Senior Director of Athletic Development

OKLAHOMA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
POSITION DESCRIPTION

Senior Director of Athletic
Development

Title:

Department: Advancement

OBU Mission Statement
OBU transforms lives by equipping students to pursue academic excellence, integrate faith with all areas
of knowledge, engage a diverse world, and live worthy of the high calling of God in Christ.

Expectations for all Employees
Oklahoma Baptist University achieves its mission through a shared commitment to the following
expectations. All employees must embrace these expectations and model them in their behavior.

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OKLAHOMA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
POSITION DESCRIPTION

Senior Director of Athletic
Development

Title:

Department: Advancement

OBU Mission Statement
OBU transforms lives by equipping students to pursue academic excellence, integrate faith with all areas
of knowledge, engage a diverse world, and live worthy of the high calling of God in Christ.

Expectations for all Employees
Oklahoma Baptist University achieves its mission through a shared commitment to the following
expectations. All employees must embrace these expectations and model them in their behavior.

 Demonstrate commitment to the essentials of the Christian faith.
 Commit to the mission and vision of Oklahoma Baptist University.
 Treat people with dignity and respect.
 Build relationships on honesty, integrity, and trust.
 Strive for excellence through teamwork, leadership, and a strong work ethic.
 Manage human and financial resources wisely and efficiently.

Purpose: The Senior Director of Development for Athletics is responsible for leading,
executing, and growing a comprehensive major and principal gifts program in support of OBU
Athletics. This position plays a critical role in advancing the university’s philanthropic priorities
by developing deep institutional donor relationships, driving transformational giving, and
partnering closely with institutional leadership. Reporting directly to the Vice President for
Advancement & Alumni, the Senior Director works in close collaboration with the OBU Athletic
Director, University President, and Vice President to cultivate, solicit, and steward major and
principal donors whose philanthropic interests align with OBU Athletics and the university’s
broader mission. This role requires a strategic, donor-centered fundraiser with exceptional
relationship-management skills, strong understanding of NCAA Athletics, and the ability to
operate confidently with high-capacity donors.

Essential Functions:

Major & Principal Gifts Fundraising
 Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and donors, with a primary focus

on gifts at the $50,000+ level and above.

 Develop and implement customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies

for individual donors, families, and key stakeholders supporting OBU Athletics.

 Lead the identification, qualification, and progression of prospects through the major and

principal gift pipeline.

 Secure philanthropic investments for athletics priorities and strategic initiatives aligned

with institutional goals and presidential priorities.

Strategy, Campaigns & Systems
 Design and execute major giving strategies and campaigns for OBU Athletics in

coordination with the Advancement leadership team.

 Collaborate on campaign planning, goal setting, naming opportunities, and donor

engagement strategies tied to athletics initiatives.

OKLAHOMA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
POSITION DESCRIPTION

 Partner with Advancement Services to ensure accurate prospect tracking, reporting, and

portfolio management using the university’s CRM systems.

Leadership & Liaison Role
 Serve as the primary Advancement liaison to OBU Athletics, working in close
partnership with the Athletics Director to align fundraising priorities and donor
engagement efforts.

 Coordinate and participate in donor meetings and high-level cultivation activities

alongside the Athletic Director, VP of Advancement & Alumni, and other senior leaders.

 Provide strategic counsel to Athletics leadership on donor engagement, messaging, and

philanthropic opportunities.

Stewardship & Relationship Management
 Work closely with Donor Relations to deliver timely, meaningful, personalized and

donor-centered acknowledgments and communications.

 Build long-term, trust-based relationships that reflect OBU’s mission, values, and

commitment to excellence.

Required Qualifications:

 Demonstrated success in advancement, fundraising, or development, with a strong

emphasis on major gift fundraising.

 Proven experience managing high-level donor relationships and securing significant

philanthropic commitments.

 Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
 Ability to work effectively with senior leadership, coaches, donors, and university

stakeholders.

 Willingness and ability to travel regionally and nationally as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

 Experience fundraising within intercollegiate athletics, higher education, or mission-

driven organizations.

 Familiarity with capital or comprehensive campaigns.
 Experience collaborating with executive leadership in donor engagement efforts.

Education:

Required: Bachelor’s degree
Preferred: Master’s degree

Experience:
Required:
 3 – 5 years experience in major gift fundraising in higher ed institution or athletics related

industries.

 Alignment with the mission and values of Oklahoma Baptist University.
Preferred
 5 years experience fundraising within intercollegiate athletics, higher education, or

mission-driven organizations.

OKLAHOMA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
POSITION DESCRIPTION

Equipment:

• Required: Experience utilizing CRM systems.
 Preferred: Familiarity with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT and Microsoft Suite systems.

Physical Requirements:

 Ability to travel frequently both statewide and nationally.
 Ability to attend sporting events and navigate large crowds.

Special Requirements:

 Must be a member of a local evangelical* Christian church.

*Evangelical is a broad term referring to segment within Christianity which maintains the
authority of the Bible and the belief in salvation by faith in Jesus alone.

 Please apply using the link for “Administrative Applications” on the OBU website at:

https://www.okbu.edu/hr/jobs.html

OBU Benefits Summary:
OBU understands that our employees are our most valuable assets when fulfilling our mission. We
strive to offer an extensive array of benefits and opportunities for employees to choose from. Full-
time employees benefit from the generous OBU provision of premium contributions for
nationwide family-friendly Health and Dental coverages along with free life insurance that
includes accidental death and dismemberment equal to an employee’s base salary. OBU provides
access to optional employee-paid ancillary benefits like vision, hospitalization, critical illness,
accident, additional employee-paid family life insurance coverages, and education benefits at OBU
and other institutions of higher education. There is generous paid time off that includes annual
granted vacation time, accrued sick leave, six annual holidays, and week-long breaks for
Thanksgiving and Christmas that include energy conservation days. For all employees working at
least half-time, there is an employer matching opportunity for retirement investments in a
403(b)(9) plan administered by Guide Stone. There are numerous other perks and opportunities
for OBU employees including FREE family membership to the OBU Recreation and Wellness
Center or RAWC, Global outreach university mission trips, cafeteria discounts, and parking
privileges to name a few. For more information about the current OBU employee benefits and
opportunities, please contact the Human Resources staff at HR@okbu.edu.

Apply Now

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