Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Revenue, Philanthropy and Partnerships

Location: Hickory, North Carolina

Position Summary

The Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Revenue, Philanthropy and Partnerships reports directly to the Vice President for Athletics. This position serves as a results-driven leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of athletics revenue generation with an emphasis on corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales, and advertising fulfillment. Emphasis will be placed on initiatives that enhance Lenoir-Rhyne's visibility and brand exposure throughout the Greater Hickory and Unifour region. The successful candidate will also assist the Vice President for Athletics with strategic planning, fundraising initiatives and special projects, as well as support LR's external NIL collective in maximizing fundraising activities and growth.

This position will maintain a collaborative, dotted-line relationship with the LR Office of Institutional Advancement to support coordinated fundraising strategies, donor engagement and broader university advancement initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead strategic partnerships and revenue development for the athletics department, overseeing corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales, fulfillment and portfolio management, including multi-year agreements, accounts receivable follow-up and renewals.
• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to increase athletics revenue through sponsorship sales, advertising, ticketing initiatives and outside events.
• Cultivate, manage and expand relationships with corporate partners, businesses and community organizations to enhance departmental visibility and financial support of LR athletics.
• Collaborate with athletics leadership, marketing, communications, and operations staff to develop and enhance revenue-generating fan engagement initiatives and premium event experiences.
• Identify, solicit and secure new revenue opportunities through prospecting, networking and community engagement.
• Ensure all sponsorship and advertising commitments are fulfilled through proof-of-performance deliverables and reporting.
• Maintain consistent communication and relationship stewardship with corporate partners.
• Analyze market trends, sponsorship valuations and revenue performance metrics to identify opportunities for growth and improve return on investment for athletics partners.
• In collaboration with Institutional Advancement and Bears Club staff, cultivate and steward philanthropic support for athletics through major gifts, capital campaign commitments, annual giving initiatives and donor engagement strategies.
• Work in collaboration with the external Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) collective to optimize growth potential.

Additional Responsibilities 

• Provide support for Bears Club events, fundraising campaigns, donor engagement and special projects.
• Demonstrate a commitment to fiscal integrity and budget management.
• Work diligently to foster an atmosphere of sportsmanship, NCAA compliance, professionalism and respect among staff, coaches and student-athletes.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of four years of athletics management, leadership, fundraising and/or sales experience required. 
• Comprehensive understanding of NCAA Division II athletics preferred. 
• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
• Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication and the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment are required.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy; customer-service oriented and able to establish and maintain positive working relationships with staff, coaches and student-athletes.
• Must be comfortable working in a team environment with a positive attitude and sense of humor and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to academic integrity, student-athlete welfare and NCAA compliance.
• An established record of success in the following key administrative functions is preferred: (a) external revenue generation, (b) corporate sponsorship sales, (c) major gift fundraising, and (d) sport-specific giving.
• This position requires travel and variable work hours, including nights and weekends. Perform other duties as assigned by the department's senior leadership team.

Application Process

While completing the application, candidates will be prompted to submit: 

1. Resume
2. Cover letter
3. Three professional references 

The university’s mission, vision, and values statements may be reviewed using About LR.  

Lenoir-Rhyne University promotes a welcoming campus environment that is integral to the university's commitment to excellence in engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience nurturing a welcoming community, working with faculty, staff and/or students from all walks of life and/or incorporating varied perspectives and traditions in their current or previous positions. This commitment is rooted in our Lutheran tradition of fostering wisdom, nurturing vocation and preparing students for lives of purpose while serving the common good. 

About Lenoir-Rhyne University

Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private, comprehensive institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a city of more than 40,000. The university has additional graduate centers in Asheville, N.C., and Columbia, S.C. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lenoir- Rhyne is less than an hour’s drive from Charlotte, and the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of about 365,000. The university now offers more than 45 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs to approximately 2,400 students. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build community, and promote responsible leadership for service to the world. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne is open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy    

Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

LR is committed to creating a safe campus environment for all members of the LR community, including, but not limited to, those who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. To that end, LR does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including sex stereotypes and sex characteristics), ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.

To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program, activity and employment, LR has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment, and for allegations of retaliation.

LR values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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