"Executive Director, Major Giving"

Executive Director, Major Giving

Company: Ohio University

Job Location: Athens, 45701-2979

Category: Development and Fundraising

Type: Full-Time

Business Title
Executive Director, Major Giving

Applications Accepted From
Public: Open to the Public

Special Instructions to Applicants
DEPARTMENT WILL BE FILLING UP TO 2 POSITIONS
To apply, please complete and submit the online application and be prepared to attach 3 separate documents: current resume, cover Letter, and a list of 3 professional references with current contact information, including email addresses. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, please apply by 11:59 p.m. EST on the close date.

This position is eligible for the following benefits
medical, vision, dental, basic and supplemental life, winter break closure, paid holidays, educational benefits for you and eligible dependents, sick leave, vacation, and retirement.

Posting Number: 2016295T

Department Summary

The Executive Director of Development provides strategic leadership for a team of development officers who work directly with deans, colleges, and other university units to advance fundraising goals and enhance donor engagement. In close partnership with the Associate Vice President and Vice President of Advancement, the Executive Director will help design and implement action plans that strengthen prospect management, build the donor pipeline, and drive major and principal gift strategies.

This position plays a key role in coordinating development strategies across colleges and administrative areas, ensuring alignment with university-wide fundraising priorities. The Executive Director will manage a personal portfolio of major gift prospects and will collaborate with development officers and campus partners to create personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that strengthen long-term relationships with donors. Through strategic outreach, travel, and engagement, this individual will build and sustain relationships with alumni, parents, and friends to support institutional priorities.

Essential Functions and Duties:

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of development officers supporting various colleges and units.
• Collaborate with advancement leadership to design, implement, and execute strategic fundraising and engagement plans.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward principal and major gift prospects and donors to advance university priorities.
• Partner with academic leaders, unit directors, and colleagues across Advancement to align fundraising strategy with institutional goals.
• Contribute to the development of long-term fundraising strategies that strengthen the donor pipeline and advance campus-wide initiatives.
• Provide leadership and oversight for key projects, initiatives, and fundraising campaigns.
• Represent the development team in meetings with internal and external stakeholders, influencing decision-making and promoting collaboration.

Position Profile

Works collaboratively to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward principal gifts from critical, high profile prospects/donors that will enhance university-wide priorities. Designs and implements strategic fundraising plans through collaboration for academic units, regional campuses and complex markets. Manages constituency programs. Cultivates relationships with alumni, donors, foundations, and corporations to support the University's mission. Ensures the University has the resources necessary for growth and engages the community to advance its long-term goals.

Level Summary

Manages a work unit or a team and has full authority over personnel actions within the work unit. Contributes to the development of the area's operational plan, ensuring alignment with broader departmental or institutional goals. Accountable for the achievement of the unit's operational objectives, improving performance and addressing resource needs.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Manages a medium-sized team. Directly oversees at least 2.0 FTE employees or one or more supervisors. Has authority to hire, transfer, suspend, promote, manage performance, discharge, assign duties, reward, and discipline employees.

Fiscal Responsibilities

Responsible for managing team or department budgets and resources.

Problem Solving

Addresses departmental or cross-team issues, devises long-term solutions.

Independence of Action

Acts independently, with consultation with senior management.

Communication and Collaboration

Facilitates communication among team and higher-level leadership, builds relationships across University.

Physical Requirements

This role is primarily desk-based and involves extensive use of desktop computers. Occasionally, the job may require travel to attend meetings and programs.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field, 5 or more years of related professional experience, and 3 or more years of supervisory experience, or equivalent education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in higher education advancement, development, or fundraising.
• At least 5 years of supervisory or management experience leading professional staff.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to travel as needed.

Department
Development

Pay Rate: Target hiring range for this role is $95,101.00 to $128,385.00 and the final offer will be commensurate with the candidate's education and experience in relation to the minimum qualifications for the position.

Pay Grade
21

Pay Range
$95,101.00-$163,086.00

FLSA Status
Exempt

Job Category: Administrative at-will appointment

Job Family
Development & Inst. Advancement

Job Sub Family
Major Gifts

Job Level
M2

Job Open Date
03/20/2026

Posting End Date: 04/05/2026

Planning Unit: Vice President for University Advancement

Work Schedule

Standard working hours are Monday - Friday,8:00A - 5:00P,

May be based in either the Dublin or Athens office, with the expectation of being on the Athens campus on a regular basis and as needed and as requested by the supervisor.

Months
12 month

Campus: Athens, Dublin

Expected hours worked per week
40.00

Expected duration of assignment
Indefinite