Senior Director of Development, College of Arts and Sciences
About The Position
The Senior Director of Development builds relationships with prospective donors to increase philanthropic support for The Ohio State University and the College of Arts and Sciences. The role actively manages a portfolio of prospective donors for major gifts of $100,000 and above, identifying donor interests and capacity and aligning them with university giving opportunities. The position develops and implements strategic solicitations, sustains donor engagement, and works toward annual fundraising metrics, including meetings, gift commitments, and dollars raised. Central donor database, reporting, and analytics resources, as well as an allocated budget, support this work. Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, the Senior Director operates with a high degree of independence in decision-making, problem-solving, negotiation, and adapting to shifting priorities. The role involves collaboration across Advancement, the university, and Wexner Medical Center, and calls for strong communication, diplomacy, discretion, and positive constituent interactions. It includes frequent workweek travel, approximately one or two overnight trips per month, regular in-state travel, and occasional evening and weekend work. The role also provides leadership, coaching, and mentorship to team members and contributes to Advancement strategies and initiatives. The position is designated as a standby position under the university’s Disaster Preparedness and University State of Emergency Policy. The position is based at Stillman Hall, with a first shift schedule of 40 hours per week. The position budget is up to $124,928.17; the offer depends on internal equity and the candidate’s qualifications.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Six years of relevant experience, including at least four years of professional fundraising experience involving donor relationship building, calls, face-to-face appointments, proposals, and closing gifts.
- Two years of related experience in marketing, sales, public relations, financial advisement, account management, or a related field, emphasizing donor cultivation, solicitation, and relationship development with individuals or businesses.
- At least one year of management experience.
- Ability to travel frequently during the workweek, including regular in-state travel and approximately one or two overnight trips per month; occasional evening and weekend work is required.
- Final candidates must successfully complete a background check; a drug screen or physical may be required after an offer.
Nice To Haves
- At least six years of professional fundraising experience raising an organization’s highest-level philanthropic gifts, preferably five- or six-figure gifts and above.
- At least six 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 donor relationships by understanding donor values, capacity, interests, and passions, and maintain momentum toward converting prospects into donors.
- Develop gift proposal context and create and implement strategic gift solicitations.
- Steward donors to strengthen relationships and support further engagement.
- Lead, coach, and mentor team members to develop fundraising skills.
- Contribute to Advancement team strategies and help drive initiatives through completion.
- Support increased fundraising activity and philanthropic receipts to achieve college goals, and help enhance current programs and create innovative programs.
- Recruit, train, evaluate, motivate, and coach employees from various backgrounds and identities.
- Establish and monitor employee goals, provide performance feedback and coaching, support professional development, and complete annual performance management procedures.
- Manage performance issues, exercise independent and fair judgment, develop procedures, assign and prioritize work, and ensure teams have the resources needed to accomplish their work.
- Complete special projects and other duties as assigned.
- Collaborate with colleagues across the institution on fundraising and gift solicitations.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
