Director of the Jax State Athletic Foundation - (JSU - AL)
Jacksonville State University
Application
Details
Posted: 26-Feb-25
Location: Jacksonville, Alabama
Type: Full-time
Salary: Commensurate with expereince
Categories:
Operations
Sector:
Collegiate Sports
Jacksonville State University invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of the Jax State Athletic Foundation beginning no later than July 1, 2025.
Under the general direction of the Associate Vice President for Philanthropy and in collaboration with the Vice President of Athletics, the Director of the Jax State Athletic Foundation leads a comprehensive development program to secure major gifts supporting athletic programs. This includes funding for operations, endowments and capital projects.
The Director is responsible for developing and executing a strategic plan to enhance engagement, commitment and philanthropic support from alumni, parents, friends and community partners. The role focuses on increasing annual unrestricted contributions, as well as capital and endowment gifts aligned with Athletics priorities. At least 60% of the position's responsibilities involve direct engagement with qualified prospects and donors for cultivation and solicitation. Employment in this role is contingent upon compliance with university policies, NCAA regulations and conference affiliation guidelines.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Develops a detailed program-specific fundraising plan in coordination with the Associate Vice President for Philanthropy, outlining the organizational structure, volunteer duties needed, time schedules and method of operation
Manages a caseload of no more than 100 major gift donors and prospects at the $25,000+ level
Executes strategies for identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewarding of major donors and key volunteers for Athletics and Academics
Conducts prospect research and identification that will lead to the solicitation of individual major gifts
Develops and keeps current a database of major gift prospects while executing strategies to ensure that newly identified prospects are contacted in a timely manner
Prepares and presents major gift proposals
Cultivates and manages relationships with donors
Develops support materials, presentations and correspondence for major gift requests
Communicates progress toward development goals with the Associate Vice President for Philanthropy
Provides leadership and support for major gift volunteers and solicitation committees
Provides orientation and guidance to volunteers
Encourages qualified prospects to consider the benefits of including JSU in their estate plans
Monitors a timely system of gift acknowledgement, including the mailing of receipts, the advising of appropriate University officials and reporting to donors for memorials and similar projects
Manages a team of athletic philanthropy officers to include Football, Men's Sports and Women's Sports
Develops and manages the Jax State Athletic Foundation Advisory Board, which consists of former athletes from each sport
Provides oversight and direction for the Jax State NIL ER
Other duties as assigned
REQUIREMENTS
Knowledge of:
University policies, rules and regulations
Division/Department and University policies, procedures, functions and related regulations, as well as organizational relationships, mission, goals and expectations
Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point), Adobe Acrobat, and social media web platform
NCAA rules as they apply to marketing athletics programs
Financial management and fundraising, preferably in a higher education setting
Corporate sponsorship and sales trends
Skills:
Effective time management skills
Strong analytical skills
Aptitude for working with numbers and reconciling activity
Organized, attentive to detail and customer-focused
Excellent interpersonal skills
Monitoring and assessment skills to help ensure necessary enhancements and/or corrective action is taken
Active listening skills to help ensure the needs of all parties are considered and represented
Quick thinking and solutions oriented
Ability to:
Lead, supervise and evaluate employees
Work and communicate effectively with diverse populations
Use diplomacy and discretion when giving out information and referring callers and visitors
Work independently and maintain confidentiality
Meet schedules and deadlines related to the role
Manage budgets
Determine work priorities, plan and organize a variety of work duties, and delegate effectively to others
Develop and maintain professional work relationships with administrators, co-workers, faculty, students and the general JSU community
Make effective presentation to large and small groups
Communicate orally and in writing, with co-workers, administrators, public officials, employees, national organizations and students from a variety of backgrounds
Cultivate, develop and maintain sales relationships and partnership
Gather and analyze information in order to make recommendations
Work with minimum supervision and as part of a team
Work successfully under deadlines and goals; manage multiple projects simultaneously and effectively, to exhibit energy and strong interpersonal skills in the accomplishment of goals
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, communications or a related field
Minimum five (5) years’ experience in fundraising, sales, marketing and/or promotions
Prior management experience
Preferred Qualifications
Two (2) to Four (4) years of management experience, preferably in a fundraising setting
To nominate someone for this position, e-mail: nominations@highereducationleadershipsearch.com
Bill Meehan, Ed.D. will be assisting the Jacksonville State University with the search. If you have questions or would like to have a confidential conversation about the position, call 256-239-2305 or e-mail billmeehan@highereducationleadershipsearch.com
Jacksonville State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and specifically invites applications from women, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities.
Candidates for this position will be considered through March 24, 2025
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks compete in 18 NCAA Division I sports, demonstrating a long-standing tradition of excellence and competitive success. Jax State joined Conference USA on July 1, 2023, elevating its football program to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of college football. Since the transition, the Gamecocks have continued to build on their championship legacy, earning multiple conference titles, NCAA postseason appearances and national recognition across various sports.
To further enhance the success of its athletic programs, Jax State launched the Jax State Athletics Foundation in November 2024. This foundation serves as the primary fundraising and donor engagement arm for the University's athletic programs, providing critical financial support to ensure continued growth and success. The foundation plays a vital role in securing scholarships, facility upgrades and program enhancements, helping to position Jax State Athletics as a premier mid-major Division I program. As part of the “It’s A Jax State of Mind” Campaign, one of the primary themes is winning championships with goal of securing $33 million for a new Football Performance Center, In...door Practice Pavilion and increasing annual support for all athletic programs.
In December 2024, Jax State also established the Jax State ERA (Excellence, Revenue and Administration) initiative, designed to support student-athletes in the evolving landscape of college athletics. Jax State ERA, the in-house Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) operation, will focus on opportunities, career development and holistic athlete support, which ensures that Gamecock athletes are well-positioned for success both on and off the field. Through strategic partnerships, professional networking and financial education, this initiative helps student-athletes navigate the changing collegiate sports environment while maximizing their potential.
With a commitment to academic and athletic excellence, Jax State continues to invest in the growth and development of its student-athletes, ensuring that the Gamecock legacy remains strong in Conference USA and beyond.
