Senior Director of Development (Office of Diversity & Inclusion)

Senior Director of Development (Office of Diversity & Inclusion)
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH 43210

Position Overview
The Senior Director of Development will understand the mission, needs and value proposition of the university and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and build relationships with prospective donors to increase philanthropic support. Donors such as alumni, friends, and/or grateful patients will be identified by listening for opportunities to align their interests and passions with opportunities to donate to the University and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The aim of the role is to actively manage a portfolio of prospective donors to be asked for major gifts of $100,000 and above. Preparation for the “ask” will include creative and strategic utilization of resources to determine the prospective donor’s capacity for giving, build their interest, raise their sights, sustain their engagement and obtain a gift. Success in the position will be guided by annual metrics such as number of monthly meetings, number of gift commitments, and dollars raised. Central resources such as a robust donor database and reporting and analytics tools exist to help the role achieve goals and manage an allocated budget.

The Senior Director reports to the Senior Director of Development and operates with a high degree of independence to make decisions, solve problems, negotiate, and adapt to shifting priorities. Expectations include stellar communications and interactions with constituents, collaboration with colleagues across Advancement and the university, and Wexner Medical Center with diplomacy and discretion. This role requires frequent workweek travel including approximately one or two overnight trips per month, regular in-state travel and occasional evening and weekend work.

All members of Advancement are part of creating an inclusive culture that inspires an exceptionally diverse and talented team and are measured on their adherence to the following core competencies:  leadership, continuous improvement, teamwork and collaboration, and communication/interpersonal effectiveness.  All members are also expected to exhibit The Ohio State University’s Shared Values which include Excellence and Impact, Diversity and Innovation, Inclusion and Equity, Care and Compassion, and Integrity and Respect.

Performance Objectives
First 1-3 months

• Become familiar with the overall structure, resources, and processes of university, Scholarship and Student Support and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
• Build relationships with team, direct reports, college, unit, and central advancement partners including prospect development, estate and gift planning, corporate relations, donor relations, foundation relations, development communications, and annual giving.
• Partner with other fundraisers across the unit to experience prospect visits.
• Work toward actively fundraising with initial visits to prospects or existing donors toward the end of this phase.

First 3-6 months

• Implement lead generation and cultivation strategies, engaging appropriate partners as necessary.
• Incorporate best practice solicitation strategies for portfolio assignments and find resources for necessary further training (mentor, professional conferences, etc.).
• Continue to deepen OSU and  Office of Diversity and Inclusion Advancement knowledge, building relationships with faculty and internal constituents.
• Provide leadership to team of direct reports through coaching and mentoring to further develop their fundraising skills.

First 6-12 months

• Continue building a portfolio of qualified prospects.
• Move the prospects through the donor engagement process, collaborating with advancement teams and others as necessary.
• Continue working towards meeting team and individual performance goals/metrics by soliciting and closing major gifts.
• Guide development team in their efforts to exceed unit fundraising goals.
• Contribute to advancement team strategies and provide direct input in development of unit and team goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

75% – Fundraising
Identifies, qualifies, and cultivates a portfolio of prospective major gift donors. Pursues connections and discovers donor values, capacity, interests and passions. Ensures quality and positive momentum within assigned portfolio to convert prospects to donors. Builds context for gift proposals, develops and implements strategic gift solicitations. Maximizes opportunities to steward donors to further enhance relationships.

20% – Management
Provides management of team members through leadership, coaching and mentorship to develop fundraising skills.  Contributes to Advancement team strategies and helps drive initiatives through completion. Provides support for the continued trajectory of increase in new fundraising activity and philanthropic receipts to achieve college goals while driving enhancement of current and creation of new innovative programs.

Recruits, trains, evaluates, motivates, and coaches employees of various backgrounds and identities; establishes and monitors goals, provides performance feedback and coaching, and supports professional development; completes annual performance management procedures; manages performance issues; is responsible for using independent, consistent and fair judgement in exercising authority; develops procedures, assigns and prioritizes work, and ensures that the resources needed to accomplish work are provided; builds a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging amongst team members (if applicable).

5% – Miscellaneous

Completes special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Metrics and Collaboration
The annual performance of all fundraisers at Ohio State is measured by the number of qualifications, cultivations, solicitations and commitments and dollars raised the individual accrues over each fiscal year.  Each fundraiser may have different expectations regarding these figures based upon, but not limited to, their experience level, unit size, prospect portfolio, past performance, etc.  Goal setting is done with the individual’s manager prior to each fiscal year to assure transparency, consistency and alignment.

All fundraisers at Ohio State are encouraged and expected to collaborate with their colleagues across the institution and can be counted as ‘Secondary’ on a gift in the solicitation, commitment and dollars raised phases of the development cycle.  A secondary fundraiser can be considered when a team is working on a multi-unit gift, the fundraiser is a subject matter expert in an area critical to the solicitation or a fundraiser has a pre-existing, meaningful relationship with the donor and their participation helps move the gift forward.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education/experience.
• Six (6) years of relevant experience with at least four (4) years of professional fundraising experience (building relationships towards philanthropic end through making calls, conducting face-to-face appointments, creating and presenting proposals, closing gifts) and two (2) years of related experience in marketing, sales, public relations, financial advisement, account management or related field with emphasis on donor cultivation, solicitation and relationship cultivation of individuals/businesses.
• At least three (3) years of management experience.

Desired Qualifications (We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage you to apply even if your experience does not align perfectly)

• At least six (6) years of professional fundraising experience raising the highest level of philanthropic gifts at an organization (preferably five or six figures and above).
• At least six (6) years of professional fundraising experience in higher education or a hospital/health care environment.
• Experience working in other advancement departments such as donor relations and stewardship, donor communications and/or alumni relations.
• The Office of Advancement is committed to providing tools and resources for you to learn our business, proprietary databases, university-specific processes, and advancement practices.

Learn More – Apply Today: https://osujoblinks.com/lqi6

Commitment to Inclusion
The Office of Advancement is committed to active allyship in addressing and dismantling the inequities created by systemic racism and implicit, long-held bias. We pledge to act with kindness, respect, and integrity at all times, trust ourselves and our colleagues and empower their whole identities, and hear and see our colleagues’ ideas, voices, and perspectives, acknowledging that we are better together.

You Need to Know
Aside from the unparalleled benefits of working for The Ohio State University and working in the diverse, smart, enjoyable, and growing city of Columbus, Ohio, this opportunity provides exceptional rewards that arise from working for an institution doing worldwide life-changing research and outreach. Learn more here:  https://hr.osu.edu/careers/.

In accordance with the Disaster Preparedness and University State of Emergency Policy 6.17 this position has been designated as a standby position.

Additional Information:
To learn more about the Office of Advancement, please visit advancement.osu.edu.

The budget for this position is up to $105,315. The offer for this position will fall be based on internal equity and candidate’s qualifications.