Position Summary

The Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Revenue, Philanthropy and Partnerships reports directly to the Vice President for Athletics. This position serves as a results-driven leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of athletics revenue generation with an emphasis on corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales, and advertising fulfillment. Emphasis will be placed on initiatives that enhance Lenoir-Rhyne's visibility and brand exposure throughout the Greater Hickory and Unifour region. The…

successful candidate will also assist the Vice President for Athletics with strategic planning, fundraising initiatives and special projects, as well as support LR's external NIL collective in maximizing fundraising activities and growth.

This position will maintain a collaborative, dotted-line relationship with the LR Office of Institutional Advancement to support coordinated fundraising strategies, donor engagement and broader university advancement initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Lead strategic partnerships and revenue development for the athletics department, overseeing corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales, fulfillment and portfolio management, including multi-year agreements, accounts receivable follow-up and renewals.
Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to increase athletics revenue through sponsorship sales, advertising, ticketing initiatives and outside events.
Cultivate, manage and expand relationships with corporate partners, businesses and community organizations to enhance departmental visibility and financial support of LR athletics.
Collaborate with athletics leadership, marketing, communications, and operations staff to develop and enhance revenue-generating fan engagement initiatives and premium event experiences.
Identify, solicit and secure new revenue opportunities through prospecting, networking and community engagement.
Ensure all sponsorship and advertising commitments are fulfilled through proof-of-performance deliverables and reporting.
Maintain consistent communication and relationship stewardship with corporate partners.
Analyze market trends, sponsorship valuations and revenue performance metrics to identify opportunities for growth and improve return on investment for athletics partners.
In collaboration with Institutional Advancement and Bears Club staff, cultivate and steward philanthropic support for athletics through major gifts, capital campaign commitments, annual giving initiatives and donor engagement strategies.
Work in collaboration with the external Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) collective to optimize growth potential.

Additional Responsibilities

Provide support for Bears Club events, fundraising campaigns, donor engagement and special projects.
Demonstrate a commitment to fiscal integrity and budget management.
Work diligently to foster an atmosphere of sportsmanship, NCAA compliance, professionalism and respect among staff, coaches and student-athletes.

Required Qualifications

Minimum of four years of athletics management, leadership, fundraising and/or sales experience required.
Comprehensive understanding of NCAA Division II athletics preferred.
Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication and the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment are required.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy; customer-service oriented and able to establish and maintain positive working relationships with staff, coaches and student-athletes.
Must be comfortable working in a team environment with a positive attitude and sense of humor and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to academic integrity, student-athlete welfare and NCAA compliance.
An established record of success in the following key administrative functions is preferred: (a) external revenue generation, (b) corporate sponsorship sales, (c) major gift fundraising, and (d) sport-specific giving.
This position requires travel and variable work hours, including nights and weekends. Perform other duties as assigned by the department's senior leadership team.

Application Process

While completing the application, candidates will be prompted to submit:

Resume
Cover letter
Three professional references

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Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Revenue, Philanthropy and Partnerships

Lenoir-Rhyne University

625 7th Ave Pl NE, Hickory, NC 28601, USA

Position Summary

This is a Preview Listing…

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Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Revenue, Philanthropy and Partnerships

Lenoir-Rhyne University

625 7th Ave Pl NE, Hickory, NC 28601, USA

Position Summary

This is a Preview Listing…

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Grants to USA Entities for Resource Management Research

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Grants to USA Entities for Intelligent Dynamic Systems Research

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Grants to USA Entities for Nanochemistry, Supramolecular, and Macromolecular Chemistry Research

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2026 AAA Annual Meeting: On the Verge

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AGU Fall Meeting 2026

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Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Revenue, Philanthropy and Partnerships

Lenoir-Rhyne University

625 7th Ave Pl NE, Hickory, NC 28601, USA

Position Summary

This is a Preview Listing…

Related Jobs

Related Research Grants

Grants to USA Entities for Resource Management Research

Grants to USA Entities for Research on Engineering Systems

Grants to USA Entities for Advanced Materials Research

Grants to USA Entities for Intelligent Dynamic Systems Research

Grants to USA Entities for Civil Infrastructure Research

Grants to USA Entities for Nanochemistry, Supramolecular, and Macromolecular Chemistry Research

Grants to USA IHEs, Nonprofits, and Tribes for Chemistry Research on Life Processes

Grants to USA Entities for Chemical Computational Methods, Models, and Theory Research

Related Conferences

2026 AAA Annual Meeting: On the Verge

87th Annual Meeting of the Society for Applied Anthropology

AABA Annual Meeting 2027

75th Annual Highway Geology Symposium

GSA Annual Meeting 2026

AGU Fall Meeting 2026

Southeastern Section Meeting 2027

APS Division of Nuclear Physics Meeting (DNP 2026)

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Joint March Meeting and April Meeting — Global Physics Summit 2027

Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Revenue, Philanthropy and Partnerships

Lenoir-Rhyne University