Assistant Vice President 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: Provide strategic direction, planning, and execution of the fundraising efforts of the Regional Development team in efforts raise philanthropic support in an efficient manner across the country.

KEY AREAS OF FOCUS:

Strategic Direction and Oversight of OSUF Regional Fundraising-

• Lead a team of development professionals focused on advancing the fundraising priorities for Oklahoma State University on a regional basis
• Develop annual fundraising goals and objectives in consultation with Foundation leadership, the campus president, and other academic leaders. Benchmark fundraising results with established goals and advise Foundation and University leadership towards ongoing progress
• Develop and manage operational budgets and business plans for the Regional Team
• Provide strategic direction and oversight of additional fundraising unit/programs and priority projects, as directed by Development Leadership

Donor Engagement and Stewardship-

• Collaborate with internal and campus partners to build and sustain comprehensive prospect engagement systems in efforts to build a consistent donor pipeline throughout the country
• Partner with internal colleagues in Constituent Units, Donor Relations, Corporate and Foundation Relations, and Estate and Planned Giving departments to engage donors and prospects through a variety of constituent specific meetings and events throughout the country
• Collaborate with OSU Alumni Association, OSU Athletics and other campus leaders to plan and execute regional events designed to grow and sustain a prospective donor pipeline
• Provide volunteer leadership and management as needed.

Personal Regional Management and Fundraising-

• Responsible for performing identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship for prospects including corporations, foundations, and individuals in the assigned region. Significant travel to region will be required on a monthly basis.
• Collaborate with OSUF development staff and campus leaders to strengthen donor connections to OSU. Use transparent communication and collaborative strategies to manage a portfolio of 50 -75 active donors and prospects.
• Conduct a minimum of 100 personal visits with donors, prospective donors, and their advisors in the effort to solicit 20 , and fund 12 major gifts of $50k or more for an annual production goal of $3M (fundraising metrics will vary by regional assignment)

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-

• 10 years of major gifts or related experience required. Experience in a higher education setting preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience managing fundraising projects, programs, and budgets.
• Proven leadership and communication skills Experience managing remote individuals and teams is preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in prospecting and territory management required.
• Experience managing teams of territory focused development officers or sales professionals is preferred
• Donor/client/customer management software experience required.

Organizational Competencies-

• Effective Communication: Able to present effectively to large groups of individuals; is clear, articulate and direct in sharing and providing feedback; develops communication plans to ensure effective transparency and involvement throughout the organization; able to present complex issues appropriately for a target audience; maintains communication with all staff and stakeholders
• Execution & Initiative: Drives a high performance culture, having the ability to differentiate performance and demonstrate managerial courage; maintains focus on organizational priorities and sets challenging performance goals for units; invest personal energy and time in building buy-in among key influencers in advance of critical decisions; seeks to ensure that strategic initiatives are effectively executed and communicated to relevant audiences within the organization; encourages an environment in which results surpass activity and teamwork surpasses results; able to remain focused on only mission-related initiatives
• Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills: Builds cohesive teams of people across OSUF based on strong personal trust and relationships; motivates the organization to increase employee engagement levels; constantly assesses and builds team morale; seeks out relationships with experts as a means of obtaining information about best practices and skills vital to departmental and organizational success; maximizes personal networks in different parts of the organization, campus & community partners, and effectively uses contacts to achieve unit results
• Problem Solving/Judgment: Oversees the development of guidelines, principles and approaches; appropriately applies risk management practices, including the escalation of risk issues, and recognizes and undertakes opportunities for others to learn from inevitable mistakes, and incorporates experience in future decisions; able to anticipate problems/challenges and required strategy for a situation; makes connections among previously unrelated ideas and looks beyond the first right answer
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Plays an active role in implementing change; encourages others to challenge the status quo; able to quickly adapt and lead during changing circumstances; foresees potential breakdown in the establishment/development of change and proactively recommends modifications to maintain standards of deliverables; anticipates specific reasons underlying resistance to change and proactively implements approaches to address potential concerns; remains active, visible and engaged throughout all stages of change management
• Courage & Conviction: Takes responsibility for departmental outcomes regardless of success and learns from all results; creates a departmental environment where failure is seen as an opportunity for learning.
• Donor Centered: Uses donor and university feedback to improve service and feed into the business planning; builds performance-based business relationships by identifying and meeting donor needs rather than simply relying on social or affiliated relationships.

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.