Assistant Athletic Director – Student-Athlete Services and Letterwinner Engagement

Position Function:

Oversees the strategic engagement of all Mississippi State Athletics letterwinners. Responsible for the planning and execution of student-athlete experience-focused projects. Serve as the department liaison to the M-Club.

Salary Grade: 16

Please see Staff Compensation Structure.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Lead strategies to grow former student-athlete and letterwinner engagement, including measuring and tracking career placement, philanthropic support, and business development/NIL opportunities.
2. Lead and coordinate all former student-athlete and letterwinner initiatives and activities, including reunions, celebrations, strategic partnerships, and gift solicitations.
3. Serve as a visible, positive ambassador for Mississippi State Athletics in all public-facing responsibilities, creating successful partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
4. Maintain consistent and proactive communication with athletic advancement/Bulldog Club staff, as it relates to letterwinner engagement.
5. Serve as liaison to MSU Football's Director of Community Engagement & Former Player Relations as it relates to outreach and engagement of former football student-athletes.
6. Collaborate on student-athlete experience initiatives to enhance career development programming and support post-graduate placement.
7. Collaborate with Senior Associate AD/Communications & Creative and equipment staff on apparel packages for former student-athletes competing professionally.
8. Develop and maintain mentor and professional relationships with current and former student- athletes.
9. Maintain accurate records on all existing and prospective relationships and interactions.
10. Manage and stay within assigned operating and event budgets.
11. Research and benchmark collegiate former student-athlete and letterwinner industry and stay current with relevant market trends and conditions.
12. Execute student-athlete experience related special projects and perform other duties as assigned by Director of Athletics or Deputy AD/General Manager for SA Brand Services & Business Development.
13. Oversees letterwinner contact database: technology & processes.
14. Collaborates with the athletic ticket office for letterwinner ticket opportunities.
15. Collaborates with identified Athletics Department staff members that enhances and advances recruiting, SA Experience.
16. Act as the primary point of contact between MSU Athletics and the M-Club, ensuring clear communication, supporting annual meetings, managing routine interactions, and promoting additional events like sport-specific reunions.
17. Assist with the annual M-Club Hall of Fame by supporting ballot and vote collection process, honoree identification, and event planning logistics.
18. Support efforts to increase active M-Club membership through collaborative planning and outreach initiatives.
19. Collaborates with MSU Alumni Association.
20. Other duties as assigned.

The above essential duties are representative of major duties of positions in this position. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based upon departmental needs. Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job. Not all the duties may be assigned to a position.

Minimum Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sport Management, or related field
- Five (5) years experience in stakeholder and student-athlete engagement

Preferred Qualifications:

- Experience leading former student-athlete initiatives at a power conference (SEC, Big 10, Big 12, ACC) program;
- Experience as a former student-athlete and/or coach at the Division I level;
- Experience leading seven-figure sport specific and special initiative related fundraising campaigns

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Strong communication, interpersonal, facilitation, and organizational skills.
2. Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.);
3. Demonstrates sensitivity;
4. Experience working with populations that reflect cultural, academic, socioeconomic, and ethnic diversity;
5. Must have strong attention to detail and the ability to work with minimal supervision;
6. Must be a person of integrity and character who shares a commitment for knowing and
complying with NCAA, Conference, and institutional rules;
7. Ability to work long and irregular hours;
8. Ability to travel.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

- Frequent interruptions based on changing priorities; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressures from persons other than immediate supervisor.
- Regularly involves lifting, bending or other physical exertion. Often exposed to one or more elements such as heat, cold, noise, dirt, chemicals, etc.
- Job frequently requires walking, standing, lifting, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, and handling objects with hands.

Instructions for Applying:

Please apply online and submit cover letter and resume.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or [email protected].

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or [email protected]. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.