Summary

The Ohio State University’s Office of Advancement seeks a collaborative, mission-driven fundraiser to serve as a major gift officer for student athlete support at the university. Assistant 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 $50,000 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 Assistant Director of Development reports to the Associate Athletic Director, Annual Giving & Buckeye Club 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

Nationally recognized as the most comprehensive college athletics programs, Ohio State boasts over 1,000 student athletes in 36 intercollegiate sports. Under the leadership and direction of Gene Smith, the whole of our athletics success starts with success of the individual parts. This fundraising role exists to help ensure that our programs and facilities are of championship caliber.

“I am passionate about college athletics as it provides access to higher education to young women and men with God-given academic and athletic talents, many of whom are first generation. There is perhaps no greater training ground than college athletics for success in life.”

– Gene Smith, Senior Vice President & Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director

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

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.

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 athletics 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.

Implement lead generation 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 of $50,000 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 one year of professional fundraising experience raising the highest level of philanthropic gifts at an organization (preferably five or six figures and above)

At least one year 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

Apply here: https://osujoblinks.com/afhx

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 bases under the law. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit the Equal Employment Identification form.