Executive Director of the Athletic Association

Fort Valley State University - Fort Valley, GA

Full-time - Executive

Fort Valley, GA

1,001-5,000 employees

Educational Services

About the position

Fort Valley State University (FVSU), a state and land-grant institution of the University System of Georgia, is seeking an Executive Director of the Athletic Association. This position is pivotal in enhancing the visibility of the university and its athletic programs while increasing resources through effective fundraising strategies. The Executive Director will report directly to the Athletic Director and will work closely with the Director of Advancement, the Executive Director of the University Foundation, and the Chair of the Athletic Association. The role is primarily focused on fundraising and donor cultivation, which constitutes 75% of the responsibilities, followed by ticket and corporate sponsorship fulfillment (15%), and daily office tasks (10%). The Executive Director will lead all fundraising initiatives for Wildcat Athletics, identifying and cultivating major gift prospects, overseeing the annual fund, and managing monthly invoicing to donors. A comprehensive giving strategy will be developed and implemented to boost alumni giving and identify potential donors beyond the Fort Valley State network. The role also involves identifying funding opportunities through grants and foundations, evaluating staff and coaches for targeted donation asks, and sending donor acknowledgments. Additionally, the Executive Director will collaborate with university personnel and faculty to provide academic support services, including tutoring and degree checks. The position requires planning, coordinating, and supervising events related to revenue generation, as well as assisting with the corporate sponsorship program and ticket sales. Other duties may be assigned by the Director of Athletics and the FVSAA as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead all fundraising initiatives on behalf of Wildcat Athletics.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward major gift prospects.
• Oversee the annual fund and monthly invoicing to donors.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive giving strategy to increase alumni giving and identify potential donors outside of the Fort Valley State network.
• Identify funding through grants and foundations.
• Evaluate staff and coaches for assistance in targeted donation asks.
• Send donor acknowledgments.
• Work with university personnel and faculty to provide academic support services including tutors, transcript evaluations, and degree checks.
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise events related to revenue generation.
• Assist with corporate sponsorship program, fulfillment, and ticket sales.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics and the FVSAA.

Requirements

• Master's degree required.
• Minimum of five years of experience working in intercollegiate athletics as a fundraiser.
• Experience with NCAA Division II compliance rules and gender equity required.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written), organizational, and human relations skills required.

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge and application of NCAA Division II rules.
• Knowledge and application of the fundraising software.
• Knowledge and application of gender equity in reference to Title IX.
• Skill in the delegation of responsibility and authority.
• Skill in the operation of computers and job-related software programs.
• Skill in decision making and problem solving.
• Skill in interpersonal relations and in dealing with on-campus and off-campus community.