Athletics Development Assistant (Coordinator 1)

Position Overview

The Athletics Development Assistant role within the Development and External Affairs (DEA) at Southern Methodist University (SMU) plays a key administrative liaison role supporting the SMU Athletics Development office and External Affairs team. Reporting to the Assistant Athletics Director of Development, this position ensures smooth day-to-day operations, database management, donor relations, and event coordination.

Key Responsibilities

• Handle incoming phone calls and e-mails, responding promptly and courteously to donor inquiries and guests.
• Coordinate scheduling for weekly team meetings and quarterly committee meetings, including preparing agendas and fundraising reports.
• Manage office supplies and vendor interactions to maintain departmental resources.
• Assist development officers with travel logistics, expense report processing via SAP Concur, and invoice preparation.
• Collaborate with campus administrative staff, including the Athletic Director's assistant, for scheduling and other administrative support.
• Oversee the Athletics fundraising database (Paciolan) to run reports, process donations and ticket purchases, maintain data integrity, and reconcile information with the University’s Blackbaud database.
• Maintain priority point rankings and ensure accurate entry and acknowledgment of gifts.
• Generate and distribute gift acknowledgments and thank-you notes to donors.
• Provide event support for home football, men's basketball games, and various donor-related events throughout the year.
• Serve as primary liaison to the Lettermen's Association, organizing meeting spaces, recording minutes, managing ticket inquiries, and supporting subcommittees like the Hall of Fame Induction and Silver Anniversary Mustang Award Committees.
• Regular evening and weekend work is required to support athletic events.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent is required; a Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• At least two years of relevant experience, ideally in administration, athletics development, or non-profit sectors.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, to engage effectively across diverse university constituencies.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities and organizational skills with keen attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is essential; familiarity with Paciolan/PAC Funds is preferred; experience with Blackbaud BBEC or Salesforce is desirable.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Requires prolonged sitting periods.
• May necessitate working evenings and weekends for athletic events.

Institutional Context

SMU is a prestigious private university located in Dallas with over 12,000 students from across the United States and over 80 countries. It offers a rich academic environment through eight degree-granting schools and is known for fostering ethical and enterprising leadership among students and faculty. The Development and External Affairs department supports SMU’s mission by securing funds, promoting engagement, and raising the university’s profile locally and globally.

Benefits and Equal Opportunity

SMU provides a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, wellness programs, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities like tuition benefits. The university is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Additional Details

• Job Location: Dallas, Texas
• Employment Type: Full-time, On-site
• Salary: $23.08 per hour
• Application Deadline: August 14, 2026, with priority consideration for applications received by July 31, 2026.