Director of Development, College Of Engineering

The Ohio State University•Columbus, OH

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Development for the College of Engineering builds relationships with prospective donors to increase philanthropic support for The Ohio State University and the College of Engineering. The role identifies alumni, friends, and other prospective donors, and aligns their interests and passions with opportunities to support the university. The Director actively manages a portfolio of prospective donors for major gifts of $100,000 and above. Work includes assessing prospects’ giving capacity, building and sustaining their interest and engagement, preparing strategic gift proposals and solicitations, securing gifts, and stewarding donors. Performance is measured through annual metrics such as donor qualifications, cultivations, solicitations, gift commitments, and dollars raised. The role has access to donor databases, reporting and analytics tools, and an allocated budget. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Director works independently to make decisions, solve problems, negotiate, and adapt to changing priorities. The role requires strong communication, collaboration across Advancement and the university and Wexner Medical Center, diplomacy, and discretion. It involves frequent workweek travel, including approximately one or two overnight trips per month and regular in-state travel, as well as occasional evening and weekend work. The position may include hiring, training, developing, and managing assigned staff. It is designated as a standby position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Four years of relevant experience, including at least two years of professional fundraising experience involving relationship-building, calls, face-to-face appointments, proposals, and closing gifts.
At least two years of related experience in marketing, sales, public relations, financial advisement, account management, or a related field, with an emphasis on donor cultivation, solicitation, and relationship cultivation with individuals or businesses.
Ability to work with a high degree of independence and to make decisions, solve problems, negotiate, and adapt to shifting priorities.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, collaboration, diplomacy, and discretion.
Ability to travel frequently for work, including regular in-state travel and approximately one or two overnight trips per month; occasional evening and weekend work is required.

Nice To Haves

At least four years of professional fundraising experience raising an organization’s highest-level philanthropic gifts, preferably five- or six-figure gifts and above.
At least four years of professional fundraising experience in higher education or a hospital or health care environment.
Experience in other advancement departments, such as donor relations and stewardship, donor communications, or alumni relations.

Responsibilities

Identify, qualify, and cultivate a portfolio of prospective major gift donors.
Build connections with prospects and discover their values, giving capacity, interests, and passions.
Maintain quality and positive momentum within the assigned portfolio to convert prospects into donors.
Develop context for gift proposals and create and implement strategic gift solicitations.
Steward donors to strengthen and extend relationships.
Meet annual fundraising metrics, including qualifications, cultivations, solicitations, gift commitments, and dollars raised.
Collaborate with colleagues across the institution, including Advancement, the university, and Wexner Medical Center.
Hire, train, develop, and provide daily management to assigned staff, if applicable.
Complete special projects and perform other duties as assigned.
Travel regularly in-state and overnight for work, and occasionally work evenings and weekends.