Assistant Director of Stewardship & Hospitality

The University of Missouri Department of Athletics is seeking a service-oriented, organized, and detail-focused professional to serve as the Assistant Director of Stewardship & Hospitality. Reporting to the Senior Director of Hospitality & Premium Experiences, this position provides support in the planning, coordination, and execution of stewardship, hospitality, donor recognition, and engagement initiatives for the Mizzou Athletics Fund. This position will play an important role in delivering exceptional experiences for members of the Mizzou Leadership Circle (MLC), premium seating holders, and other key supporters of Missouri Athletics. Serving as a key operational partner to the Senior Director, the Assistant Director will assist in executing a comprehensive stewardship and recognition program while supporting donor events, premium hospitality, game day experiences, event participation strategies, and post-event stewardship efforts that strengthen donor relationships and encourage long-term philanthropic support. The Assistant Director will help advance the Mizzou Athletics Fund's commitment to delivering a best-in-class donor experience by supporting innovative stewardship initiatives, exceptional hospitality, and meaningful engagement opportunities that foster lifelong relationships with Missouri Athletics supporters. Key Responsibilities 1. Stewardship and Donor Recognition (35%) * Assist the Senior Director in executing a comprehensive donor stewardship and recognition program for the Mizzou Athletics Fund, with a primary emphasis on the Mizzou Leadership Circle (MLC). * Support donor recognition initiatives, including donor signage, recognition displays, naming opportunities, plaques, stewardship communications, and other recognition efforts. * Assist in coordinating donor appreciation initiatives, stewardship gifts, and recognition programs that celebrate philanthropic support and donor loyalty. * Help maintain stewardship calendars, donor recognition inventories, and benefit fulfillment schedules. * Coordinate stewardship fulfillment to ensure donors receive timely, meaningful, and personalized recognition. * Assist in developing stewardship touchpoints before and after donor events that reinforce the impact of philanthropy and strengthen donor relationships. 2. Hospitality and Event Support (35%) * Assist in planning and executing MLC special events, premium hospitality experiences, and stewardship events. * Support premium game day hospitality operations for football, men's basketball, and other athletic events, with a primary focus on delivering exceptional experiences for MLC members. * Coordinate event logistics, including invitations, registrations, catering, venue setup, signage, staffing, volunteer coordination, and post-event follow-up. * Support event marketing, invitations, and outreach efforts designed to maximize attendance and engagement among MLC members and invited donors. * Track event participation and attendance, identify engagement trends, and provide recommendations to enhance future donor experiences. * Coordinate post-event stewardship activities, including thank-you communications, donor follow-up, photography, surveys, and benefit fulfillment. * Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications teams to promote donor events, MLC initiatives, and stewardship experiences through social media, digital communications, photography, and other storytelling opportunities that highlight the impact of philanthropy. * Assist in developing event communications and promotional materials that increase awareness, drive participation, and enhance the visibility of MLC programming and donor engagement initiatives. * Assist with premium hospitality operations during athletic events. * Support the development and execution of unique hospitality experiences and engagement opportunities that strengthen donor affinity and encourage continued participation. 3. Donor Experience & Col aboration (20%) * Support the Senior Director in delivering an exceptional donor experience for MLC members, premium seating holders, and other Mizzou Athletics Fund supporters. * Assist in coordinating MLC benefits, hospitality offerings, and engagement opportunities throughout the year. * Collaborate with development officers to support stewardship plans, donor engagement opportunities, and hospitality experiences for assigned prospects and donors. * Partner with development officers and the Senior Director of Hospitality & Premium Experiences to create customized stewardship plans and unique donor experiences for the Athletics Department's highest-level supporters. * Assist in coordinating personalized hospitality opportunities, behind-the-scenes experiences, coach interactions, facility tours, and other exclusive engagement opportunities designed to recognize and steward leadership donors. * Work closely with Annual Giving, Development, Ticket Operations, Marketing, Communications, and External Relations to ensure a seamless donor experience. * Respond to donor requests related to stewardship, hospitality, event participation, and donor recognition in a timely, professional, and service-oriented manner. * Support initiatives that increase MLC participation, deepen donor engagement, and create meaningful opportunities for supporters to connect with Missouri Athletics throughout the year. * Continuously identify opportunities to enhance the donor experience by developing creative hospitality, recognition, and engagement initiatives that strengthen relationships with MLC members and inspire continued philanthropic support. 4. Administrative Support & Special Projects (10%) * Maintain accurate records of event participation, stewardship activities, donor engagement, hospitality utilization, and recognition initiatives. * Prepare event summaries and participation reports to evaluate attendance, donor engagement, and opportunities for continuous improvement. * Assist with budget tracking, vendor coordination, event logistics, and stewardship project management as assigned. * Represent the Mizzou Athletics Fund at donor events, athletic contests, and community functions. * Perform other duties and special projects as assigned in support of the mission of the Mizzou Athletics Fund. Minimum Qualifications A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 2 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary. Preferred Qualifications Prior experience executing large scale events and/or working in premium services is preferred.