VISION: Transform the university through the power of generosity.
MISSION: Unite donor passions with university priorities to elevate the impact of Oklahoma State University.
DEPARTMENT PURPOSE: The Athletics team contributes to the mission by engaging donors and generating private philanthropic support for Oklahoma State University Athletics.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: The Development Associate, Athletics provides critical support to the major gift and annual giving programs within Oklahoma State Athletics and the OSU Foundation. This position is responsible for assisting in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors, while helping manage key engagement activities that strengthen philanthropic support for athletics initiatives.
The role plays an integral part in supporting both major gift officers and annual fund operations by coordinating prospect engagement efforts, supporting revenue-generating strategies, and ensuring a high level of donor and member experience. Serving as a front-facing representative of Oklahoma State Athletics, the Development Associate contributes to building strong, long-term relationships that advance fundraising goals across annual, capital, and membership programs.
KEY AREAS OF FOCUS:
Major Gift Portfolio Management (40%)
- Manage a portfolio of 75–100 major gift prospects with a focus on solicitations of $50,000 and above, primarily targeting mature prospects.
- Emphasis on portfolio development and program building, particularly during the first two years of employment.
- Conduct a minimum of 200 strategic, in-person donor/prospect visits annually.
- Participate in at least 12 solicitation meetings per year.
- Achieve consistent annual fundraising production of $1M+ within 18 months of hire.
- Proactively identify and formally qualify new major and planned gift prospects by developing and executing short- and long-term engagement strategies.
Annual Fund Growth & Revenue Strategy – Seat & Membership Giving (20%)
- Support the OSU Foundation and Assistant Athletics Director of the Annual Fund in expanding the Annual Fund with an emphasis on philanthropic and seat-related giving
- Develop and implement strategies to increase Cowboy VIP membership, revenue, and participation
- Support overall annual fund and campaign revenue goals.
- Contribute to growth initiatives tied to both athletic seating and philanthropic support.
Annual Fund Growth & Revenue Strategy – Non-Seat Giving (20%)
- Assist in project management and execution of Annual Fund initiatives focused on increasing non-seat-related philanthropic revenue.
- Develop, communicate, and implement strategies to grow unrestricted annual support.
- Support planning and execution of revenue-generating initiatives tied to annual giving goals.
- Collaborate across teams to ensure alignment of messaging, outreach, and fundraising priorities.
Premium Seating Retention & Sales Support (10%)
- Support retention and sales strategies for premium seating across Oklahoma State Athletics ticketed sports.
- Assist with planning and execution of annual retention and renewal strategies.
- Support fulfillment of benefits associated with POSSE and Cowboy VIP memberships.
- Collaborate with the Oklahoma State Athletics Ticket Office to ensure a seamless customer experience.
Customer Service & External Relations (10%)
- Serve as a front-facing representative of Oklahoma State Athletics and the OSU Foundation, delivering high-quality customer service to key stakeholders.
- Provide exemplary service to POSSE members, season ticket holders, and external partners.
- Strengthen donor and member engagement through responsive, professional communication.
- Represent the organization in a manner consistent with its mission and values.
Other duties as assigned.
JOB COMPETENCIES AND EXPERIENCE:
Education & Certifications-
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing and communications, nonprofit management, humanities, or related fields required.
Experience-
- Minimum of 0-2 years in fundraising, development, or related experience preferred.
- Experience in a higher education setting preferred.
- Proven sense of humor and ability to have fun!
Organizational Competencies-
- Effective Communication: Proactively ensures effective communication throughout the organization; makes relevant contributions to discussions and meetings, giving clear and concise explanations and sticking to the point; chooses language and communication method to suit the audience, reframes and articulates to help others understand; asks questions to check understanding when disseminating information.
- Execution & Initiative: Motivates self and others to achieve the best results, displaying energy, drive and a desire to succeed; enlists the support of others as necessary to overcome resistance; supervises cross-functional project team execution on tasks to meet stated objectives; helps other employees’ gain the skills and experience they need to contribute; proactively outlines milestones, outcomes and deliverables and effectively communicates them to internal and external stakeholders.
- Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills: Develops and nurtures formal & informal relationships with a wide circle of people beyond those involved in current activities, including potential donors, stakeholders, and information links; encourages collaboration among colleagues, departments and entire organization to achieve results; compromises, handles conflicts, seeks common ground, articulates own and others goals; stays focused on positive win-win outcomes; seeks input on how to leverage existing processes to improve the donor experience; translates ideas into action.
- Problem Solving/Judgment: Gains understanding of how to apply approved policies and procedures; when and why escalation of issues is needed and to whom and communicates decisions and desired outcomes to others; anticipates the outcome of a single decision; recognizes problems in advance, systematically gathers information to define the root cause, breaks down complex information into component parts, develops alternatives, seeks input from others, selects and recommends the best solution.
- Adaptability/Flexibility: Embraces complex or first-time problems as opportunities to learn and incorporate new skills; flexes style based on immediate needs; accepts responsibility for implementing change; evaluates and manages resources needed to implement change; personally supports (in words and actions) organizational direction and change agenda.
- Courage & Conviction: Takes responsibility for individual & project outcomes regardless of success and learns from all results; encourages candid responses, feedback, new ideas and conflicting opinions.
- Donor Centered: Takes time to actively learn about the stated needs by asking questions, exploring how to unite the donors and university’s passions and priorities; anticipates customer needs and proactively makes recommendations.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via video conferencing. Requires frequent repetitive motions when operating computers, telephones, and standard office equipment. Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer, attending meetings, or participating in events. This role includes traveling locally, regionally, and occasionally nationally for donor visits, meetings, and university events, which may include walking on campus and navigating varied environments. Requires a valid driver's license. Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support fundraising events and donor engagement activities. Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to approximately 20 pounds.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
