Assistant Director of Annual Giving & Donor Services

The University of Missouri Department of Athletics is seeking a motivated, customer-focused professional to serve as the Assistant Director of Annual Giving & Donor Services. Reporting to the Assistant Athletics Director for Development & Strategic Initiatives, this position plays a key role in driving annual philanthropic support and premium seating revenue while delivering an exceptional donor and customer experience. The Assistant Director will manage a portfolio of annual giving and premium seating accounts while serving as a primary frontline resource for Mizzou Athletics Fund donors, Mizzou Leadership Circle (MLC) members, premium seating holders, and prospective supporters. This position will actively cultivate and solicit annual gifts, sell premium seating inventory, coordinate annual renewal efforts and donor communications, support the annual football parking allocation process, and provide account management support to development officers. Working collaboratively across External Relations, the Assistant Director will help grow annual giving participation, premium seating revenue, and MLC membership while providing exceptional service to Missouri Athletics supporters. Key Responsibilities 1. Annual Giving & Donor Development (35%) * Manage a portfolio of annual giving and premium seating accounts through identification, cultivation, solicitation, renewal, and stewardship. * Execute annual giving strategies designed to increase donor acquisition, retention, renewals, and upgrades. * Develop meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, season ticket holders, and prospective supporters. * Identify, cultivate, and recruit new members to the Mizzou Leadership Circle (MLC). * Collaborate with development officers to identify leadership annual giving prospects and transition qualified donors into MLC and major gift portfolios. * Assist in planning and executing annual giving campaigns, donor communications, and stewardship initiatives. * Support annual giving revenue growth through proactive outreach, relationship management, and exceptional customer service. 2. Premium Seating Sales and Management (30%) * Actively sell premium seating inventory, including suites, clubs, loges, field-level experiences, and other premium hospitality offerings. * Manage all single-game premium seating sales, inquiries, reservations, and fulfillment. * Respond promptly to premium seating inquiries while providing exceptional customer service throughout the sales and renewal process. * Coordinate premium seating renewals, contracts, communications, timelines, and benefit fulfillment. * Assist in managing premium seating inventory and identifying opportunities to maximize occupancy and revenue. * Work collaboratively with Ticket Operations, Ticket Sales, and Development staff to ensure a seamless customer experience. * Support premium seating account management and assist development officers with premium seating needs for assigned donors. 3. Donor Services, Customer Support & Operational Collaboration (25%) * Serve as a primary frontline representative of the Mizzou Athletics Fund by responding to donor inquiries through the main office phone line, email account, and other communication channels. * Deliver exceptional customer service to MAF donors, Mizzou Leadership Circle (MLC) members, premium seating holders, and season ticket holders. * Support development officers by assisting with donor account management, including annual giving, ticketing, parking, premium seating, and donor benefit fulfillment. * Assist in managing annual giving and premium seating renewal timelines, communications, to ensure a successful annual renewal process. * Support the annual football parking allocation and selection process, including donor communications, account preparation, selection appointments, customer support, and issue resolution. * Assist Mizzou Leadership Circle (MLC) members and annual donors with parking-related q estions, benefit eligibility, and account management throughout the annual parking selection process. * Partner with Ticket Operations and Development staff to ensure accurate parking assignments and priority seating fulfillment. * Partner with Ticket Operations, Marketing, Communications, and External Relations to support annual giving, premium seating, parking, and MLC initiatives. 4. Donor Engagement and Event Support (10%) * Represent the Mizzou Athletics Fund at athletic events, donor functions, Mizzou Leadership Circle (MLC) events, and community outreach activities. * Assist in planning and executing donor stewardship events, annual giving events, premium hospitality experiences, and MLC engagement opportunities. * Support football, men's basketball, and other athletic event hospitality, including premium seating and Mizzou Leadership Circle game day experiences. * Assist with donor recognition, benefit fulfillment, and special projects that enhance donor engagement, stewardship, and long-term philanthropic support. * Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission of the Mizzou Athletics Fund. 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 responsible experience in fundraising, sales, relationship management, collegiate athletics, higher education, or a related field. * Demonstrated ability to build relationships, communicate effectively, and achieve performance goals. * Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.