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Posted: 05-Jun-25
Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
Type: Full-time
Salary: $75,000 - $82,000
Sector:
Salary Details:
This position is responsible for leading external relations efforts, including major gifts and annual giving fundraising (65%), corporate sponsorship sales (20%), event planning (10%), and administrative duties (5%). This position will help increase philanthropic support to the South Dakota Mines and Hardrocker Athletics by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors. This position will employ a relationship-oriented approach to secure new, renewed, and upgraded gifts from a portfolio of individuals, corporations, and foundations. Collaboratively with other advancement and alumni engagement team members, this position will help advance philanthropy and facilitate positive alumni relations and donor management.
The role reports directly to the Athletics Director, with a dotted line of responsibilities to the South Dakota Mines Foundation and the Center for Alumni Relations & Advancement (CARA). The Senior Associate Athletics Director will play a pivotal role in increasing philanthropic support, fostering donor engagement, and driving revenue growth to enhance the success of Hardrocker Athletics and South Dakota Mines.
Key Responsibilities:
Philanthropy, Major Gifts, and Annual Giving (65%)
• Develop and implement strategic fundraising initiatives to enhance philanthropic support for Hardrocker Athletics and South Dakota Mines.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, including alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations.
• Manage a portfolio of leadership and major gift prospects, ensuring effective moves management and relationship development.
• Collaborate with the CARA team to develop and execute fundraising strategies for athletic scholarships, facilities, and program operations and enhancements.
Corporate Sponsorship Sales (20%)
• Develop and implement corporate sponsorship programs to generate revenue and enhance partnerships for Hardrocker Athletics.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure corporate sponsorships that align with the university’s values and branding.
Event Planning and Letterwinner Engagement (10%)
• Plan and execute fundraising, donor stewardship, and engagement events for Hardrocker Athletics and South Dakota Mines.
• Oversee athletics-focused letter winner and alumni events, networking receptions, and recognition ceremonies.
Administrative Responsibilities (5%)
• Work closely with the Athletics Director, CARA leadership, and university administration on external affairs strategy.
• Other duties assigned by Athletic Director
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in fundraising, athletics development, external relations, sales, or a related field.
• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and secure philanthropic contributions.
• Strong understanding of donor motivation and fundraising principles.
• Demonstrated success in corporate sponsorship sales and relationship management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft persuasive messaging.
• Experience in event planning, donor engagement, and alumni relations.
• High level of personal integrity and high standard for personal conduct
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate, inspire and lead others
• Demonstrated professional judgment and discretion
• Capacity to make thorough decisions and take accountability for those decisions
• Demonstrated flexibility, time management, initiative, organizational skills and daily multi-tasking
• Ability to delegate and empower staff
• Outstanding work ethic
• Knowledge of NCAA compliance
• Strong oral and communication skills
To Apply:
South Dakota Mines is committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce and offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life coverage options for employees, spouses and dependents; retirement plans; paid holidays; and a generous vacation and sick day allowance. Individuals interested in this position must apply online at Careers at Mines (sdsmt.edu). Human Resources can provide accommodation to the online application process and may be reached at (605) 394-1203. Review of applications will begin June 18, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Employment is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
Please attach a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references (include name and email address for each reference).
Founded in 1885, South Dakota Mines is the premier destination for ambitious students seeking bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees at the intersection of innovation and tradition. Renowned for hands-on learning and pioneering research, Mines educates future leaders in STEM fields who will make a meaningful impact on the world. Our vibrant community of supportive faculty, tenacious students, and passionate alumni fosters a culture of ingenuity, collaboration, and lifelong success.
Nearly 2,500 students from every state and over 40 countries are represented on the Mines campus. The university is recognized for its rigorous curriculum and boasts a strong return on investment for its graduates. With an average class size of 24 and a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Mines is committed to delivering an education that equips students with the skills and experience needed to thrive in their chosen fields.
At Mines, student life is vibrant and welcoming, offering more than 80 clubs and organizations that foster a sense of community and provide leadership opportunities. Co-curricular activities, such as internships, cooperative education opportunities, and professional development programs, ensure that students gain practical, hands-on experience in their fields while enhancing their academic learning. Students can explore their passions outside the classroom, from competitive athletics, music programs, and intramural sports to professional societies, competitive engineering teams, and cultural clubs.
South Dakota Mines faculty, staff, and students drive groundbreaking research across five main areas: advanced materials and manufacturing, deep underground science and engineering, critical and sustainable resources, smart and resilient cyber-infrastructure, and data science and numerical modeling. This research advances technology and innovation and offers students hands-on opportunities to address real-world challenges, preparing them for leadership roles in their careers and beyond. With a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship, South Dakota Mines provides programming that empowers students and faculty to transform scientific and technological innovations into viable products and startups.
Rapid City, the home of the Hardrockers, is the state's second-largest city, with an MSA population of over 158,000. The city sees an average of 226 days of sunshine annually and is surrounded by many things to see and do. The region has roughly 1.2 million acres of breathtaking scenery in the Black Hills National Forest, 700 miles of motorized trails, nearly 500 miles of hiking trails as well as top attractions like historic Deadwood, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Badlands National Park, Terry Peak Ski Area, and Reptile Gardens.
South Dakota Mines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. South Dakota Mines and the Board of Regents ensures that all employment practices are free of discrimination.
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in fundraising, athletics development, external relations, sales, or a related field.
