"Director of Corporate Sponsorships - 005331"

Director of Corporate Sponsorships - 005331

Western Carolina University

Department: Office of Athletic Programs

About WCU:

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary:

The primary location of this position is on-site at the Cullowhee, NC campus.

The Director of Corporate Sponsorships will be primarily responsible for identifying corporate sponsorship prospects, engaging these prospects directly including the negotiation and solicitation of funds, documenting the negotiated terms and obtaining signed sponsorship agreements. This person will have the authority to negotiate binding sponsorship agreements for the athletic department, within university legal and athletic department guidelines. The Director will have a defined sponsorship revenue goal established each year with accountability of results part of their yearly performance evaluation. Additional responsibilities of this position will include: 1. Fulfillment of sponsorship agreements 2. Invoicing and collecting revenue generated from sponsorship agreements 3. Creating new and creative sponsorship inventory/packages 4. May supervise hourly workers 5. Other duties as assigned The Director of Corporate Sponsorships will report directly to the Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be legally eligible to work in the United States of America without the need for employer sponsorship or any other immigration-related assistance.
• Minimum of Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least one year of athletic sponsorship or ticket sales experience preferred.

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:

To be considered, you must apply online. Review of applications will begin immediately and continues until the position is filled.

Attach a cover letter, current resume, and a list of references (including complete contact information) to complete the application.

For questions or additional information, please contact Chad Gerrety, Search Committee chair at (828) 227-7338.