Director of Development

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Job Title : Director of Development

Department : Advancement | Development Constituency Fundraising

Position Overview

The Director of Development will understand the mission, needs and value proposition of the university and the College of Arts and Sciences and build relationships with prospective donors to increase philanthropic support. Donors such as alumni, friends, and / or grateful patients will be identified by listening for opportunities to align their interests and passions with opportunities to donate to the university.

The aim of the role is to actively manage a portfolio of prospective donors to be asked for major gifts of $100,000 and above. Preparation for the “ask” will include creative and strategic utilization of resources to determine the prospective donor’s capacity for giving, build their interest, raise their sights, sustain their engagement and obtain a gift. Success in the position will be guided by annual metrics such as number of monthly meetings, number of gift commitments, and dollars raised. Central resources such as a robust donor database, and reporting and analytics tools exist to help the role achieve goals and manage an allocated budget.

The Director reports to Senior Director of Development and operates with a high degree of independence to make decisions, solve problems, negotiate and adapt to shifting priorities. Expectations include stellar communications and interactions with constituents, collaboration with colleagues across Advancement and the university and Wexner Medical Center, diplomacy, and discretion. This role requires frequent workweek travel including approximately one or two overnight trips per month, regular in-state travel and occasional evening and weekend work and offers a flexible schedule including remote work as agreed upon with the Senior Director of Development.

All members of Advancement are part of creating a culture that inspires an exceptionally multifaceted and talented team and are expected to exhibit The Ohio State University’s Shared Values . The Office of Advancement is committed to acting with kindness, respect, and integrity at all times and welcoming our colleagues’ ideas, voices, and perspectives, acknowledging that we are better together.

Department Overview

The College of Arts and Sciences is Ohio State's laboratory for discovery and creativity. By bringing together ideas and disciplines to create bold, new connections, we empower people and their potential, envision the unimagined, advance innovations and solve unrelenting problems at a scale few others can match. We have 38 academic departments and schools, 80+ majors, 17,453 undergraduate and 2,285 graduate students and 260,000 living alumni.

Duties and Responsibilities

95% - Fundraising

Identifies, qualifies, and cultivates a portfolio of prospective major gift donors. Pursues connections and discovers donor values, capacity, interests and passions. Ensures quality and positive momentum within assigned portfolio to convert prospects to donors. Builds context for gift proposals, develops and implements strategic gift solicitations. Maximizes opportunities to steward donors to further enhance relationships.

Hires, trains and develops, and provides daily management to assigned staff (if applicable).

5% - Miscellaneous

Completes special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Metrics and Collaboration

The annual performance of all fundraisers at Ohio State is measured by the number of qualifications, cultivations, solicitations and commitments / dollars raised the individual accrues over each fiscal year. Each fundraiser may have different expectations regarding these figures based upon, but not limited to, their experience level, unit size, prospect portfolio, past performance, etc. Goal setting is done with the individual’s manager prior to each fiscal year to ensure transparency, consistency and alignment.

All fundraisers at Ohio State are encouraged and expected to collaborate with their colleagues across the institution and can be counted as ‘Secondary’ on a gift in the solicitation, commitment and dollars raised phases of the development cycle. A secondary fundraiser can be considered when a team is working on a multi-unit gift, the fundraiser is a subject matter expert in an area critical to the solicitation or a fundraiser has a pre-existing, meaningful relationship with the donor and their participation helps move the gift forward.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent combination education / experience.

Four (4) years of relevant experience with at least two (2) years of professional fundraising experience (building relationships towards philanthropic end through making calls, conducting face-to-face appointments, creating and presenting proposals, closing gifts) and two (2) years of related experience in marketing, sales, public relations, financial advisement, account management or related field with emphasis on donor cultivation, solicitation and relationship cultivation of individuals / businesses.

Desired Qualifications ( We’re committed to building a team that reflects a variety of skills and experiences and encourage you to apply even if your experience does not align perfectly)

At least four (4) years of professional fundraising experience raising the highest level of philanthropic gifts at an organization (preferably five or six figures and above)

At least four (4) years of professional fundraising experience in higher education or a hospital / health care environment

Experience working in other advancement departments such as donor relations and stewardship, donor communications and / or alumni relations

The Office of Advancement is committed to providing tools and resources for you to learn our business, proprietary databases, university-specific processes, and advancement practices.

You Need to Know

Aside from the unparalleled benefits of working for The Ohio State University and working in the vibrant, smart, enjoyable, and growing city of Columbus, Ohio, this opportunity will provide exceptional rewards that arise from working for an institution doing worldwide life-changing teaching and research. Learn more here : https : / / hr.osu.edu / careers / .

In accordance with the Disaster Preparedness and University State of Emergency Policy 6.17 this position has been designated as a standby position.

Additional Information :

To learn more about the Office of Advancement, please visit advancement.osu.edu .

The budget for this position is up to $85,000. The offer for this position will be based on internal equity and the candidate's qualifications.

Function : Development and Engagement

Sub-function : Development

Career Band : Individual Contributor – Specialized

Career Level : S3

Location : Jennings Hall (0014)

Position Type : Regular

Scheduled Hours : 40

Shift :

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions .

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

As required by Ohio Revised Code section 3345.0216, Ohio State will : educate students by means of free, open and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth; equip students with the opportunity to develop intellectual skills to reach their own, informed conclusions; not require, favor, disfavor or prohibit speech or lawful assembly; create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth and tolerates differences in opinion; treat all faculty, staff and students as individuals, hold them to equal standards and provide equality of opportunity with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.