Job Description

Position Title:

Annual Giving Specialist

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree

Join the team that turns Cyclone pride into meaningful support for student‑athletes, helps positively shape the donor experience, and where your relationship‑building skills help fuel the future of Iowa State Athletics.

The Athletics Department is seeking an entry-level Annual Giving Specialist to support the heart of our donor relations and annual giving efforts. This role helps drive the Cyclone Club’s growth by cultivating relationships, delivering exceptional service, and supporting key fundraising operations.

Examples of what you'll do

• Donor Engagement — Build strong relationships with current and prospective donors, explain benefit offerings, process donations, and resolve issues with care and professionalism.
• Member Benefits — Manage donor benefit programs, including gift-in-kind and stewardship.
• Data & Tracking — Maintain and reconcile Ticketmaster data, track renewals, lapses, and retention trends.
• Fundraising Support — Assist with solicitations, revenue‑growth ideas, and new engagement programming.
• Events & Hospitality — Support Cyclone Club events and donor hospitality on and off campus.
• Compliance — Uphold all University, Big 12, and NCAA rules and regulations.

The ideal candidates are a service‑driven professional with strong interpersonal skills, problem‑solving ability, attention to detail, and comfort working with donors, including occasional challenging interactions. Must be committed to multiculturalism and working with a diverse community. Evening and weekend event work is required.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior involvement with revenue generation in a collegiate athletics department (annual giving, donor engagement, or related ticket sales experience).
• Experience creating social media content and promotional campaigns for a group or business.
• Experience using ticketing systems (Archtics and Ticketmaster) and donor CRM system (Salesforce).

About ISU Athletics

As an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision athletics program and a founding member of the Big 12 Conference, Iowa State University sponsors 18 intercollegiate athletics teams and supports 450 student-athletes in their pursuit of academic and athletic excellence. ISU Athletics employs over 250 talented and dedicated full-time staff members, more than 500 temporary and student employees, and multiple auxiliary partners who collaboratively work within a culture to support and enhance the experiences of Cyclone student-athletes and their loyal fan base. Iowa State student-athletes have produced 10-consecutive years of record-setting Graduation Success Rate scores in the classroom, while athletically, the Cyclones have captured 19 national team championships, 140 national individual titles and 162 conference team championships in its rich history. www.cyclones.com

Application Instructions
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Phone number for 3 references

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type:

Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS806

Original Posting Date:

June 3, 2026

Posting Close Date:

June 10, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R19372

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.