Director of Development for Athletics

Ohio Northern University; Ada (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ohio Northern University seeks a dedicated Director of Development for Athletics to lead comprehensive major gift fundraising efforts. The role involves engaging alumni and donors to maximize support for athletics through innovative fundraising strategies. Ideal candidates will have a background in higher education fundraising, excellent communication skills, and a proven track record of securing significant donations.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription insurance

Retirement contributions

Tuition remission for employee and dependents

Twenty days of vacation

Twenty days of paid medical leave

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in closing six-figure gifts.
• Experience with campaign planning and implementation.
• Strong knowledge of fundraising in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for devising and executing major gift fundraising plan.
• Identifying, soliciting, and closing major gifts.
• Overseeing athletics fundraising activities.

Skills

Fundraising

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Benefit package includes: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription insurance, Life insurance, Workers’ Compensation insurance, Unemployment insurance, and Total Disability insurance. Retirement: The University contributes 4% of the regular salary with up to 3% additional in matched contributions into the TIAA Retirement Program. Other benefits include tuition remission for employee, spouse, and employee’s dependent children under the age of 25 (this does not include the last two year of the PharmD program or the JD), twenty days of vacation and twenty days of paid medical leave per year.

Pay Band:

Job Summary:

The Director of Development for Athletics is responsible for devising and executing a comprehensive major gift fundraising plan to maximize charitable support for the University and the athletics department to which s/he is assigned through the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major gift prospects. The Director of Development is responsible for implementing all athletics fundraising activities that have been established as priorities by ONU , including major gifts, special gifts, and annual gifts.

Scope:

Support University Advancement through serving as the Director of Development of Athletics and Polar Bear Club. Oversee the design and execution of a comprehensive advancement plan that includes major gift fundraising, annual fund development, and alumni relations.

• Directly responsible for revenue generation and for fundraising goals of the University’s athletics initiatives.
• Identify, solicit, and close major gifts, both personally and with staff/volunteer/coach/AD participation, in coordination with Advancement and the Athletics Department.

The Director of Development will:

• Be an ambitious and dynamic development professional who is dedicated to building a strong major gift and philanthropic culture throughout his/her designated college;
• Have demonstrated success in closing six-figure gifts; experience with campaign planning and implementation,n and a successful history of closing major gifts, and identifying, attracting, and adding new donors;
• Partner with the Executive Director of Development, Assistant Vice President, Vice President, and Athletics Director, including the establishment and implementation of all of the major gifts fundraising strategies, plans, and goals;
• Support, assist, and partner with other development staff and institutional leaders;
• Demonstrate effective strategic skills to connect and engage alumni, faculty, donors, and local and national philanthropists in major gift opportunities;
• Be creative, innovative, and have a strong background in fundraising while working collaboratively; and
• Have a passion for the impact that ONU can have on students, alumni, and the community.

Key Job Functions:

• Maintain an active portfolio of capable prospects who support the designated college’s and the University’s mission
• Meet or exceed specific goals for donor contacts during the year
• Work with the Athletics Director, coaches, senior faculty, and other University officials on appropriate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits
• Develop best practices in athletics that can be shared with colleges and other business units
• Lead special and/or specific projects or major gifts functions, as assigned, and provide support/mentoring as appropriate to newer development officers

Required Skills:

The ideal candidate will possess a strong knowledge of fundraising, particularly advancement in a higher education setting and planned giving vehicles, as well as strong behavioral competencies and attributes described below.

Functional/Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated success in closing six-figure gifts; experience with campaign planning and implementation
• Must possess a broad institutional perspective and have excellent management and planning skills, as well as a proactive style of leadership that encourages teamwork and interaction
• Demonstrated success in developing proposals that combine gifts for the assigned unit(s) and University-wide special projects
• Experience in fundraising and advancement strategies and techniques
• Expertise and demonstrated success in major gift strategies and practices in higher education, including the responsibility to ensure compliance with governmental and University policies and regulations
• Develop and promote donor acquisitions and renewal programs
• Manage data in order to improve renewal and upgrade rates, average gifts, and other measurable results
• Conduct analysis and processing for various appeals
• Identify and cultivate potential Lehr Society donors in conjunction with the Office of University Advancement
• Plan and implement development and alumni engagement strategies that promote a comprehensive understanding of the college’s mission, goals, and priorities
• Work closely with Alumni Relations and volunteer leadership to develop relationships with alumni and donors
• Work with others on fundraising and alumni engagement activities
• Participate in University-wide and college alumni events to further alumni engagement activities
• Technology skills including computer literacy, familiarity with the internet, social media, word processing, spreadsheets, and database software programs

Behavioral Competencies and Attributes

• A high level of energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to the mission and goals of the institution
• High-level and effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Ability to accomplish tasks in collaboration with and through others in a higher education organization
• Very strong interpersonal skills with the ability to be persuasive with a variety of constituents
• Ability to organize fundraising activities effectively, prioritize prospects, and participate in high-level gift discussions
• Strong leadership and management acumen
• Experience working as part of a team
• Very effective communication skills (including verbal, written, presentation, and listening skills)
• Ability to establish priorities, goals, and timelines and achieve quantifiable outcomes
• Passion for the work; ability to lead with vision
• Orientation toward action and results
• Ethics and integrity in all activities ,internal and external to the University

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field
• Three + years of experience in securing major gifts, including planned gifts
• Significant experience (three+ years) in relationship-building functions
• Experience in engaging constituencies and working with volunteers
• Record of developing and implementing effective fund development plans and achieving metric-driven goals
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• A valid driver’s license and safe driving record

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree and / or CFRE are desirable
• Successful experience at a like-sized higher education institution or complex nonprofit organization

EEO Statement

ONU is an equal employment opportunity employer. Accordingly, no person shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, transgender status, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, separation, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

College Description:

Appointment Length: 12-months

Closing Date:

Closing Date: 07/31/2025

Open Until Filled No

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Status:

Status: Full-Time

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * What is the highest level of education attained?
  • GED
  • High School Diploma
  • Associates Degree
  • Associates Degree in progress
  • Bachelors Degree
  • Bachelors Degree in progress
  • Masters Degree
  • Masters Degree in progress
  • PHD
  • PHD in progress
• * Do you have a valid driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents

Resume

Cover Letter

Copy of Transcript 1

Optional Documents

Letter of Reference 1

Copy of Transcript 2

Other Document

Ohio Northern University

525 South Main Street

Ohio Northern University

525 South Main Street
Ada, OH 45810
419-772-2000