Director of Development, Athletics

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Job Title:
Director of Development, Athletics

Department:
Advancement Development Constituency Fundraising

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. 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 Senior 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
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

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 $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 (we encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the 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 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 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/.

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.
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:

Ohio State is focused on enhancing the health and safety of our community. Therefore, the university is requiring every student, faculty and staff member to be compliant with Ohio State’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement . By the start of employment, all newly hired employees must receive at least the first dose of a two-dose series or a single dose of a one-dose series COVID-19 vaccination. Individuals who choose a two-dose series vaccination must receive the second dose within 45 days of their start date. Proof of vaccination will be required at time of hire. Candidates may request a medical or religious exemption from the vaccination requirement. Campus employees may also request an exemption for personal reasons. Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, College of Medicine or OSUP Employees are not eligible for personal exemptions. All exemptions are subject to Ohio State’s approval and subject to change, including revocation, due to legal and regulatory requirements.

Location:
Fawcett Center for Tomorrow (0284)

Position Type:
Regular

Scheduled Hours:
40

Shift:
First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check.  A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions .

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.