Development Associate, Academic and Student Affairs

Oklahoma State University Foundation•Stillwater, OK

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Academic and Student Affairs team at Oklahoma State University Foundation is seeking a Development Associate to build long-term philanthropic partnerships that advance the mission and strategic initiatives for Academic and Student Affairs. This role focuses on major gift fundraising, aiming to secure gifts of $25,000+ and cultivate a pipeline of active donors and prospects. The position involves significant donor interaction, including personal visits and solicitations, with a target of completing 8+ major gift solicitations annually and closing at least 60% of them. The associate will be responsible for an annual production of $350K+ for the OSU System. Additionally, the role requires effective portfolio management, including tracking fundraising progress, maintaining regular contact with prospects, and collaborating with Prospect Development and Research. Donor engagement and stewardship, as well as contributing to the team's overall fundraising goals of $12M for Academic and Student Affairs and $7M for General University Scholarships, are also key aspects of this position. The department's vision is to transform the university through the power of generosity, and its mission is to unite donor passions with university priorities to elevate the impact of Oklahoma State University.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing and communications, nonprofit management, humanities, or related field required.
Minimum of 0-2 years in fundraising, development, or related experience preferred.
Experience in a higher education setting preferred.
Proven sense of humor and ability to have fun!
Effective Communication: Proactively ensures effective communication throughout the organization; makes relevant contributions to discussions and meetings, giving clear and concise explanations and sticking to the point; chooses language and communication method to suit the audience, reframes and articulates to help others understand; asks questions to check understanding when disseminating information.
Execution & Initiative: Motivates self and others to achieve the best results, displaying energy, drive and a desire to succeed; enlists the support of others as necessary to overcome resistance; supervises cross-functional project team execution on tasks to meet stated objectives; helps other employees’ gain the skills and experience they need to contribute; proactively outlines milestones, outcomes and deliverables and effectively communicates them to internal and external stakeholders.
Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills: Develops and nurtures formal & informal relationships with a wide circle of people beyond those involved in current activities, including potential donors, stakeholders, and information links; encourages collaboration among colleagues, departments and entire organization to achieve results; compromises, handles conflicts, seeks common ground, articulates own and others goals; stays focused on positive win-win outcomes; seeks input on how to leverage existing processes to improve the donor experience; translates ideas into action.
Problem Solving/Judgment: Gains understanding of how to apply approved policies and procedures; when and why escalation of issues is needed and to whom and communicates decisions and desired outcomes to others; anticipates the outcome of a single decision; recognizes problems in advance, systematically gathers information to define the root cause, breaks down complex information into component parts, develops alternatives, seeks input from others, selects and recommends the best solution.
Adaptability/Flexibility: Embraces complex or first-time problems as opportunities to learn and incorporate new skills; flexes style based on immediate needs; accepts responsibility for implementing change; evaluates and manages resources needed to implement change; personally supports (in words and actions) organizational direction and change agenda.
Courage & Conviction: Takes responsibility for individual & project outcomes regardless of success and learns from all results; encourages candid responses, feedback, new ideas and conflicting opinions.
Donor Centered: Takes time to actively learn about the stated needs by asking questions, exploring how to unite the donors and university’s passions and priorities; anticipates customer needs and proactively makes recommendations.
Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via video conferencing.
Requires frequent repetitive motions when operating computers, telephones, and standard office equipment.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer, attending meetings, or participating in events.
This role includes traveling locally, regionally, and occasionally nationally for donor visits, meetings, and university events, which may include walking on campus and navigating varied environments.
Requires a valid driver's license.
Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support fundraising events and donor engagement activities.
Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to approximately 20 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a higher education setting preferred.

Responsibilities

Solicit and secure major gifts to OSU Foundation with a focus on gifts of $25,000+.
Conduct a minimum of 150+ personal visits with donors, prospective donors, and their advisors to solicit planned gifts and major gifts, while building a pipeline and portfolio of active donors and prospects, creating individual cultivation strategies.
Complete 8+ major gift solicitations annually, closing a minimum of 60% of solicitations at a major gift level of $25,000+.
Responsible for annual production of $350K+ for the OSU System.
Report and track fundraising progress through the use of contact reports, prospect management and other communication tools to ensure efficient and effective communication.
Maintain regular contact with portfolio prospects.
Learn OSU Foundation data management standards and best practices.
Effectively engage in qualification/disqualification activities and document activities appropriately.
Collaborate with Prospect Development and Research to identify new OSU Foundation donors.
Develop and execute established stewardship strategies in partnership with Constituent Relations Associate.
Collaborate effectively with other colleges and units to increase donor support.
Work alongside PGR to cultivate and qualify major gift prospects from Digital Experience Officers and others.
Assist in leading in the fundraising goal of raising $12M for Academic and Student Affairs annually and $7M for General University Scholarships.
Other duties as assigned.