Associate Director of Development, Events

Associate Director of Development, Events

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The Associate Director of Events leads the strategy, design, and execution of high-impact donor engagement experiences for Michigan Athletics. This role deepens relationships with top stakeholders through creative programming, premium gameday hospitality, and seamless event management.

Signature initiatives include coaches tours, scholarship events, Hall of Honor Inductions, facility milestone celebrations, premium seating events, annual giving and ticketed fundraisers, postseason receptions, the Athletic Director's Suite, concerts, and more.

This team member is a creative and skilled project manager, able to juggle competing priorities in a dynamic environment. The Associate Director advances Michigan Athletics' mission by building meaningful relationships and delivering unforgettable donor experiences.

Ability to work early mornings, evenings and weekends, as well as the occasional extended-hour workdays during high-volume times.

• Concept Development: Conceptualize and lead engaging event experiences tailored to donors and prospects, ensuring a diverse annual calendar that supports various giving segments.
• Executive Communications: Draft and distribute high-level event briefing materials for the Athletic Director, University President, and Head Coaches.
• NIL & Partnership Integration: Collaborate with Champions Circle and UMAD leadership to create donor engagement opportunities related to NIL; partner with Learfield to secure corporate sponsor ships and funding for events.
• Content Strategy: Produce compelling written content for the website, newsletters, and M Magazine to highlight event success and enhance the sense of donor community.

• End-to-End Execution:Oversee all logistical phases, including venue sourcing, transportation, equipment rentals, and on-site staffing. Serve as the primary point of contact for execution and troubleshooting on event days.
• Vendor Management:Negotiate contracts and manage relationships with caterers, decorators, and A/V technicians. Coordinate with the Business Office to ensure all legal and financial agreements are executed timely.
• Technology & Data:Utilize DART (Donor and Alumni Relationship Tool) for invitation process and attendance tracking and Paciolan for ticketing and payment processing.
• Digital Outreach:Manage guest list management and digital invitation strategy.

• Manage UMCU All-Star Lounge
  
  Experience:
  
  Oversee all aspects of the UMCU All-Star Lounge during home athletic events and concerts, ensuring a seamless and elevated experience for guests, including hospitality, ambiance, and personalized service.
• Gameday Operations:Work football, basketball, and ice hockey gameday shifts and serve as on-site contact, coordinating guest services and issue resolution within high-profile environments.
• Pre-Event Club Coordination
  :
  Liaise with catering partners, design and order specialized menus, coordinate logistics, and manage guest communications for premium space experiences.
• Concert Event Support:Facilitate logistics during concerts including collecting suite payments, organizing artist meet-and-greet opportunities, and delivering an exceptional UMCU All-Star Lounge experience.
• Special Event Design and Execution
  :
  Lead the conceptualization and implementation of signature events such as season openers, 'Founding Member' gatherings, and courtside seat holder experiences, ensuring each event is distinct and memorable.
• Facility Milestone Events:Plan and produce unique engagement activations for major facility and premium space milestones, including groundbreaking ceremonies, hard hat tours, pre-launch unveilings, and grand openings, collaborating with internal and external partners for maximum impact.

• Departmental Participation:Participate in non-development Michigan Athletics events as appropriate, including campus activities, on and off-campus athletic events, and department-wide initiatives.
• Adaptive Responsibilities:Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time to meet the evolving needs of the department.

• Bachelor's degree encouraged, preferably in Sport Management, Hospitality Management, Communications, Business, or a related field.
• 3-5 years experience in athletics, event management, donor relations, fundraising events, or hospitality.
• Proven track record of designing and executing high-impact events or experiences.
• Strong project management skills; able to juggle multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; adept at building…