The Manager of Constituent Experiences Strategy will be responsible for developing and executing fundraising multi-channel marketing strategies for Ohio State’s many constituents, including alumni, grateful patients, grateful clients, students, employees, parents, and community members. Using market data- and industry trend-informed decision making, this position and its team members (4) will develop and execute marketing and marketing strategy focusing on fundraising initiatives to inspire a pipeline of loyal donors.

The Manager of Constituent Experiences Strategy will carry a small portfolio of project work while also providing oversight and leadership to team members who each manage their own projects and partnerships. Both this position and its team will work closely with partners on the Constituent Experiences team to ensure successful production of various marketing and marketing strategy initiatives that result in multi-channel fundraising campaigns, and philanthropic opportunities. This position and its team will also collaborate with and support other Alumni Association, advancement colleagues and campus partners to achieve unit and university goals and ensure strategic alignment across the organization. The position will lead a team of cross-functional generalists that are empowered to develop fundraising marketing strategies. They will work closely in executing fundraising strategies for traditional programs such as annual giving, engagement, alumni relations, and many new opportunities.

The Manager of Constituent Experiences Strategy reports to the Associate Director of Constituent Experiences Strategy and is responsible for making recommendations and decisions with a high degree of independence, using strong decision-making capabilities, judgment, strategic thought, consistency, discretion, and financial management in accomplishing objectives. The position will hold team members accountable for establishing project budgets, meeting revenue goals, and managing expenditures. As a leader in the organization, the Manager will be responsible for facilitating developmental opportunities for staff members through coaching, education and by exhibiting leadership behaviors. This position must be adaptable to shifting priorities and demands in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. This position may include the occasional work week travel as well as evening and weekend work.  This position offers a flexible schedule including remote work as agreed upon with the leader(s) the role supports.

Excellent written and verbal skills, strong operational and organizational skills, exceptional interpersonal and managerial skills, and the ability to interact with diverse internal and external constituents at all levels are a must. Exceptional customer service skills are a must have, including the ability to think critically and independently solving complex problems. All of this in an environment that demands discretion and diplomacy. 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

The Ohio State Alumni Association’s mission: Through time and change, we enrich firm friendships across our alumni and Buckeye communities to advance the university. With a vision of being the heart of the alumni community inspiring and cultivating engaged citizens throughout their Buckeye journeys, our organizational purpose is to build a community of lifelong champions. We represent the alumni association of the future and believe in elevating the alumni and Buckeye community experience. As an association, we are a shared service across Advancement as the experts in engagement and the constituent journey. We are one team aligning engagement and philanthropy, responsible for creating advocates on behalf of Ohio State. The organization is supported by 60+ employees, a Board of Directors, and Alumni Advisory Council.

Duties and Responsibilities

60% – Recruits, trains, evaluates, motivates, and coaches employees of various backgrounds and identities; Builds a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging amongst team members; Collaborates with Alumni Association and Advancement colleagues, as well as other campus partners to include the identification of fundraising opportunities with university constituents to help inform marketing strategies; Responsible for developing and executing marketing plans and strategies to inform and support fundraising multi-channel strategies for university constituents; Develop and execute fundraising strategy marketing initiatives; Debriefs on each project via ROI and ROR analysis; Helps create and apply new fundraising strategy concepts and solutions.

20% – Develops the fundraising marketing strategies and acts as decision maker for a diverse portfolio of independently-owned, complex fundraising initiatives including acquisition, annual giving, engagement, and cultivation campaigns and methods; Develops and implements use of multi-channel methods to support large-scale university wide fundraising initiatives with heavy emphasis on digital marketing; Develops and implements desired outcomes and facilitates the direction of each method toward said outcomes; Applies a strong data-driven approach to set metrics, allocate resources, and evaluate results; Oversees and approves quotes, bills, and budgets. Maintain exceptional customer service skills; Applies critical thinking skills and is responsible for independently solving complex problems.

10% – Partners with OSUAA Connections and Advocacy teams to ensure continuity in the customer journey and alignment of OSUAA offerings.

10% – Contributes to advancement by fostering and exhibiting teamwork; participates on internal committees/workgroups as appropriate; performs other duties as assigned.

Performance Objectives

First month

• Develop an understanding of the structure, mission, and values of Ohio State and the Alumni Association
• Build relationships with key partners across advancement and the university
• Get to know team members and assess resources, needs and opportunities
• Become familiar with advancement’s continuum model including early engagement audiences

First 2-3 months

• Build team to strengthen support toward university and unit goals
• Assess existing strategies and make recommendations for change

First 12 months

• Continue to learn the constituent base, build and execute plans

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Three (3) years of relevant experience in fundraising and/or related program management experience.
• Experience leading annual giving campaigns and managing a team.
• Must be able to obtain a passport and travel internationally as a tour host.

Desired Qualifications (we encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the desired qualifications)

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Five (5) years of relevant experience.
• Experience building and implementing donor and engagement acquisition strategies.
• Experience working in healthcare philanthropy with an understanding of grateful patient fundraising.
• Experience with career management.
• Experience with constituent travel programs.
• Experience with a CRM such as a Blackbaud database.
• Proficiency in Excel and project management.
• Experience working in higher education.

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 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/.

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.