Senior Director of Philanthropy

Responsibilities

• Affirm Otterbein's image and visibility by communicating a strong and consistent message to key constituencies.
• Strengthen internal and external partnerships to benefit Otterbein and participate in campaign and giving initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Vice President to contribute to institutional fundraising strategy and priority-setting.
• Represent the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement and serve as a key leader within the division.
• Manage a portfolio of 75-100 principal and major gift prospects through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Solicit major gifts of $50,000 or more, with an emphasis on six- and seven-figure gifts to support endowment, capital, or program needs.
• Proactively identify opportunities to generate new proposals based on donor interests and institutional priorities.
• Write proposals for assigned prospects and assist with the preparation of other proposals.
• Monitor and report on donor engagement activity and fundraising progress.
• Work closely with campus leaders to develop donor strategies focused on securing major and principal gifts.
• Participate in strategy sessions, prospect identification, qualification, and rating processes.
• Assess and manage the major gift prospect pool and tracking procedures.
• Assist in directing the planned giving program, including promotion of planned giving opportunities.
• Develop deep knowledge of the University's mission, academic programs, and fundraising priorities to effectively engage donors.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to colleagues across the philanthropy division related to fundraising best practices.
• Support supervision and development of the Philanthropic Associate in partnership with the Executive Director.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture with clear goals and accountability measures.
• Support relationships with the Board of Trustees and key individual donors, including providing input on board service.
• Travel to meet with prospects and donors, including coordinating campus visits and engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate on preparation of proposals, talking points, briefings, and donor stewardship materials.
• Document all substantive donor interactions in the database.
• Lead and manage giving opportunities associated with special initiatives such as reunion classes, recognition societies, leadership annual giving, and peer-to-peer volunteer programs.
• Build effective working relationships with departments across campus including Admissions/Enrollment, Academic Affairs, MBA Program, STEAM Innovation Center, Business Office, and Student Affairs.
• Engage faculty, senior leaders, and volunteers in fundraising efforts and donor engagement.
• Staff senior leaders, including the president, provost, and deans, in their interactions with major and principal gift donors.
• Offer creative solutions for complex solicitations, including deferred giving strategies.
• Contribute to development of a comprehensive, campus-wide donor relations plan and cultivation strategies.
• Ensure accurate documentation of donor engagement and maintain strong data practices.
• Must project a positive image and contribute to a collaborative, engaging work environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Philanthropy & Planned Giving.
• Provide mentorship and leadership to assigned professional and administrative staff across functional areas.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in development with a proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gifts.
• Experience engaging individuals to secure significant financial commitments.
• Additional experience in volunteer management and comprehensive donor relations preferred.