Senior Director of Campaign and Signature Initiatives

Oklahoma State University Foundation•Stillwater, OK

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director of Campaign and Signature Initiatives plays a critical role in executing the approved action items at each phase of the comprehensive campaign while overseeing the fundraising strategies for Presidential Signature Initiatives. The Campaign and Signature Initiatives team contributes to the mission by leading the strategic execution of the comprehensive campaign, aligning fundraising strategy, operations, and partnerships to advance institutional priorities and elevate best practices across the OSU Foundation’s development enterprise.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing and communications, nonprofit management, humanities, or related fields required.
Minimum of 7 years in fundraising, development, major gifts, or relevant professional experience required.
Demonstrated leadership experience in the planning, launch, and execution of a comprehensive fundraising campaign, preferably at a large, complex organization preferred.
Proven track record of personally soliciting and closing major and principal gifts.
Experience managing a major/principal gift portfolio.
Strong experience working with senior institutional leadership (e.g., President, Vice Presidents, Deans, or equivalent) as fundraising partners.
Experience developing and executing campaign fundraising strategies, including goals, timelines, benchmarks, and reporting.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to executive leadership and governing or advisory committees.
Experience managing complex projects, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
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.
Requires a valid driver's license.
Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to approximately 20 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a higher education setting preferred.
Fundraising and donor management software experience desired.
Proven sense of humor and ability to have fun!

Responsibilities

Oversee the implementation and execution of various components of the campaign operation including but not limited to, fundraising strategy, events, report creation, marketing development, communications plan, training, etc.
Report into DLT on a regular basis.
Serve on Steering Committee Fundraising Subcommittee, led by VP of Development.
Collaborate with internal department leaders to ensure alignment.
Continual assessment of comprehensive campaign framework to ensure alignment with standard development operations, including setting goals, timelines, and milestones.
Collaborate with OSUF liaisons to university leadership to translate institutions’ strategic priorities into fundraising opportunities.
In coordination with OSUF President, and VP of Development, serve as the primary liaison to the Executive Campaign Board and the National Campaign Committee.
Coordinate with Senior Director of Donor Engagement and Events on ensuring campaign volunteers are informed and equipped to support the fundraising efforts of the campaign.
Run a regular Campaign Steering Committee, attending and facilitating subcommittees as needed.
Work with communications teams from OSU, OSU Foundation, and external partners to coordinate campaign messaging across various mediums, ensuring the campaign brand, theme, and goals are communicated to the larger OSU community.
Speak on behalf of the campaign in both internal and, as needed, external meetings (e.g., National Campaign Committee, Executive Campaign Board, Internal Campaign Leadership) and events while also drafting messaging that reflects campaign priorities for both OSU and OSU Foundation Leadership.
In coordination with MDX, meet with external vendors specifically tied to the campaign (e.g., Simpson Scarborough, Tractorbeam, etc.)
Ensure efficient use of resources and alignment with campaign goals.
Ensure consistent execution of campaign SIs (i.e., presidential priorities) by deploying development teams (e.g., Agile Teams, Constituent Dev Teams, Central Units etc.) and development support teams (e.g., Prospect Research, Events, etc.) as needed.
Ensure communication cadence of SI updates are provided to internal OSU Foundation partners, and when necessary, provided to OSU partners and external stakeholders (i.e., Principal Gift Donors).
Partner with DLT to close the accountability loop and ensure development partners are executing the fundraising strategies for campaign SIs.
In coordination with leading Signature Initiative teams, work with Prospect Research to identify unmanaged principal gift level donors who could be lead donors for Signature Initiatives.
Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, alumni, and other key stakeholders.
Manage 25-30 prospects capable of making gifts of $100K or more.
Other duties as assigned.