Director of Development at The Ohio State University

Director of Development at The Ohio State University

Job Type
Full-time
Posting Date
August 14, 2019
Location of Position

Columbus, OH

Company Summary

For 144 years, The Ohio State University's campus in Columbus has been the stage for academic achievement and a laboratory for innovation. It's where friendships are forged. It's where rivalries and revelry are born.

The university's main campus is one of America's largest and most comprehensive. As Ohio's best and one of the nation's top-20 public universities, Ohio State is further recognized by a top-rated academic medical center and a premier cancer hospital and research center. As a land-grant university, Ohio State has a physical presence throughout the state, with campuses and research centers located around Ohio.

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry is the fourth largest public dental school in the United States and it is the only public dental school in Ohio. The college is divided into ten divisions with all major ADA-recognized dental specialties represented. The College has approximately 600 students in its undergraduate and graduate programs.

The Ohio State University is proud to be a premier employer that provides an exceptional total rewards package including medical, dental, vision and many other “hidden” benefits. Our competitive benefits package is offered to all eligible faculty and staff in order to attract, develop and retain top performers eager to share their talent, time and success. Our benefits support your health and financial goals and include not only health insurance, but also generous state retirement, tuition assistance for our employees and their dependents, wellness initiatives, and much more. Please visit https://hr.osu.edu/benefits/ for detailed information. Be your best at The Ohio State University!

Duties and Responsibilities

Position Overview

The Ohio State University’s College of Engineering is seeking two accomplished fundraising professionals with a passion for higher education to serve as a Director of Development.  What makes these opportunities so exciting?  Four things stand out:

  1. Alumni – The College of Engineering has an alumni base like no other. They are passionate, engaged, friendly, and motivated to make a difference.  Their support makes it possible for us to be an innovative leader in engineering and architecture education, to create new discoveries across a broad range of applications and disciplines, and to make a difference at home and abroad.
  2. Leadership – Our Dean and academic leadership provide stability, vision and purpose to ensure all of our efforts are aligned in a thoughtful and intentional manner while providing strong support of Advancement initiatives.
  3. Culture – Our environment is one where we embrace your entrepreneurial spirit and encourage you to collaborate while giving you all the autonomy you need to be successful. Our team is unique in the autonomy we have to work with various departments and faculty.
  4. Resources – Coupled with all of the above, the central resources made available to you, such as a robust donor database and reporting and analytics tools, will allow you to optimize your efficiency and effectiveness by allowing you to focus on your individual priorities while also being armed with the best possible information, strategies and tactics.

These development officers will have a strategic assignment based on their skill sets and the needs across the college as we enter a campaign.  The ability to travel overnight, and work occasional nights and weekends, is essential.  As we are looking to expand our pool of potential prospects, significant discovery work will be required as well.

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

Position Environment

Established in 1870, the Department of Mathematics and Engineering was one of Ohio State’s original seven departments. In 1882, the School of Engineering was created. Today, the College of Engineering and the Knowlton School of Architecture offer exceptional undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 10,000 students every year. Consistently ranked as one of the top engineering schools in the nation, the college is a primary source of creative education, research, technology, and design and planning, and is a vital technical asset for sustaining and growing the Ohio economy.

By continually strengthening its traditional programs while investing in emerging fields, the college is preparing engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, and city and regional planning students to be key contributors and innovative leaders in the workforce of the future. With 56,652 known engineering alumni worldwide and 8,291 known architecture alumni worldwide, The College of Engineering is led by a visionary, supportive dean and is coming off raising a nation-leading $399M in the last campaign.

Performance Objectives

First 1-3 months

  • Become familiar with the overall structure, resources, and capabilities of the team.
  • Develop a deeper understanding of campaign funding priorities for the College of Engineering.
  • Build relationships and plans with central Advancement and College partners including gift planning, corporate relations, donor relations, foundation relations, development communications, and annual giving.

First 3-6 months

  • Begin to actively fundraise by meeting with existing donors and beginning to qualify prospects
  • Implement lead generation and cultivation strategies, engaging appropriate partners as necessary.
  • Establish solicitation strategies for individual portfolio.
  • Work with development team for best practice solicitation strategies and portfolio assignments.
  • Begin implementation and set dates for solicitation strategies.

First 12 months

  • Continue building a portfolio of qualified prospects.
  • Move the prospects through the donor engagement process.
  • Continue working towards meeting team and individual performance goals/metrics by soliciting and closing major gifts of $100,000 and above.

Why Join Ohio State Advancement Now?

The Ohio State University recently concluded the most successful fundraising effort in its history, with contributions from what is believed to be the most donors ever to a higher education campaign. The But for Ohio State Campaign raised over $3 billion from more than 750,000 donors, shattering the goal of $2.5 billion. Ohio State is now six months away from the public kickoff of the next campaign which coincides with the celebration of the university’s 150th birthday. All members of Advancement are part of creating an inclusive culture that inspires an exceptionally diverse and talented team and are measured on their adherence to the following core competencies:  leadership, continuous improvement, teamwork and collaboration, and communication/interpersonal effectiveness.

Position Requirements

Experience Requirements

The selected candidate for this position must have demonstrated success in several areas, including:

At least three years of professional fundraising experience or professional transferable experience (i.e. managing relationships with required measurable output, making calls, conducting face-to-face appointments, creating and presenting proposals, and other fundamental elements of client relationship or sales-related activities)

Required Experience

Desired requirements include:

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

Apply Here

You Need To Know

Aside from the unparalleled benefits of working for The Ohio State University and working in the diverse, smart, safe, fun and growing city of Columbus, Ohio, this opportunity will provide exceptional rewards that arise from working for a land grant institution where you will truly feel the impact of your work. Learn more here:  https://hr.osu.edu/careers/.

Closing Statement

The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.

How to Apply

Please visit advancement.osu.edu to find out more about University Advancement. Questions may be directed to Greg Bright, Recruiter, at bright.159@osu.edu.