Director of Development, College of Medicine

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

2d

About The Position

The Director of Development, College of Medicine, builds relationships with prospective donors to increase philanthropic support for The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, and the university. The role identifies alumni, friends, and grateful patients whose interests and passions may align with giving opportunities, and actively manages a portfolio of prospective major-gift donors. The Director uses strategic resources to assess donor capacity, deepen interest and engagement, prepare gift proposals, solicit gifts, and steward donors. Performance is guided by annual metrics, including donor meetings, gift commitments, and dollars raised, with support from donor databases, reporting and analytics tools, and an allocated budget.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development in the College of Medicine, the Director works with a high degree of independence in decision-making, problem-solving, negotiation, and adapting to shifting priorities. The role calls for strong communication, collaboration across Advancement, the university, and Wexner Medical Center, diplomacy, and discretion. It requires 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 is a standby role under the university’s Disaster Preparedness and University State of Emergency Policy.

The position also hires, trains, develops, and manages assigned staff when applicable, and completes special projects and other assigned duties. The Office of External Affairs emphasizes kindness, respect, integrity, and welcoming colleagues’ ideas and perspectives.

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, 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.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, collaboration, diplomacy, and discretion.
• Ability to work independently, make decisions, solve problems, negotiate, and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Ability to travel frequently during the workweek, including regular in-state travel and approximately one or two overnight trips per month, and to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

• At least four years of professional fundraising experience raising the highest level of philanthropic gifts at an organization, 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 relationships and discover prospective donors’ values, capacity, interests, and passions.
• Maintain quality and positive momentum in the assigned portfolio to convert prospects into donors.
• Develop context for gift proposals and create and implement strategic gift solicitations.
• Steward donors to strengthen relationships and encourage further engagement.
• Hire, train, develop, and provide daily management to assigned staff, if applicable.
• Complete special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the institution on fundraising efforts and gift solicitations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior