Assistant Director of Development- Athletics

Summary  

The Assistant Director of Development builds philanthropic support for The Ohio State University and the Department of Athletics by establishing and managing relationships with donors, alumni, friends, volunteers, and/or grateful patients. The position manages an assigned portfolio of prospective donors and is responsible for donor discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, documentation, and follow-up activity to meet established fundraising goals. The Assistant Director solicits gifts of up to $99,000 and helps build a pipeline of prospective major gift donors by connecting donor interests and passions with the priorities and opportunities of the Department of Athletics. 

The role requires frequent travel and occasional evening and weekend work. The position uses reporting and analysis tools to assess portfolio activity, fundraising effectiveness, and prospect-specific cultivation and solicitation strategies, and is measured against established activity and revenue metrics, including meetings, solicitations, commitments, and dollars raised. 

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Assistant Director of Development independently manages day-to-day portfolio activity, donor outreach, travel planning, solicitation preparation, and follow-up within established Advancement goals, performance metrics, procedures, and manager guidance. The role requires confidentiality, sound judgment, organization, analytical ability, and the ability to use tact, diplomacy, and discretion in donor and partner interactions. Assistant Directors are expected to maintain collaborative relationships with colleagues across Advancement, the university, and the Wexner Medical Center to communicate donor interests, qualification outcomes, visit results, solicitation progress and stewardship needs. Successful candidates will be excellent verbal and written communicators who have the ability to adapt to shifting priorities and demands.  

All members of External Affairs are part of creating a culture that inspires an exceptionally multifaceted and talented team and are expected to exhibit The Ohio State University’s Shared Values. The Office of External Affairs is committed to acting with kindness, respect, and integrity at all times and welcoming our colleagues’ ideas, voices, and perspectives, acknowledging that we are better together. 

Department Overview 

Nationally recognized as the most comprehensive college athletics program, the Ohio State Department of Athletics boasts over 1,000 student-athletes in 36 intercollegiate sports. 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. Ohio State Athletics Development serves to provide an unparalleled experience for our current, former and future student-athletes by embracing and engaging a community of passionate supporters, establishing transformative commitments, and illustrating impact to encourage sustained philanthropy. 

Responsibilities 

90%  

Manages an assigned portfolio of prospective donors to meet established qualification, meeting, solicitation, commitment, and revenue goals. Proactively identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards donors, alumni, friends, volunteers, and/or grateful patients with the capacity to support the Department of Athletics. Develops and executes prospect-specific cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that connect donor interests with college or unit priorities. Prepares and presents gift proposals, maintains accurate donor and prospect documentation, and communicates donor interests, visit outcomes, solicitation progress, and stewardship needs to appropriate colleagues. Uses donor information and reporting and analysis tools to monitor portfolio activity, identify opportunities, assess fundraising effectiveness, and adjust engagement strategies within established parameters. 

5%  

Maximizes opportunities to steward donors to further enhance relationships. Attends college and/or university events to engage with prospects and donors. 

5%  

Contributes to Advancement by fostering teamwork, participating on internal committees or workgroups as appropriate, applying established Advancement practices and university procedures, and performing 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 throughout the University, Medical Center and within the Department of Athletics. Collaboration efforts can include but are not limited to: working with another academic unit or the Medical Center to collaborate on a gift from a donor, collaborating internally with the research office, faculty members and leadership to learn and discuss priorities. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education/experience 

• At least two (2) 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’re committed to building a team that reflects a variety of skills and experiences and encourage you to apply even if your experience does not align perfectly) 

• Four (4) years of professional fundraising experience raising the highest level of philanthropic gifts at an organization (preferably five or six figures and above) 

• Four (4) 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 

• Familiarity with the development function at Ohio State and knowledge of Ohio State’s donor database (TAS) 

The Office of External Affairs is committed to providing tools and resources for you to learn our business, proprietary databases, university-specific processes, and advancement practices. 

You Need to Know 

Aside from the unparalleled benefits of working for The Ohio State University and working in the vibrant, 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.

The budget for this position is up to $ 59,959.35. The offer for this position will be based on internal equity and the candidate's qualifications.

Location:

Fawcett Center for Tomorrow

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.