Deputy Athletics Director for Strategic Advancement

General Summary: 

The Deputy Athletic Director for Strategic Advancement will provide strategic leadership and be responsible for department-wide strategic planning efforts and broad supervision with the department’s external units including development, athletic communications, multimedia, marketing, fan engagement, and alumni relations. This position will develop and execute strategies to ensure collaboration and alignment amongst these areas to unify and strengthen the UMass Boston Department of Athletics and Recreation (UMB A&R) identity, brand, presence, message, engagement, and strategic focus. The Deputy is responsible for the leadership, supervision and implementation of a department development strategy including but not limited to affinity programs, annual appeals, endowment and capital related projects, with a major emphasis in the solicitation of gifts of $25,000 or more from individuals, alumni, corporations and foundations efforts and associated marketing and communications strategies. Supervision of a select portfolio for the department and varsity programs will be expected. The Deputy will also work closely with the Director of Athletics and Recreation (A&R) to build strategic efforts towards the development of a high performing and collaborative sport performance model including efforts to garner financial support for the program development and initiatives.

The incumbent reports to the Director of A&R, will work closely with the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, and will collaborate with partners in the University’s Advancement Department, University Communications, the Sports Leadership and Administration Program, and the Department of A&R to recruit and cultivate active volunteers and increase opportunities for engagement among external constituencies to ensure that the program meets its financial targets. Frequent travel is required.

Examples of Duties: 

Strategic Direction and Leadership

• Oversee high-level departmental initiatives that support strategic planning objectives and supervise administrative staff as assigned
• Serve as a member of the departmental leadership team to promote a culture of inclusion, growth, and learning
• In the absence of the Director of Athletics and Recreation, serve as the athletics lead on all external matters
• Serve as a senior departmental strategist
• Promote the leadership development of staff and managers by mentoring, ensuring all have professional development plans/goals, and have opportunity and encouragement to grow.
• Coordinate and execute all department wide meetings and professional development programming for staff through close collaboration with the Director of A&R and Senior Woman Administrator.
• Provide strategic direction, leadership, and active participation to the external functions, emphasizing collaborative and unified work amongst the units
• Participate in and act as the staff liaison to various committees of the institution and the Department of A&R, as assigned by the Director of A&R.

External Relations

• Oversee and direct the external units and functions including development, athletic communications, multimedia, marketing, fan engagement, and alumni relations
• Liaise with the Office of Communications, and the Office of Advancement supporting university initiatives and messaging, building relationships, and delivering expertise around athletics processes and practices
• Supervise the identification, cultivation, and development of new strategic partnerships with external collaborators to support UMB A&R mission, programs and resources.
• Steward and strengthen existing partnerships by leading the partner relationship management in collaboration with the Director of A&R, colleagues, and programs.
• Support the Director of A&R, in implementing UMB A&R’s presence at the city, state, and national levels.
• Plan, administer, conduct, and evaluate all activities associated with the department’s external operations

Philanthropy

• In close coordination with the Director of A&R, the Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Advancement Team, coaches and A&R Administrative team, develop a metric based departmental, comprehensive strategy and annual plan for fundraising efforts including capital planning, Beacons Athletics fiscal-year annual fundraising goals and communications/appeal strategies for Beacons Athletics as a whole and individually for all sport team fundraising groups
• Both supervise the management of and manage a select portfolio of prospects and donors with the ability to make gifts of $25,000 or more
• Supervise and mentor members of the A&R Advancement Team
• Provide leadership and training to coaches and staff on fundraising and marketing/communications initiatives to strengthen both.
• Be creative in strategies to maximize revenue potential, enhance the UMB A&R identity and increase opportunity for engagement
• Serve as the department liaison to various external partners
• Partner with Department of A&R designated liaisons to mobilize coaches to meet fundraising goals through regular communications such as check-ins, ongoing updates, etc.

Marketing and Communication

• Develop and implement an integrated strategic communications plan to advance the Department of A&R’s brand identity; broaden awareness of its programs and priorities; and increase the visibility of its programs across key stakeholder audiences and media outlets.
• Serve as a department liaison to applicable campus partners, including public affairs and communications, marketing, licensing and trademark, etc.
• Oversee supervisors of department special events (non-competition).
• Act as the lead for key content generation for targeted and timely communications, appeals, and announcements to increase donor engagement and stewardship
• Working with the Communications and Development team to develop and implement a comprehensive marketing/communications plan annually for UMB A&R that continues to increase and strengthen the visibility and awareness of the organization.
• Work with department members and the assistant director of athletics communications to generate storytelling content and team announcements
• Help foster strong communication and cohesion internally across departments to ensure alignment of message and information.

Additional Responsibilities

• In close coordination with Director of A&R, lead efforts to build a high performance program model and garner partnership and financial support for efforts
• Provide leadership, supervision, and evaluation of designated team members in Athletics and Recreation for external efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics

Qualifications: 

A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is strongly preferred.

• Minimum 10+ years of previous experience in external affairs in college and/or professional sports is necessary.
• Proven experience and success in finding innovative and creative opportunities to engage multiple institutional constituencies.
• Discretion and ability to communicate and interact effectively with high-level donors and sponsor contacts and the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to gain a comprehensive understanding of the priorities of the Division of A&R and make a persuasive verbal and written case for supporting key programs and projects, effectively matching the interests of prospects to specific A&R needs.
• Demonstrated experience in recruiting, managing, and developing a strong team of staff and program managers.
• Organized, detail-oriented and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision is necessary.
• Proactive thinking with interest in developing and executing new ideas is necessary.
• Ability to work with a wide range of constituencies and stakeholders in a diverse community.
• A demonstrated commitment to a culture of diversity & inclusion that supports the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and demonstrates personal dedication through words and actions.
• Ability to travel and work a non-standard work week including nights, weekends & holidays is necessary.

Application Instructions:

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three references. 

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.

Salary Range: Commensurate with experience

This is a non-union exempt position. 

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to confirm proof of their vaccination status including booster. Exemptions from the vaccine requirement will be permitted only for qualifying religious or medical reasons.