The Assistant Director for Advancement and External Affairs leads marketing, communications, advancement, fundraising, sponsorship, and external engagement initiatives that increase Florida Memorial University's visibility, reputation, relationships, and revenue. The position cultivates alumni, donor, corporate, community, and University relationships while supporting FMU's institutional and Athletics priorities.
The Assistant Director cultivates and maintains relationships with alumni, donors, corporate partners, community organizations, sponsors, and University stakeholders to support fundraising initiatives, membership programs, revenue generation, and strategic partnerships.
Additionally, the position oversees University marketing and promotional activities, including digital and social media, website content, email marketing, advertising, event promotion, and brand management. The Assistant Director analyzes marketing, fundraising, ticketing, attendance, and partnership data to evaluate performance, identify growth opportunities, support revenue forecasting, and provide recommendations that advance the goals of FMU Athletics.
Essential Functions:Marketing, Communications & Brand Development
- Develop and implement marketing, communications, and branding strategies that enhance FMU Athletics visibility, engagement, attendance, and revenue.
- Manage digital marketing, social media, website content, email campaigns, promotional materials, press releases, and advertising.
- Ensure Athletics messaging aligns with University branding standards while strengthening the Athletics brand.
- Monitor marketing trends and analytics to improve campaign effectiveness and audience engagement
- Collaborate with coaches, staff, vendors, and University departments to create and deliver marketing initiatives.
- Lead ticket sales strategies and initiatives to increase attendance, memberships, and revenue.
- Develop and manage sponsorship, corporate partnership, and community engagement programs.
- Cultivate, negotiate, and maintain relationships with business, nonprofit, and community partners.
- Oversee sponsorship fulfillment, partner activations, and revenue-generating opportunities.
- Support fundraising initiatives, donor cultivation, stewardship, and engagement efforts.
- Manage donor and prospect records and assist with the growth of Athletics fundraising programs, including the 1879 ROAR Fund.
- Develop donor communications, proposals, presentations, and recognition programs.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with alumni, donors, supporters, and community stakeholders.
- Plan and coordinate donor, alumni, sponsorship, community, and promotional events.
- Support game-day marketing, hospitality, sponsorship activation, and fan engagement activities.
- Develop initiatives that strengthen community involvement and enhance the Athletics experience.
Administration & Reporting
- Track and analyze marketing, ticketing, fundraising, attendance, and sponsorship performance metrics.
- Prepare reports, forecasts, and recommendations for Athletics leadership.
- Manage budgets, contracts, vendors, and technology platforms related to marketing and advancement operations.
- Provide guidance to student workers and support staff.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of athletics marketing, fundraising, ticket sales, sponsorships, communications, and external relations.
- Strong skills in relationship building, donor stewardship, sales, negotiation, and partnership development.
- Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Proficiency with digital marketing, social media, CRM systems, fundraising and ticketing platforms, analytics tools, and Microsoft Office.
- Ability to analyze data, manage multiple projects, develop strategic initiatives, and meet deadlines.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and customer-service skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, and special events as required.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Public Relations, Sports Management, Advancement, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in athletics marketing, advancement, fundraising, ticketing, sponsorships, communications, external relations, or a related field.
- Experience developing marketing campaigns, fundraising initiatives, sponsorship programs, events, and revenue-generating strategies.
- Experience with CRM, ticketing, fundraising, digital marketing, and analytics platforms.
- Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholder relationships.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
- Criminal background check
Florida Memorial University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA), those functions of the job that are identified as essential are required to be performed with or without reasonable accommodations. Requests to facilitate the performance of essential functions will be given careful consideration.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Public Relations, Sports Management, Advancement, or a related field
- Master's degree
- Five years of progressively responsible experience in athletics marketing, advancement, fundraising, ticketing, sponsorships, communications, external relations, or a related field
- Experience developing marketing campaigns, fundraising initiatives, sponsorship programs, events, and revenue-generating strategies
- Experience with CRM, ticketing, fundraising, digital marketing, and analytics platforms
- Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholder relationships
- Criminal background check
What We Do
Florida Memorial University is a private, coeducational, and Baptist-affiliated historically black college (HBCU) located in Miami Gardens, Florida. Established in 1879 as the Florida Baptist Institute, it is one of the oldest academic centers in the state and the only HBCU in South Florida. The university is committed to providing hope and opportunity through a diverse academic community, fostering the growth and excellence of its students.
