The Assistant Director of Development will understand the mission, needs and value proposition of the university and the Wexner Center for the Arts, and build relationships with prospective donors to increase philanthropic support. Donors such as alumni and friends will be identified by listening for opportunities to align their interests and passions with opportunities to donate to the university. The position also entails assisting in grant and proposal writing to garner support from corporate funders, foundations, and government entities.

The aim of the role is to actively manage a portfolio of prospective donors to be asked for major gifts ($50,000$100,000). Preparation for the asks will include creative and strategic utilization of resources to determine prospective donors capacity for giving, build their interest, raise their sights, sustain their engagement, and obtain gifts. Success in the position will be guided by annual metrics such as number of monthly meetings, number of gift commitments, and dollars raised. The Assistant Director identifies, writes, and manages corporate and foundation grants, sponsorships, and government grants as needed, while stewarding funders, conveying impact, and working across the center and university to recognize gifts as appropriate. Central resources such as a robust donor database, as well as reporting and analytics tools, exist to help the role achieve goals and manage an allocated budget. 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.

The Assistant Director reports to the Director of Philanthropy and will be tasked with making routine decisions, solve problems, negotiate, and adapt to shifting priorities. Expectations include stellar communications and interactions with constituents; collaboration with colleagues across Advancement and the university; and diplomacy and discretion. This role requires frequent workweek travel including approximately one or two overnight trips per month, regular in-state travel, and occasional evening and weekend work.

Department Overview

Wexner Center mission: The Wexner Center is The Ohio State Universitys multidisciplinary laboratory for contemporary art and culture. Through exhibitions, performances, screenings, educational programs, artist residencies, and publications, the Wex serves as a vital forum where artists test ideas and where diverse audiences engage the art and issues of our time. In its programs, the Wex balances a commitment to experimentation with a critical appreciation of the past. Our work affirms the universitys pursuit of civic participation, freedom of expression, and robust dialogue.

Wexner Center Advancement department mission: The Advancement team purposefully builds trusting relationships to enhance the reputation and build resources for the Wex and its staff. We help artists, programs, and audiences to reach their full potential, leading to a more vibrant, equitable, and socially aware community.

Duties and Responsibilities
95% - Fundraising: Identifies, qualifies, and cultivates a portfolio of prospective major gift donors, and foundation, corporate, and public funders. 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. Writes and manages grants and proposals. Works across departments at the Wex and the university to maximize potential in these areas.
5% - Miscellaneous: Assists with special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelors degree in related field or equivalent combination education/experience.
• Two years of relevant experience including professional fundraising experience (building relationships towards philanthropic end through making calls, conducting face-to-face appointments, creating and presenting proposals, closing gifts, writing grants), and two years of related experience in marketing, sales, public relations, financial advisement, account management or related field with emphasis on donor cultivation, solicitation and relationship cultivation of individuals/businesses.

Desired:

We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage you to apply even if your experience does not align perfectly

• At least four years of professional fundraising experience raising the highest level of philanthropic gifts at an organization (preferably five or six figures and above)
• At least four years of professional fundraising experience in higher education, the arts, and/or the nonprofit realm
• Experience working in other advancement departments such as donor relations and stewardship, donor communications, and/or alumni relations
• Experience working in corporate or foundation giving
• Interest in the arts

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.

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 individuals 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 Wexner Center for the Arts priorities.
• Build relationships with college, unit, and central advancement partners (including prospect development, estate and gift planning, corporate relations, donor relations, foundation relations, advancement communications, and annual giving) as well as with colleagues across the Wex.

First 2-3 months

• Begin to actively fundraise by meeting with existing and prospective donors. You will inherit a cultivated pool of alumni who are ready for gift conversations.
• Implement lead generation (including cold calling) and cultivation strategies, engaging appropriate partners as necessary.
• Write grants and proposals.
• Incorporate best practice solicitation strategies for portfolio assignments.

First 12 months

• Continue building a portfolio of qualified prospects. Start to travel extensively.
• Move the prospects through the donor engagement process.
• Continue working towards meeting team and individual performance goals/metrics by soliciting and closing major gifts.
• Continue writing (and managing) grants and proposals.
• Participate in professional development to continue learning best practices and strategies.

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 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 be added in Workday)

To learn more about the Office of Advancement, please visit advancement.osu.edu.

Career Roadmap

Function: Development and Engagement

Sub-Function: Development

Career Band: Individual Contributor - Specialized

Career Level: Experienced S2

Proposed salary range: $53,800-$71,700