Director of Development (WOSU)

Department:

Administration and Planning | WOSU Public Media

Position Overview

The Director of Development will understand the mission, needs and value proposition of WOSU and build relationships with prospective donors to increase philanthropic support. Donors such as members, friends, companies and foundations will be identified by listening for opportunities to align their interests and passions with opportunities to donate to WOSU.

The aim of the role is to actively manage a portfolio of prospective donors to be asked for major gifts. 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 dollars raised, qualifications, number of monthly meetings and number of gift commitments. 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 Director reports to the Chief Development Officer 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, genuine collaboration with colleagues across Advancement, the university and Wexner Medical Center, diplomacy, and discretion. Strong partnerships with WOSU leadership are vital. This role does require occasional evening and weekend work and offers a flexible schedule including remote work as agreed upon with the Chief Development Officer.

All members of Advancement are part of creating an inclusive culture that inspires and 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.

Department Overview

For a century, WOSU Public Media has engaged, informed, and inspired the diverse community of Central Ohio. WOSU is a public service media organization that distinguishes itself through a commitment to collaboration, community engagement and distinctive noncommercial mission-driven programming. WOSU reaches nearly 2 million people across 20 counties throughout the state of Ohio.

As one of the first educational radio stations on the air across America in 1922, WOSU was developed to bolster the commitment of The Ohio State University’s land-grant mission to educate all Ohioans. To honor that commitment and meet the evolving needs of the citizenry, WOSU has grown over the years to include multiple broadcast and digital distribution platforms focused on distinctive areas of content: arts, culture, history, lifelong learning, and quality journalism. Our current platforms include:

WOSU TV – with four unique channels of public television service
89.7 NPR News – Ohio’s most listened to NPR News station
Classical 101 – the only all-day classical music station in Central Ohio and with a network of six stations
WOSU Digital – extensive online and mobile programming, podcasts, and blogs
WOSU Classroom – programming and training for educators, parents, and children
Now, in 2022, WOSU looks to a bright new future. Under the leadership of a new general manager WOSU will open a brand new, state-of-the-art headquarters as part of Ohio State’s new University Square. It’s an exciting time to be part of the WOSU Development team – moving public media into the next century of service in Central Ohio.

Duties and Responsibilities

95% – 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.

·       Hires, trains and develops, and provides daily management to assigned staff (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/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.

Performance Objectives

First month

• Become familiar with the overall structure, resources, and processes of university development.
• Develop an understanding of WOSU priorities for Ohio State.
• Build relationships with college, unit, and central advancement partners including prospect development, estate and gift planning, corporate relations, donor relations, foundation relations, development communications, and annual giving.

First 2-3 months

• Begin to actively fundraise by meeting with existing and prospective donors. You will inherit a cultivated pool of alumni who are ready for gift conversations.
• Implement lead generation (including cold calling) and cultivation strategies, engaging appropriate partners as necessary.
• Incorporate best practice solicitation strategies for portfolio assignments.

First 12 months

• Continue building a portfolio of qualified prospects.
• Move the prospects through the donor engagement process.
• Continue working towards meeting team and individual performance goals/metrics by soliciting and closing major gifts.
• Participate in professional development to continue learning best practices and strategies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent combination education/experience.
• Four years of relevant experience with at least two 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 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.

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 three years of professional fundraising experience raising the highest level of philanthropic gifts at an organization (preferably five or six figures and above)
• At least three 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.

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 will provide exceptional rewards that arise from working for an institution doing worldwide life-changing teaching and research. 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.

Salary range: $73,100 – $97,500

For More Information and Application, Visit: https://osujoblinks.com/oqsg

The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, protected veteran status, or any other basis under the law. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit the Equal Employment Identification form.