Director of Development, Fisher College of Business
Summary
The Ohio State University’s Office of Advancement seeks a collaborative, mission-driven fundraiser to serve as a major gift officer for Fisher College of Business at the university. Directors of Development at Ohio State understand the mission, needs and value proposition of the university and build relationships with prospective donors to increase philanthropic support. Donors such as alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations are identified by listening for opportunities to align their interests and passions with the department of athletics and university’s goals.
This role actively manages a portfolio of prospective donors to be asked for gifts of $100,000 and above. Preparation for the “ask” includes 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 this position will be guided by annual metrics such as number of monthly meetings, number of gift commitments, and dollars raised. Specific metrics are determined with experience level, unit size, prospect portfolio, and past performance in mind. Central resources such as a robust donor database, a strong prospect management team, and reporting and analytics tools exist to help achieve goals.
The Director of Development reports to the Executive Director of Development and operates with a high degree of independence to make decisions, solve problems, negotiate, and adapt to shifting priorities. This role will raise funds to support a geographic territory and a number of specific sports. Expectations include stellar communications and interactions with constituents, genuine collaboration with colleagues across advancement, the university and the Wexner Medical Center, diplomacy, and discretion. Overnight travel and occasional evening and weekend work are a part of this position.
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.
Department Overview
As a premiere professional college at Ohio State, Fisher attracts a diverse student body and has an alumni community of nearly 90,000. The Director of Development will help meet the college’s annual fundraising goal as well as reach the college’s goal of $200 million as part of the university’s Time and Change fundraising campaign. Fisher is the 6th largest fundraising unit at Ohio State.
Fisher College of Business is located at the northern entrance of Ohio State’s main campus. The 370,000 square-foot complex is the largest multi-building project ever undertaken by the university and one of the few fully integrated management education campuses in the nation. Our beautiful setting is home to an undergraduate business education program ranked 15th overall amongst public and private universities. Our research expenditures and publications rank in the top 20 and we are recognized nationally for our diversity and inclusion programs. We are committed to creating an equitable learning environment that inspires and engages a diverse student body. Our inclusive community seeks faculty and staff from all genders, races, ethnicities, nationalities, faiths, sexual orientations, gender identities, physical abilities, and socioeconomic circumstances.
At Fisher College of Business, we believe business leadership requires a distinct and nuanced set of skills for a business world that is changing at the fastest pace ever seen. Central themes of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, global awareness, and principled leadership—are essential to what distinguishes Fisher graduates when they enter the work force. These themes provide a consistent backdrop for our curriculum and programs and guide our thought leaders. These ideas are essential for a singularly engaging and impactful experience on our campus, and for success beyond it. Because at Fisher, we do not produce business graduates. We produce business leaders.
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. Serves as a development liaison to numerous areas of the college.
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
1.Become familiar with the overall structure, resources, and processes of university development.
2. Develop an understanding of business college priorities for Ohio State.
3. 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
1. Begin to actively fundraise by meeting with existing and prospective donors.
2. Implement lead generation and cultivation strategies, engaging appropriate partners as necessary.
3. Incorporate best practice solicitation strategies for portfolio assignments.
First 12 months
1. Continue building a portfolio of qualified prospects.
2. Move the prospects through the donor engagement process.
3. Continue working towards meeting team and individual performance goals/metrics by soliciting and closing major gifts of $100,000 and above.
Required Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education/experience
· At least three years of professional fundraising experience or professional transferable experience (i.e., managing relationships with required measurable output, making calls, conducting face-to-face appointments, creating and presenting proposals, and other fundamental elements of client relationship or sales-related activities)
Desired Qualifications:
· 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 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
· Hear and see our colleagues’ ideas, voices, and perspectives, acknowledging that we are better together
In accordance with the Disaster Preparedness and University State of Emergency Policy 6.17 this position has been designated as a standby position.
Interested candidates can apply by visiting https://osujoblinks.com/393b
The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.





