Benefit package includes: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription insurance, Life insurance, Workers’ Compensation insurance, Unemployment insurance, and Total Disability insurance. Retirement: The University contributes 4% of the regular salary with up to 3% additional in matched contributions into the TIAA Retirement Program. Other benefits include tuition remission for employee, spouse, and employee’s dependent children under the age of 25 (this does not include the last two year of the PharmD program or the JD), twenty days of vacation and twenty days of paid medical leave per year.
Pay Band:
Job Summary:
The Director of Development for Athletics is responsible for devising and executing a comprehensive major gift fundraising plan to maximize charitable support for the University and the athletics department to which s/he is assigned through the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major gift prospects. The Director of Development is responsible for implementing all athletics fundraising activities that have been established as priorities by ONU, including major gifts, special gifts, and annual gifts.
Scope:
Support University Advancement through serving as the Director of Development of Athletics and Polar Bear Club. Oversee the design and execution of a comprehensive advancement plan that includes major gift fundraising, annual fund development, and alumni relations.
Principal Responsibilities
Directly responsible for revenue generation and for fundraising goals of the University’s athletics initiatives.
Identify, solicit, and close major gifts, both personally and with staff/volunteer/coach/AD participation, in coordination with Advancement and the Athletics Department.
The Director of Development will:
Be an ambitious and dynamic development professional who is dedicated to building a strong major gift and philanthropic culture throughout his/her designated college;
Have demonstrated success in closing six-figure gifts; experience with campaign planning and implementation,n and a successful history of closing major gifts, and identifying, attracting, and adding new donors;
Partner with the Executive Director of Development, Assistant Vice President, Vice President, and Athletics Director, including the establishment and implementation of all of the major gifts fundraising strategies, plans, and goals;
Support, assist, and partner with other development staff and institutional leaders;
Demonstrate effective strategic skills to connect and engage alumni, faculty, donors, and local and national philanthropists in major gift opportunities;
Be creative, innovative, and have a strong background in fundraising while working collaboratively; and
Have a passion for the impact that ONU can have on students, alumni, and the community.
Key Job Functions:
Maintain an active portfolio of capable prospects who support the designated college’s and the University’s mission
Meet or exceed specific goals for donor contacts during the year
Work with the Athletics Director, coaches, senior faculty, and other University officials on appropriate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits
Develop best practices in athletics that can be shared with colleges and other business units
Lead special and/or specific projects or major gifts functions, as assigned, and provide support/mentoring as appropriate to newer development officers
Required Skills:
The ideal candidate will possess a strong knowledge of fundraising, particularly advancement in a higher education setting and planned giving vehicles, as well as strong behavioral competencies and attributes described below.
Functional/Technical Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrated success in closing six-figure gifts; experience with campaign planning and implementation
Must possess a broad institutional perspective and have excellent management and planning skills, as well as a proactive style of leadership that encourages teamwork and interaction
Demonstrated success in developing proposals that combine gifts for the assigned unit(s) and University-wide special projects
Experience in fundraising and advancement strategies and techniques
Expertise and demonstrated success in major gift strategies and practices in higher education, including the responsibility to ensure compliance with governmental and University policies and regulations
Develop and promote donor acquisitions and renewal programs
Manage data in order to improve renewal and upgrade rates, average gifts, and other measurable results
Conduct analysis and processing for various appeals
Identify and cultivate potential Lehr Society donors in conjunction with the Office of University Advancement
Plan and implement development and alumni engagement strategies that promote a comprehensive understanding of the college’s mission, goals, and priorities
Work closely with Alumni Relations and volunteer leadership to develop relationships with alumni and donors
Work with others on fundraising and alumni engagement activities
Participate in University-wide and college alumni events to further alumni engagement activities
Technology skills including computer literacy, familiarity with the internet, social media, word processing, spreadsheets, and database software programs
Behavioral Competencies and Attributes
A high level of energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to the mission and goals of the institution
High-level and effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities
Ability to accomplish tasks in collaboration with and through others in a higher education organization
Very strong interpersonal skills with the ability to be persuasive with a variety of constituents
Ability to organize fundraising activities effectively, prioritize prospects, and participate in high-level gift discussions
Strong leadership and management acumen
Experience working as part of a team
Very effective communication skills (including verbal, written, presentation, and listening skills)
Ability to establish priorities, goals, and timelines and achieve quantifiable outcomes
Passion for the work; ability to lead with vision
Orientation toward action and results
Ethics and integrity in all activities ,internal and external to the University
Minimum Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field
Three + years of experience in securing major gifts, including planned gifts
Significant experience (three+ years) in relationship-building functions
Experience in engaging constituencies and working with volunteers
Record of developing and implementing effective fund development plans and achieving metric-driven goals
Excellent oral and written communication skills
A valid driver’s license and safe driving record
Preferred Qualifications:
Graduate degree and / or CFRE are desirable
Successful experience at a like-sized higher education institution or complex nonprofit organization
EEO Statement
ONU is an equal employment opportunity employer. Accordingly, no person shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, transgender status, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, separation, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.
College Description:
Appointment Length:
12-months
Closing Date:
07/31/2025
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Status:
Full-Time
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* What is the highest level of education attained?
GED
High School Diploma
Associates Degree
Associates Degree in progress
Bachelors Degree
Bachelors Degree in progress
Masters Degree
Masters Degree in progress
PHD
PHD in progress
* Do you have a valid driver's license?
Yes
No
Optional & Required Documents
Required Documents
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Copy of Transcript 1
Optional Documents
1. Letter of Reference 1
2. Copy of Transcript 2
3. Other Document