The Director is responsible for devising and executing a comprehensive major gift fundraising plan to maximize charitable support for the University and the designated college to which s/he is assigned through the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major gift prospects.

Principle Responsibilities:

The Director of Development will

• be an ambitious and dynamic development professional who is dedicated to building a strong major gift and philanthropic culture throughout his/her designated college;
• have demonstrated success in closing major gifts; experience with campaign planning and implementation, and identifying, attracting, and adding new donors;
• partner with the Vice President and Dean of the assigned college, including the establishment and implementation of the major gifts fundraising strategies, plans, and goals;
• support, assist, and partner with other development staff and institutional leaders;
• demonstrate effective strategic skills to connect and engage alumni, faculty, donors, and local and national philanthropists in major gift opportunities;
• be creative, innovative, and have a strong background in fundraising while working collaboratively; and
• have a passion for the impact that ONU can have on students, alumni, and the community.
  Key Job Functions
• maintain an active portfolio of capable prospects who support the designated college’s and University’s mission;
• meet or exceed specific goals for donor contacts during the year;
• work with the Dean, senior faculty, and other University officials on appropriate cultivation, solicitation and stewardship visits; and
• lead special and/or specific projects or major gifts functions, as assigned, and provide support / mentoring as appropriate to newer development officers.

Required Skills:

The ideal candidate will possess a strong knowledge of fundraising, particularly advancement in a higher education setting and planned giving vehicles, as well as strong behavioral competencies and attributes described below.
Functional/Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated success in closing major gifts, preferably some in 6-figures and above; experience with campaign planning and implementation
• Must possess a broad institutional perspective and have excellent management and planning skills, as well as a proactive style of leadership that encourages teamwork and interaction
• Demonstrated success in developing proposals that combine gifts for the assigned unit(s) and University-wide special projects
• Expertise and demonstrated success in major gift strategies and practices in higher education including the responsibility to ensure compliance with governmental and University policies and regulations
• Develop and promote donor acquisition and renewal programs
• Identify and cultivate potential Lehr Society donors in conjunction with the Office of University Advancement
• Plan and implement constituent engagement strategies that promote a comprehensive understanding of the college’s mission, goals and priorities
• Work closely with Alumni Relations and volunteer leadership to develop relationships with alumni and donors
• Collaborate with others on fundraising and alumni engagement activities
• Participate in University-wide and college events to further donor engagement activities
• Technology skills including computer literacy, social media, word processing, spreadsheets, and database software programs

Behavioral Competencies and Attributes

• A high level of energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to the mission and goals of the institution
• High-level and effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Ability to accomplish tasks in collaboration with and through others in a higher education organization
• Very strong interpersonal skills with the ability to be persuasive with a variety of constituents
• Ability to organize fundraising activities effectively, prioritize prospects, and participate in high-level gift discussions
• Strong leadership and management acumen
• Experience working as a part of a team
• Very effective communication skills (including verbal, written, presentation, and listening skills)
• Ability to establish priorities, goals, and timelines and achieve quantifiable outcomes
• Passion for the work; ability to lead with vision
• Orientation toward action and results
• Ethics and integrity in all activities internal and external to the University

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field
• Significant experience (three+ years) in fundraising related functions and in successful major gifts work, meeting or exceeding expectations consistently over multiple years
• Experience in engaging constituencies and working with volunteers
• Record of developing and implementing effective fundraising plans and achieving metric-driven goals
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• A valid driver’s license and safe driving record

Preferred Qualifications:

• Successful experience at a like-sized higher education institution or complex nonprofit organization
• Experience in working with RENXT databases

ONU is an equal employment opportunity employer. Accordingly, no person shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, transgender status, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all areas of employment including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, separation and other terms, condition and privileges of employment.