Director of Signature Events and Stewardship

1.      Lead strategy and execution for Development signature events, overseeing planning, logistics, budgets, and on-site execution from concept through completion;

2.      Oversee event planning, communications, programming, logistics, and post-event assessments;

3.      Partner with internal and external stakeholders to deliver meaningful donor engagement opportunities;

4.      Collaborate with the Director of Hospitality & Premium Experiences to coordinate hospitality components for all signature events;

5.      Lead all stewardship efforts for Kansas Athletic donors, including Ad Astra members, Annual Fund donors, K Club members, and major gift donors;

6.      Develop and implement comprehensive donor stewardship and engagement strategies;

7.      Oversee donor acknowledgment processes, impact reporting initiatives, stewardship communications, and recognition efforts;

8.      Manage donor recognition initiatives, including Limestone Society naming opportunities, recognition displays, signage, and related materials;

9.      Coordinate the endowed scholarship stewardship program, including donor and student-athlete engagement initiatives and annual stewardship events;

10.   Assist with selection for donor team travel; this may or may not involve travel to specific sites. This includes setting up meal and hotel reservations and relaying information to the various sports or Development contacts;

11.   Develop donor impact stories, testimonials, and stewardship content illustrating philanthropic support;

12.   Collaborate with development staff to ensure consistency in stewardship messaging and donor communications;

13.   Serve as a liaison with university and external partners on donor engagement initiatives;

14.   Support donor-facing communications related to recognition, impact reporting, and stewardship;

15.   Supervise and provide leadership to one Development Coordinator, including delegation of duties, training, and performance management;

16.   Oversee the events and stewardship budget, working with the gift administrator to process payments;

17.   Recommend and implement strategies to increase donor engagement and operational efficiency;

18.   Other work-related duties as assigned by the Athletics Director or their designee.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university;

• Minimum two years' previous special event and/or stewardship work experience;

• Demonstrated experience with donor stewardship, donor relations, or customer/client relationship management;

• Demonstrated proficiency using the Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, etc.);

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;

• Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail;

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under multiple deadlines in a fast-paced office environment with the capacity to adapt quickly to major and minor changes in projects/events and outcomes;

• Ability to work well both independently and in collaboration with staff as a team member;

• Experience in dealing with the public while providing exceptional customer service;

• Self-starter that takes a proactive approach to work;

• Prior supervisory experience or demonstrated leadership capability;

• Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed;

• Knowledge of and commitment to NCAA rules.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous event and/or stewardship work experience in a college or professional athletics environment;

• Previous experience supervising staff;

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university.