Donor Engagement & Stewardship Specialist - OU Athletics

Position Summary:  

Reporting to the Assistant AD, Athletics Donor Engagement, the Donor Engagement & Stewardship Specialist leads and executes critical stewardship activities, including but not limited to the donor acknowledgement and engagement strategy for Athletics Advancement. Other key functions include the management of game-day hospitality and staff, facilitating customer and donor satisfaction and the management of a portfolio of Sooner Club members.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and execute a comprehensive donor acknowledgment and engagement strategy for Athletics Advancement, including gift tracking, acknowledgment timelines and notifications, and fulfillment of appreciation packages.

• Partner closely with development officers to design and implement customized acknowledgment plans for leadership gifts of $1 million and above including the Seed Sower Society and other university initiatives.

• Develop, enhance, and implement innovative acknowledgment and stewardship initiatives that elevate the donor experience and strengthen long-term engagement.

• Coordinate timely and accurate communication of gift information to sport programs and special initiatives, ensuring appropriate and consistent donor recognition.

• Play a key role in strategic donor communications, including auto-acknowledgment emails, personalized thank-you mailers, thank-you notes and other stewardship touchpoints.

• Manage and execute unique donor appreciation efforts tied to special occasions such as events, holidays, milestones, and championship celebrations.

• Support the Donor Engagement and Premium Events Specialist with game-day premium operations, including outreach to suite and club holders, supervision of game-day staff, and execution of pre-game and day-of logistics.

• Oversee assigned areas of game-day donor engagement operations across athletics events as needed.

• Assist with the coordination and on-site execution of special donor and letterwinner events and experiences.

• Manage a portfolio of Sooner Club members with responsibility for engagement, stewardship, and annual renewal support.

• Serve as a liaison to assigned booster club(s), fostering strong relationships and consistent communication.

• Ensure all activities align with the mission, core values, and brand standards of Oklahoma Athletics and the OU Foundation.

• Champion and promote the student-athlete experience in all donor engagement and acknowledgment initiatives.

• Maintain a thorough understanding of and adherence to NCAA and SEC rules and regulations; promptly report any violations or suspected violations to compliance staff.

• Maintain a standard in-office work schedule to support in-person engagement with current and prospective Sooner Club members.

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Senior Associate Athletics Director and Assistant AD, Athletics Donor Engagement.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with donors, campus partners, and university constituents.

• Demonstrate commitment to providing high-touch, premium-level customer service with strong emotional intelligence and professionalism.

• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment while maintaining high standards of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.

• Experience with CRM systems, database management, and Microsoft Office products.

• Ability to initiate and maintain effective relationships with campus partners, administrators, donors, faculty, and students.

• Ability to solve problems in live-event environments and adapt quickly to changing needs.

• Knowledge of hospitality and premium service best practices.

• Experience working in higher education or a similarly complex nonprofit organization preferred.

• Ability to represent and effectively communicate the mission and priorities of the university.

• Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required for events and donor engagement.

Equivalent Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree

• 1-2 years of experience in donor relations, customer engagement, hospitality, or a related field; experience in collegiate athletics or higher education preferred.

SALARY RANGE:

• Salary commensurate with experience.