Senior Director of Regional Development

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: Raise private philanthropic support for Oklahoma State University.

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Under the direction of the Assistant Vice President of Regional Development, the individual in this position will solicit private support from alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations for Oklahoma State University, and will coordinate these initiatives with other OSU Foundation fundraising activities. The Senior Director of Regional Development supports the core business of securing and stewarding private gifts for OSU by expanding major and planned gift work throughout the organization.

This position will focus on the western region of the United States. Based on qualifications and experience, a selected candidate may also hold the title of Associate Director or Director of Regional Development.

Key Areas Of Focus

Major Gift Fundraising-

• Responsible for independently performing identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects with an emphasis on prospects capable of giving in the $100,000 range. Regional Officers will have assigned territories to manage and will meet with identified prospects from any college, any area of interest, on behalf of OSU.
• Collaborate with OSUF development staff to strengthen the donor’s connection to OSU. Use transparent, collaborative communication, and share information, strategy, proposals creation and stewardship.
• Work with campus leaders, including President, Provost, Deans and Faculty members. Collaborate with Alumni Association, Career Services, Enrollment Management, etc.
• Maintain an active schedule of contacts, solicitations and stewardship activities for a body of key prospects, primarily individuals; however, some prospects may also include corporations and foundations.
• Conduct a minimum of 130-160 personal visits with donors, prospective donors, and their advisors to solicit planned gifts and major gifts, manage a portfolio of 75-100* active donors and prospects, and travel locally, regionally, and nationally as appropriate for donor management. *actual portfolio sizes may vary by department.
  
  

Donor Engagement and Stewardships-

• Partner with colleagues in donor relations, corporate and foundation relations, annual giving, planned giving and alumni association programs to engage constituency base in each area.
• Identify and work with Alumni Association and Foundation representatives to execute events in the region that range from small networking lunches to large formal dinners.
• Provide volunteer leadership and management as needed.
  
  

Operational/Administrative-

• Develop and manage individual travel budget annually.
  
  

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-

• 7 years in major gifts or related experience required. Experience in a higher education setting preferred.
• Fundraising and donor management software experience desired.
• Proven sense of humor and ability to have fun
  
  

Organizational Competencies-

• Effective Communication: Listens well and highly persuasive in communications; presents ideas in a manner which actively engages others; takes action to reduce communication barriers, diffuses conflict before it starts and works proactively to create and maintain effective communication across and within the organization; successfully carries out crucial conversations and encourages and coaches others to have crucial conversations to resolve conflict.
• Execution & Initiative: Holds self-accountable for achieving standards of excellence and results for the organization; seeks out understanding of both donor needs and internal processes; continuously pursues improvement of the organization’s performance by enhancing business processes, systems, teams, facilities or equipment; takes charge in a crisis and effectively maneuvers through complex situations and makes tough decisions in a timely manner.
• Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates commitment to employee engagement and leverages programs and tools to build business plans and monitor progress; utilizes employee recognition and reward programs to celebrate individual and team success; looks for opportunities to create cross-functional teams that leverage employee strengths; proactively takes steps to retain colleagues as employees by building trust and developing their skills; builds relationships internally and externally and uses relationships to build consensus and create results; coaches others and is able to message appropriately, maintaining confidentiality; excels in maneuvering in a complex and political environment.
• Problem Solving/Judgment: Understands and reinforces teams’ use of approved policies and procedures to ensure compliance; looks more broadly across multiple lines of business to identify opportunities and pro-actively solve problems and implement solutions; challenges assumptions, bases decisions on the right mixture of data analysis as well as wisdom and experience.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Partners with other colleagues to explore implications of shifting dynamics; communicates in an effort to engage team members and partners in change efforts, explaining the rationale, impacts and benefits of change both vertically and horizontally; involves others in planning and implementing change, keeping them informed of progress; leads with confidence during times of change; drives the implementation and acceptance of change in the workplace, including innovative solutions and alternative approaches for changing circumstances.
• Courage & Conviction: Takes responsibility for team outcomes regardless of success and learns from all results; creates an environment where failure is seen as an opportunity for learning; practices ethical decision making and encourages the same in others; has the courage to hold others accountable for their actions and decisions.
• Donor Centered: Ensures team understands the importance of donor-centered service in accordance with OSUF standards; explains difficult information while focused on the donor’s perspective and level of knowledge.
  
  

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.