Senior Director of Development, College of Arts & Sciences

Job title: Senior Director of Development, College of Arts & Sciences
Organization: The Ohio State University
Location: Columbus, Ohio

Job Description

Position Overview
The College of Arts and Sciences is excited to be searching for a new Senior Director of Development.  The individual selected for this position will be embedded primarily in the Arts and Humanities with the opportunity to play a key role in college priorities and cross functional objectives. With the most departments of the three college branches, Arts and Humanities is a diverse, fast paced and dynamic academic area. The role is responsible for discovering, maintaining and expanding relationships with major donors ($100,000 and above) and will have the opportunity to enhance your career as the College seeks to grow to an $80M annual fundraising operation.

This position is a non-managing expert senior fundraiser reporting to a managing Senior Director of Development who will have extensive opportunities to partner with professionals in principal gifts, foundation and corporate relations, alumni relations and events, stewardship, volunteer engagement, communications, and research to ensure their success as a part of a multi-faceted, nimble and well-resourced advancement team.  The ability to travel extensively to actively prospect to build a strong major gift portfolio and to solicit gifts in an assigned geographical territory while maintaining strong campus partnerships will be essential.

Among the College’s fundraising priorities that all development team members have the opportunity to participate in and raise support for are faculty excellence, a vibrant Arts District emerging near 15th Avenue and High Street, a core chemistry facility, graduate student support, undergraduate scholarships providing increased access for academically-qualified students – especially from our Ohio communities –  and experiential learning opportunities for research, internships, and travel abroad.  Helping donors to find where their philanthropy aligns with the university’s and the unit’s priorities provides for a stimulating, creative, and rewarding work environment.

Individuals passionate about the power of a liberal arts and sciences education environment and able to articulate the challenges and opportunities that it faces in the world that we live in today are encouraged to apply.

More about the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences provides a dynamic environment and opportunities to partner with vibrant faculty to prospect, cultivate, secure and steward major donors. The College is the academic heart of the university with 38 departments, 20+ world-class research centers and more than 2,000 faculty and staff members, 20,000 students and over 200,000 of the university’s 550,000 living alumni.

Our environment is complex.  It demands the ability to think strategically, creatively and collaboratively; to thrive in a world focused on continuous improvement; and to prioritize your work in order to accomplish your metric fundraising goals.  In return, you will be inspired daily by innovation and be supported by and contribute to a strong and extensive network of talented Advancement professionals in University Development.

Why Join Ohio State Advancement Now?
With the recent completion of a record-setting But for Ohio State campaign raising over $3 billion, with $220 million raised by the College, this experienced development officer will be on the ground floor of planning the next campaign and in celebrating the university’s 150th birthday.  The time is optimal to join this goal-oriented team as an experienced and motivating leader who enjoys mentoring and leading development officers as well as interacting with deans and faculty to align goals and objectives in conjunction with a new strategic plan for the University, College and Advancement.

Annual performance objectives include, but are not limited to:

  • Minimum of 12 solicitations of $100,000 or above
  • $6M – $10M fundraising activity expected annually once portfolio is mature.
  • Successful management of a portfolio of 50-75 major gift prospects

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education/experience
  • At least six 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)
  • A desire to excel as a disciplined individual fundraiser and a team player.

Desired Qualifications

  • At least six 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 years of professional fundraising experience in higher education
  • An advanced degree
  • Experience working in other advancement departments such as donor relations and stewardship, donor communications and/or alumni relations
  • Experience within a College of Arts and Sciences, specifically within the Arts and Humanities

You Need To Know
Aside from the unparalleled benefits of working for The Ohio State University and working in the diverse, smart, safe, fun and growing city of Columbus, Ohio, this opportunity will provide exceptional rewards that arise from working for a land grant institution where you will truly feel the impact of this role while procuring transformational gifts.  Learn more here: https://hr.osu.edu/careers/.

Closing Statement
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.

How to Apply
To apply, please visit https://osujoblinks.com/90nm.  Also, please visit http://advancement.osu.edu/ to  learn more about the Ohio State University Office of Advancement.

Apply online for job opening number 443887 at https://www.jobsatosu.com/. Questions may be directed to Steph Mizer, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition and Management,  mizer.43@osu.edu.