders in highly tailored major gift meetings and proposals.
• Ensures that predetermined fundraising goals are met and designs and implements highly specialized program activities to achieve these goals.
• Manage a full spectrum of development strategies including solicitation of prospective donors, cultivation, stewardship and donor recognition.
• Oversee professional and support staff in the areas of development and corporate sponsorships.
• Collaborate with deans and directors, coaches, academic and University leaders and volunteers to achieve fundraising goals.
• Represents Intercollegiate Athletics at campus-wide development activities and participates in campus-wide special advancement projects, campaigns, and policy initiatives.
• Serve on campus wide and local committees as needed.
• Ensure that all advancement activities in Intercollegiate Athletics are conducted in accordance with NCAA, UMKC and Summit League policies and procedures.

Skills & Characteristics Needed:

• Expert written and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
• Expert skills in making persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives of UMKC
• Expert project/program management skills, including skills in setting and meeting program/project goals and objectives within budget and time constraints.
• Expert organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Strong sense of ethical conduct that will inspire confidence and motivation with the proven ability to persuade colleagues and donor prospects, while maintaining confidentiality in all matters as they relate to sensitive donor relations issues.
• Positive demeanor, and ability to foster a welcoming environment for donors, staff and coaches.

Leadership

• It's important this person possess the following leadership skills as he/she will have oversight of the key external departments of Marketing, Development, Ticketing, Strategic Communications, and Corporate Partnerships:
• Promote and encourage professional and personal development of employees.
• Ensure engagement of employees with Athletics Department and UMKC
• Motivate, instruct, and provide regular constructive feedback to employees
• Empower employees to use their abilities so they can act autonomously in their job.

A Bachelor's degree in related/ relevant area or an equivalent combination of education and at least 5-6 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Master's degree
Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential
Expert working knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques for a Division I athletics program
Exhibit thorough knowledge of UMKC and UMKC Athletics, including its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements and infrastructure
Thorough knowledge of the NCAA rules, guidelines, and principles as they influence university fundraising, scholarships, etc.
Experience working in collegiate athletics as a coach or administrator
10 years of fundraising in higher education or related experience
Ability to use a relational donor database system

$85,000 - $130,000 commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity.

Please include resume and cover letter with your application materials.

Application review will begin May 20th, 2024. Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed until position is filled.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person's success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo or call Human Resources at 816-235-1621.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.