Director of Development, OSU Agriculture

VISION: Transform the university through the power of generosity.

MISSION: Unite donor passions with university priorities to elevate the impact of Oklahoma State University.

DEPARTMENT PURPOSE: To secure philanthropic support for Oklahoma State University through meaningful donor engagement and strategic fundraising partnerships with OSU Agriculture.

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Build long-term philanthropic partnerships that advance the mission and strategic initiatives of OSU Agriculture which includes Ferguson College of Agriculture, Oklahoma Agriculture Experiment Station, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

Key Areas Of Focus

Major Gift Fundraising and Portfolio Management – 50%

• Solicit and secure major gifts to OSU Foundation with a focus on gifts of $50,000 with a particular focus on qualifying and disqualifying OSU Agriculture prospects.
• Manage a portfolio of 60 major gift prospects with giving capacity for major gifts to OSU Foundation.
• Conduct a minimum of 150 personal visits with donors, prospective donors, and their advisors to solicit planned gifts and major gifts, creating individual cultivation strategies.
• Complete 15 major gift solicitations annually, closing a minimum of 60% of solicitations at a major gift level of $50,000 .
• Responsible for annual production of $1M for the OSU System.
• Report and track fundraising progress through the use of contact reports, prospect management and other communication tools to ensure efficient and effective communication.
  
  

Campus Engagement – 30%

• Manage relationships with key academic Deans and faculty, understanding and articulating areas of fundraising priorities, focused on OSU Agriculture.
• Facilitate relationships between potential and current donors and the OSU Foundation Development team on behalf of Oklahoma State University and actively engage faculty and administrators in fundraising opportunities.
• Serve as liaison between OSUF and respective units served, articulating fundraising priorities, engagement opportunities and points of collaboration.
  
  

Donor Engagement and Stewardship – 10%

• Develop and engage volunteer groups, advisory boards, donors and colleagues in productive long-term relationships.
• Provide strategic assistance and leadership for OSU Agriculture donor stewardship and key engagement events alongside the Constituents Relations Associate.
• Develop and execute engagement and stewardship plans for specific assigned prospects alongside the Constituent Relations Associate.
  
  

Team and Organizational Contribution- 10%

• Participate as an active member in all top priorities of OSU Foundation.
• Collaborate effectively with other colleges and units to increase donor support.
• Assist in leading in the annual fundraising goal of OSU Agriculture.
  
  

Other duties as assigned.

Job Competencies And Experience

Education & Certifications-

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business, marketing, or related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
  
  

Experience-

• 5 years of experience in the agricultural industry preferred.
• 5 years in fundraising or related experience preferred. Experience in a higher education setting preferred.
• Proven sense of humor and ability to have fun.
  
  

Organizational Competencies-

• Effective Communication: Proactively ensures effective communication throughout the organization; makes relevant contributions to discussions and meetings, giving clear and concise explanations and sticking to the point; chooses language and communication method to suit the audience, reframes and articulates to help others understand; asks questions to check understanding when disseminating information
• Execution & Initiative: Motivates self and others to achieve the best results, displaying energy, drive and a desire to succeed; enlists the support of others as necessary to overcome resistance; supervises cross-functional project team execution on tasks to meet stated objectives; helps other employees’ gain the skills and experience they need to contribute; pro-actively outlines milestones, outcomes and deliverables and effectively communicates them to internal and external stakeholders
• Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills: Develops and nurtures formal & informal relationships with a wide circle of people beyond those involved in current activities, including potential donors, stakeholders, and information links; encourages collaboration among colleagues, departments and entire organization to achieve results; compromises, handles conflicts, seeks common ground, articulates own and others goals; stays focused on positive win-win outcomes; seeks input on how to leverage existing processes to improve the donor experience; translates ideas into action
• Problem Solving/Judgment: Gains understanding of how to apply approved policies and procedures; when and why escalation of issues is needed and to whom and communicates decisions and desired outcomes to others; anticipates the outcome of a single decision; recognizes problems in advance, systematically gathers information to define the root cause, breaks down complex information into component parts, develops alternatives, seeks input from others, selects and recommends the best solution
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Embraces complex or first time problems as opportunities to learn and incorporate new skills; flexes style based on immediate needs; accepts responsibility for implementing change; evaluates and manages resources needed to implement change; personally supports (in words and actions) organizational direction and change agenda
• Courage & Conviction: Takes responsibility for individual & project outcomes regardless of success and learns from all results; encourages candid responses, feedback, new ideas and conflicting opinions
• Donor Centered: Takes time to actively learn about the stated needs by asking questions, exploring how to unite the donors and university’s passions and priorities; anticipates customer needs and proactively makes recommendations
  
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must use a computer terminal and view a computer screen for extended periods of time. Must talk in person or by phone (frequently and sometimes for extended periods) to people on campus and across the country. Must constantly use visual acuity to check printed and designed materials of various types. Must be able to navigate within the OSU Foundation. Typical office working conditions. Ability to travel regionally and nationally.