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The Director, Strategic Priorities leads high-impact marketing and outreach strategies to drive philanthropic giving and grow membership for the National Commodore Club and the Black & Gold Club. As a key member of the athletics development team, this position oversees direct appeals, digital outreach, and integrated communications to deepen constituent relationships and enhance revenue for Vanderbilt Athletics. The Director serves as a primary partner to DAR, Athletics, and Marketing & Communications (MARCOM) stakeholders to ensure messaging, segmentation, and campaign execution align with fundraising priorities and constituent needs.
About the Work Unit
The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University's teaching and research programs.
DAR’s university development team is responsible for seeking new resources from alumni, parents, friends, and family foundations to support key fundraising priorities. More information can be found here: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/
Key Functions and Expected Performance
Develop and execute a comprehensive annual solicitation strategy targeting athletics constituents, parents, alumni, and friends to increase philanthropic support for Vanderbilt Athletics and the National Commodore Club (NCC).
Plan and implement multi-channel campaigns, including direct mail, email, print, web, video, and social media, for annual giving, sport-specific initiatives, capital projects, and athletics campaigns; coordinate creative development, data segmentation, vendor coordination, and content production.
Lead Giving Day strategy and execution to drive participation, increase giving, and expand visibility among key audiences.
Support donor outreach and engagement strategies tied to Vandy United and related capital projects, partnering with development officers and communications colleagues to align messaging and fundraising priorities.
Promote and manage fundraising efforts for Sport Excellence Funds, creating sport-specific appeals and targeted communications to drive support for individual programs, with a focus on student-athlete alumni and parents.
Manage the NCC website and social media accounts, ensuring timely, engaging, and brand-aligned content that informs and inspires current and prospective donors.
Oversee communication schedules for the Black & Gold Club, ensuring consistent engagement with former student-athletes.
Manage the NCC email marketing platform to deliver segmented, personalized digital campaigns that drive donor engagement, participation, and retention.
Create and implement data-driven segmentation strategies that reflect fundraising best practices and drive donor engagement, participation, and retention.
Provide exceptional customer service to NCC members, addressing inquiries related to annual giving, priority status, tickets and parking, and the game day experience.
Lead planning and execution of online auctions and explore new revenue-generating opportunities to support Vanderbilt Athletics.
Partner with the events and donor relations team to enhance donor experience, including special event communications, coverage, and follow-up.
Serve as a liaison to Marketing and Communications to support NCC donor engagement initiatives and Black & Gold alumni engagement initiatives; ensure alignment with broader athletics and institutional goals.
Prepare and distribute reports on donor giving and campaign performance for athletics leadership, coaches, and staff.
Support game day hospitality and other department events as needed, providing on-site donor support and enhancing the fan experience.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Work Environment:
This position will be located in the Nashville, TN area and will be required to be in the office every day, Monday through Friday. Routine travel, nights, and weekends will be required.
Supervisory Relationships
This position reports administratively and functionally to the Associate Athletics Director/Senior Director of Strategic Priorities.
This position will not have any direct reports.
Education and Certifications
A bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, is required.
Experience and Skills
Five years of relevant experience, or the equivalent, is required.
Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated fundraising/marketing campaigns across channels (direct mail, email, digital, social, web, print, and video).
Experience with audience segmentation, list strategy, and performance measurement to drive donor participation, retention, and revenue outcomes.
Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple campaigns simultaneously and coordinate stakeholders.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present Vanderbilt’s priorities effectively to alumni, parents, and friends.
Strong interpersonal skills and judgment suitable for exercising appropriate discretion and demeanor with donors, volunteers, and university partners.
Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across teams (DAR colleagues, Athletics leadership, advancement services, and other campus partners).
Ability to plan and execute donor engagement and stewardship activities (events, visits, and personalized outreach).
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
Ability to exercise good judgment in the handling of confidential information.
Ability to use current computer technology, such as Windows, Excel, Word, and Vanderbilt’s donor CRM (Salesforce VandyQuest) and related systems.
Ability to work independently, take initiative, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to ever-changing priorities.
Routine overnight travel is required
Evening and weekend work is required
At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.
We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.
