Deputy Athletics Director of External Affairs and Strategic Initiatives

Job Description

Alabama State University, Intercollegiate Athletics, invites applications for a Deputy Athletics Director for External Affairs/Strategic Initiatives. This position serves as a senior leader within the ASU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, responsible for driving the strategic vision, planning, and execution of advancement, fundraising, alumni engagement, and revenue-producing initiatives. This role strengthens the financial foundation, visibility, and long-term sustainability of Hornet Athletics while championing the mission, values, and proud traditions of Alabama State University. The Deputy AD provides executive leadership across advancement operations, donor relations, special events, and sport administration for assigned programs. This position plays a critical role in cultivating relationships that elevate the student-athlete experience, enhance competitive excellence, and expand the department’s philanthropic and revenue-generating capacity.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead a comprehensive advancement strategy that increases philanthropic support and strengthens relationships with donors, alumni, and community stakeholders.
• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Partner with University Advancement to align fundraising priorities, campaigns, and donor engagement strategies.
• Develop targeted fundraising initiatives that support capital projects, sport-specific needs, and departmental priorities.
• Oversee all revenue-producing initiatives, including annual giving, premium experiences, special events, and new business development.
• Identify and implement innovative revenue strategies that enhance the financial health of the department.
• Collaborate with marketing, communications, and ticketing to maximize revenue opportunities and brand visibility.
• Evaluate and expand corporate partnership opportunities that align with ASU’s mission and community impact.
• Design and execute a robust alumni engagement plan that celebrates ASU’s athletic legacy and strengthens lifelong connections.
• Support alumni-centered programming, including reunions, recognition events, networking opportunities, and sport-specific engagement initiatives.
• Build and sustain active alumni networks that support mentorship, career development, and departmental priorities.

Job Description

Alabama State University, Intercollegiate Athletics, invites applications for a Deputy Athletics Director for External Affairs/Strategic Initiatives. This position serves as a senior leader within the ASU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, responsible for driving the strategic vision, planning, and execution of advancement, fundraising, alumni engagement, and revenue-producing initiatives. This role strengthens the financial foundation, visibility, and long-term sustainability of Hornet Athletics while championing the mission, values, and proud traditions of Alabama State University. The Deputy AD provides executive leadership across advancement operations, donor relations, special events, and sport administration for assigned programs. This position plays a critical role in cultivating relationships that elevate the student-athlete experience, enhance competitive excellence, and expand the department’s philanthropic and revenue-generating capacity.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead a comprehensive advancement strategy that increases philanthropic support and strengthens relationships with donors, alumni, and community stakeholders.
• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Partner with University Advancement to align fundraising priorities, campaigns, and donor engagement strategies.
• Develop targeted fundraising initiatives that support capital projects, sport-specific needs, and departmental priorities.
• Oversee all revenue-producing initiatives, including annual giving, premium experiences, special events, and new business development.
• Identify and implement innovative revenue strategies that enhance the financial health of the department.
• Collaborate with marketing, communications, and ticketing to maximize revenue opportunities and brand visibility.
• Evaluate and expand corporate partnership opportunities that align with ASU’s mission and community impact.
• Design and execute a robust alumni engagement plan that celebrates ASU’s athletic legacy and strengthens lifelong connections.
• Support alumni-centered programming, including reunions, recognition events, networking opportunities, and sport-specific engagement initiatives.
• Build and sustain active alumni networks that support mentorship, career development, and departmental priorities.
• Provide executive oversight for advancement-related and revenue-generating events, including Basketball Alumni Weekend, Basketball Tip-Off Event, Golf Tournament, and other signature initiatives.
• Ensure events reflect ASU’s tradition, values, and commitment to excellence while delivering measurable fundraising and engagement outcomes.
• Collaborate with campus and external partners to elevate event quality and impact.
• Serve as the Sport Program Administrator for assigned sport programs, providing leadership, accountability, and operational guidance.
• Provide broader sport administration oversight to ensure consistency, efficiency, and equitable support across all athletic programs.
• Oversee program budgets, scheduling, compliance, and operational planning ensuring alignment with institutional and conference standards.
• Serve as the primary liaison between coaches, athletics leadership, and campus partners to support competitive excellence and student-athlete well-being.
• Contribute to strategic planning, policy development, and executive decision-making that advances the long-term vision of ASU Athletics.
• Supervise assigned staff and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, integrity, and student-centered service.
• Represent ASU Athletics at university, community, and regional events to enhance visibility and institutional pride.
• Serve on NCAA, conference, and university committees as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration, Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Higher Education Administration, or a related field, minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in intercollegiate athletics, athletic development, external relations, advancement, or a related area; demonstrated experience in major gift fundraising, donor cultivation, and revenue generation; proven success managing alumni engagement, special events, corporate partnerships, or external operations; experience working in or closely with NCAA Division I athletics; demonstrated experience supervising staff and managing cross-functional teams.

Experience leading or collaborating on capital campaigns or comprehensive fundraising initiatives, a background in HBCU athletics and/or public higher education environments, experience with sport administration oversight, including budget management, compliance coordination, and operational planning and an established network of corporate partners, donors, or community stakeholders preferred.

Supplemental Information

EEOC STATEMENT:
It is the policy of Alabama State University to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

Federal law requires identity and employment eligibility verification on Form I-9 within three (3) business days of employment.

All positions require the passing of a background check and some the passing of a drug screen.

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