Vice President of 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.

About the Position: The Vice President of Development is a critical role that will provide strategic vision and ensure operational excellence for a comprehensive development program. Reporting directly to the OSU Foundation President, the Vice President for Development leads and manages a division of more than 100 development professionals across all campuses, colleges and programs. The Vice President serves as a member of the OSU Foundation Executive Team and will work closely with this group to create and execute strategies to achieve University-Wide goals through philanthropy and endowment growth.

Job Responsibilities And Expectations

• Develop and execute strategies to maximize a comprehensive, best-in-class development operation for the Foundation to increase philanthropic support, grow the endowment and expand OSU’s visibility and importance among key influencers, alumni and donors at all levels
• Lead the planning, implementation and execution of the third comprehensive campaign in the history of OSU. Ensure that campaign strategies and tactics align with the fundraising priorities as established by the President of the Foundation and the President of the University
• Lead the implementation of donor-centered operational strategies and objectives across multiple fundraising departments and consistently challenge each aspect of the operational process to improve efficiency and increase donor satisfaction
• Provide vision and leadership for the development operation and advise the Foundation President on the planning and execution of fundraising priorities, while balancing expectations and resources required to achieve the agreed-upon goals
• Build strong working relationships with the Foundation executive and leadership teams, board and committee members, and staff to provide meaningful and valuable engagement opportunities aimed at furthering the culture of philanthropy across and outside of OSU
• Spearhead a development approach that aligns the strategic value of prospect development, marketing & communications and donor relations in the development enterprise to elevate the fundraising
• Partner with the OSU Alumni Association and other OSU Affiliates to develop and deploy an effective advancement strategy for OSU by maximizing resources between all entities and creating organizational alignment throughout all organizations
• Lead the recruitment, training and retention of high-performance members of the development team; cultivate a culture of lifelong learning and exceptionally prepared and accountable development professionals
• Partner with Foundation President to foster an environment that rewards new ideas and risk-taking, builds confidence, encourages teamwork, celebrates current achievements and establishes clear expectations for future success
• Cultivate strong relationships and communication with administrators, Deans, faculty and staff throughout OSU. Ensure that development has a service orientation with respect to internal and external constituencies
• Benchmark the Foundation’s development programs and performance against best-in-class examples among peer institutions
• Oversee a small personal portfolio of principal gift donors and potential donors
  
  

Performance Expectations

• Maximize the comprehensive, well-rounded development program that enhances annual giving, expands the major-gift prospect base, secures transformational donations, and leverages relationships with corporations and foundations
• Expand and grow the cohesive, high caliber team that works in partnership with University Deans, Campus Presidents, faculty, volunteers, and donors; maximize their effectiveness and clearly define their roles, relationships and expectations
• In collaboration with the Foundation President, the executive team and leadership team, create a bold, compelling, integrated comprehensive campaign with measurable, aggressive, and attainable programmatic and fundraising goals
  
  

Professional Experience Required

• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement a comprehensive development program based on best practices, particularly in pre-campaign planning and campaign implementation, experience working in a complex university environment and managing significant change
• Experience successfully leading a large development program; a demonstrated collaborative approach to management that brings out the best in staff and yields pride and ownership; cultivates a sense of team effort where openness and communication are valued
• Experience working with administrators, Deans, faculty and staff and understands that the advancement function (development, operations, alumni relations, public relations and marketing) should play an integrated role in the University
• Proven competence in preparing and managing an operating budget, experience in creating credible philanthropic and financial forecasting models in partnership with leadership; possesses ability to aggressively but realistically set and achieve fundraising goals
• Minimum of 15 years’ experience as an executive in development and campaign management; strongly desired is experience in managing operations
• A great sense of humor, and an intrinsic understanding of when to use humor
• Bachelor’s degree required or advanced degree/study preferred