Assistant Director, BuckeyeThon

Ohio State University; Kentucky; On-site; USD 54,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Job summary

The Ohio State University seeks an Assistant Director for BuckeyeThon to serve as the primary advisor and driver of student philanthropy on campus. You will lead fundraising campaigns, develop education materials, and coordinate with Student Life to promote giving and engagement.

You will manage a large budget, partner with departments, and mentor volunteers toward ambitious goals, while maintaining strong cross‑campus relationships and ensuring program effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; advanced degree may be desirable.
• 6 years of relevant experience required; 8–12 years preferred.
• Master’s in Higher Education or equivalent is desirable; experience in student involvement.
• Experience in peer-to-peer fundraising and using data for strategic planning.
• Experience in other advancement departments (annual giving/alumni relations).
• Strong organization and communication skills; ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary advisor to BuckeyeThon and drive engagement across campus.
• Develop philanthropy education materials for BuckeyeThon team members.
• Lead strategic engagement plans to connect students to giving.
• Manage a large budget in alignment with Office of Student Life guidance.
• Collaborate with multiple offices and fundraising units for recruitment and fundraising.
• Coordinate liaison activities with selected fundraising units.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Strategic planning

Communication

Relationship building

Data analysis

Project management

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Advanced degree desirable

Master’s degree in Higher Education

Tools

MS Office

Spreadsheets

Database

Crowdfunding

Giving days

Web-based technology

Job description

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Job Title: Assistant Director, BuckeyeThon Department: Student Life | Student Philanthropy The Assistant Director of BuckeyeThon serves as the primary advisor to BuckeyeThon, the official student philanthropy for The Ohio State University, and is the driver behind how BuckeyeThon can be used as a resource for the student philanthropic movement on campus; spreads a culture of philanthropy amongst students through education and engagement within the Dance Marathon program; utilizes the fundraising resources and communication leading up to the annual dance marathon to empower students to understand the impact of their philanthropic behavior; develops philanthropy education materials to distribute to BuckeyeThon Team members; partners with Student Life Departments and Academic Units as well as many activism- and service-based student organizations to promote Ohio State’s Student Philanthropy at the Dance Marathon. This position drives and executes a strategic engagement plan to connect BuckeyeThon Team Members back to giving to Ohio State to support the continued philanthropic efforts of students. They also maintain a large budget for the operations of the organization and ensures spending aligns with guidance from the business office within the Office of Student Life. The Assistant Director will need to operate with a high degree of independence, decision‑making capabilities, judgment, consistency and relationship building. They must be able to handle and prioritize multiple projects at once. This position will also work collaboratively with other offices and fundraising units to promote recruitment and fundraising efforts for BuckeyeThon. They may also serve as liaison to select number of fundraising units to assist them with student philanthropy efforts.

Required Qualification: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Advanced degree in relevant field may be desirable. 6 years of relevant experience required. 8-12 years of relevant experience preferred. Desired Qualification: Master’s degree in Higher Education or equivalent; direct experience in student involvement; experience using data in developing strategic plans and or initiatives; direct experience in peer‑to‑peer fundraising; experience creating innovative trend analysis and systems thinking/ideation; Experience working in other advancement departments such as annual giving and/or alumni relations. Experience in program planning, student engagement, senior class participation, volunteer management, annual giving, higher education and administration; strong organization and communication skills. Knowledge of current trend for student engagement and student philanthropy. Ability to lead volunteers towards ambitious goal. Ability to interact with a diverse population, including students and/or student volunteers, alumni, community leadership and university leadership. Familiarity with dance marathon programs and/or other student‑led peer‑to‑peer programs. Familiarity with MS Office, spreadsheets, database, crowdfunding, giving days, and web‑based technology. Frequent early morning, evening, and weekend work required.

Additional Information: The salary range for this role is $54-62K. The final offer will consider the available budget, the candidate's qualifications, and internal equity. CRM: Function: Student Life, Sub Function: Student Leadership, Engagement and Activities, Career Band: Individual Contributor – Specialized, Career Level: S4. Mission The Office of Student Life fosters students’ development, learning, well‑being and sense of belonging; empowers students to achieve their academic, personal and professional goals; and prepares students to be engaged in a global society. Location: Ohio Union (0161) Position Type: Regular Scheduled Hours: 40 Shift: First 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. At Ohio State, you’ll find work that inspires you. We offer roles and growth opportunities in countless fields and specialties — including a job that’s right for you. Ohio State benefits give you options to take care of what matters most to you — and opportunities to make adjustments as your life and needs change, including:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.
• Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.
• State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.

As Buckeyes, we accomplish more together. No matter your role, you’ll be part of creating what people need now: pathways to education, research and health care. Working at Ohio State means you’re part of a team with a strong sense of community and an unwavering commitment to excellence — and, of course, incomparable Buckeye spirit. We bring out the best in people, help each other succeed and learn together. By joining Ohio State, you become part of a top-20 public university with one of America’s leading academic health centers. We’re a team of dedicated colleagues with access to boundless resources that support you. Review the Frequently Asked Questions for details on using Workday and submitting your application.