The Associate Athletic Director for External Relations and Revenue Generation provides strategic leadership and oversight for all athletics-related revenue initiatives at Mercer. This position is responsible for leading, coordinating, and expanding athletic-generated revenue streams with a primary focus on corporate sponsorships and sales. The role oversees the identification, cultivation, and retention of corporate partners while ensuring alignment with the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics.
The Associate AD develops and executes revenue strategies, manages corporate relationships, and maintains a robust sales pipeline to support the athletic department’s financial goals. This position also provides supervision and leadership to revenue-generating staff, including two Graduate Assistants, and may have additional responsibilities related to sport supervision. Success in this role requires a proactive, creative approach to revenue growth, strong relationship management, and the ability to negotiate and finalize sponsorship agreements.
Qualifications: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university in Marketing, Communications, Sports Management, or a related discipline, and five years of relevant experience are required.
Candidates must have a valid driver's license and be insurable by the university's carrier as this position requires travel.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Knowledge of collegiate athletics administration and the evolving business and revenue models within college athletics.
Knowledge of corporate sponsorship, sales strategies, and revenue generation practices.
Knowledge of contract principles and sponsorship agreement structures.
Understanding of relationship-based sales and account management.
Proven sales skills with demonstrated success in generating and increasing revenue.
Strong negotiation and contract-closing skills.
Effective leadership and team management skills, including the ability to motivate and guide revenue-generating staff.
Relationship management skills with the ability to cultivate and maintain long-term corporate partnerships.
Strategic planning and pipeline development skills.
Ability to identify and secure new corporate sponsorship opportunities.
Ability to manage and retain existing corporate sponsors while maximizing partnership value.
Ability to think creatively and proactively to drive revenue growth.
Ability to lead and coordinate multiple revenue initiatives simultaneously.
Ability to communicate (oral/written) effectively with internal and external stakeholders to effectively promote the athletics program.
Ability to work collaboratively with other Mercer University staff, students, volunteers and athletics boosters.
Possesses the ability to use Microsoft Word for preparing copy, scripts and proposals, and Microsoft Excel for preparing budgets and sponsorship proposals.
Background Check Contingencies: - Criminal History - Approved Driver's Check
Required Document Attachments: - Resume - Cover letter - List of three professional references with contact information
With more than 9,200 students enrolled in 12 schools and colleges, on major campuses in Macon and Atlanta; medical school campuses in Macon, Savannah, Columbus and Valdosta; and at regional academic centers in Henry and Douglas counties, Mercer is ranked among the top tier and best values of national research universities by U.S. News & World Report.
Mercer is the only NCAA Division I private institution in Georgia and competes in the historic Southern Conference (SoCon). Mercer’s 18 intercollegiate teams include men’s baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer and tennis; and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, beach volleyball, track and volleyball.
