Senior Director of Development, College of Arts and Sciences

Ohio State University; North Carolina; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ohio State University is seeking a Senior Director of Development within the College of Arts and Sciences to build and manage a major gifts portfolio, focusing on donors such as alumni and supporters. The role emphasizes strategic donor engagement, collaboration with university partners, and achievement of fundraising metrics.

The position involves leading a team, frequent travel, and oversight of fundraising programs to secure gifts of $100,000 and above, with accountability for meeting

Qualifications

• Experience in high-level donor fundraising and relationship building.
• Ability to develop and manage a major gift portfolio.
• Strong communication and collaboration across units.

Responsibilities

• Identify and cultivate a portfolio of prospective major gift donors (likely $100k+).
• Coordinate with Advancement and university partners to secure gifts and support strategic initiatives.
• Lead and coach fundraising staff, set goals and monitor performance.
• Prepare compelling proposals and coordinate resources for solicitations.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Job description

Job Title

Senior Director of Development, College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Advancement | Development Constituency Fundraising

Position Overview

The Senior 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 Senior Director reports to the Executive 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.

All members of External Affairs 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 External Affairs 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.

About the College of Arts and Sciences

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

• 75% - 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.
• 20% - Management: Provides management of team members through leadership, coaching and mentorship to develop fundraising skills. Contributes to Advancement team strategies and helps drive initiatives through completion. Provides support for the continued trajectory of increase in new fundraising activity and philanthropic receipts to achieve college goals while driving enhancement of current and creation of new innovative programs.
• Recruits, trains, evaluates, motivates, and coaches employees of various backgrounds and identities; establishes and monitors goals, provides performance feedback and coaching, and supports professional development; completes annual performance management procedures; manages performance issues; is responsible for using independent, consistent and fair judgement in exercising authority; develops procedures, assigns and p