Director of Development, College of Dentistry

The Ohio State University•Columbus, OH

6d•$78,660•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Development for The Ohio State University College of Dentistry builds relationships with prospective donors to increase philanthropic support for the university, the College of Dentistry, or the Wexner Medical Center. The role actively manages a portfolio of prospective donors for gifts of $100,000 and above, aligning donors’ interests and capacity with giving opportunities. Preparation for solicitations involves using available resources to assess giving capacity, build interest and engagement, and secure gifts. Performance is measured against annual fundraising metrics, including qualifications, cultivations, solicitations, commitments, and dollars raised. The role uses donor databases, reporting and analytics tools, and an allocated budget to support its work. The Director operates with a high degree of independence and reports to the Executive Director of Development. The position involves frequent workweek travel, including approximately one or two overnight trips per month, regular in-state travel, and occasional evening and weekend work. The Director is expected to communicate and interact effectively with constituents, collaborate across Advancement, the university, and the Wexner Medical Center, and exercise diplomacy and discretion. The role may include hiring, training, developing, and managing assigned staff, if applicable. The Ohio State University College of Dentistry is the fourth-largest public dental school in the United States and the largest in Ohio. It has ten divisions representing all major ADA-recognized dental specialties and approximately 600 undergraduate and graduate students. This position is a regular role with a 40-hour schedule on first shift. It is designated as a standby position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field 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, proposal creation and presentation, and closing gifts.
Two years of related experience in marketing, sales, public relations, financial advisement, account management, or a related field, with emphasis on donor cultivation, solicitation, and relationship cultivation with individuals or businesses.
Ability to manage a prospective donor portfolio and pursue philanthropic gifts.
Ability to travel frequently during the workweek, including occasional overnight travel, and to work occasional evenings and weekends.

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 prospective donors and discover their values, capacity, interests, and passions.
Maintain quality and positive momentum within the assigned portfolio to convert prospects to donors.
Develop context for gift proposals and create and implement strategic gift solicitations.
Steward donors to strengthen relationships and support further giving.
Hire, train, develop, and provide daily management to assigned staff, if applicable.
Complete special projects and perform other duties as assigned.
Meet annual performance expectations for qualifications, cultivations, solicitations, commitments, and dollars raised.
Collaborate with colleagues across the institution, including on multi-unit gifts and solicitations where appropriate.
Travel regularly in-state and during the workweek, including approximately one or two overnight trips per month, and occasionally work evenings or weekends.