The Assistant Director of Development will focus on building the major gift pipeline through growing and nurturing donors at the leadership annual giving level. Focusing on raising gifts between $1,000 – $24,999 this fundraiser will primarily focus on cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors in and around Ohio. The successful candidate will be responsible for the identification of potential major-gift donors; identify and engage regional development markets in collaboration with development colleagues; initiate first alumni contact for the dean, faculty and other administrators; maintain development travel schedules; coordinate with all development staff and gift stewardship activities with donor relations; work closely with Central Programs and Development staff on strategies for donors related to different gift vehicles; coordinate strategic development events; the development of a major gifts pipeline to build a qualified prospect base for the college/unit and/or projects; serve as liaison between the faculty, staff, students and potential supporters (individuals, corporations and foundations), and the Office of the Vice President for Advancement.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Identify constituents that may provide private support to Ohio University while acting as fundraiser/strategist/advisor for academic unit(s) and/or project(s) and secure leadership annual giving commitments at a level established for said units.
  • Assist in the identification of potential donors
  • Focus on the discovery and verification of alumni
  • Assist in developing a giving pipeline to build a qualified prospect base for Ohio University.
• Plan, implement and coordinate cultivation activities for prospects and donors. Initiate, develop and coordinate delivery of proposals to prospective supporters.
• Work collaboratively with Development staff as needed to verify, cultivate and solicit constituents for major gifts for the university and work with appropriate campus offices to plan implement and oversee stewardship programs.
• Interface with the external relations agents (i.e. Alumni Relations, Development, Deans, and individual unit/project personnel) to coordinate events and activities involving alumni in the pursuit of identifying, cultivating and soliciting major gift prospects.

• University Advancement values in-person collaboration and relationship building and therefore takes a hybrid approach that combines remote and multiple in-office workdays each week. Exact hybrid/remote work expectations, including onboarding plans, will be negotiated at the time of offer.
• The Assistant Director must have the ability and willingness to travel periodically.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least 6 months experience in fundraising, Advancement, sales/marketing, or related (student fundraising experience will be considered)
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered.