Please see Special Instructions for more details. 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. Posting Details Applications will be accepted until midnight (Eastern Time Zone) on the ‘Posting End Date’ shown below. Position Information Business Title Executive Director, Major Giving Applications Accepted From Public: Open to the Public Special Instructions to Applicants 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 2016364T 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. Total Compensation Estimator (For Full-Time Benefits Eligible Employees) Discover the full value of joining Ohio University by clicking this link: https://www.ohio.edu/hr/compensation/total-compensation-estimator Our Total Compensation Estimator shows your offer package in dollars: salary plus university paid benefits including health coverage, retirement contributions, paid time off, tuition benefits, and more. See details on what we offer in one place and compare different options for retirement and insurance. Estimates are informational only; exact coverage is determined by eligibility policies and official plan documents. Pay Grade 21 Pay Range $95,101.00-$163,086.00 FLSA Status Exempt Job Category Administrative at-will appointment Employment Type full-time regular Job Family Development & Inst. Advancement Job Sub Family Major Gifts Job Level M2 Job Open Date 05/19/2026 Posting End Date 06/22/2026 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 40.0 Expected duration of assignment Applicants may contact this person if they have questions about this position. Bo Richardson, richarr3@ohio.edu 740-593-1908 Non-Discrimination Statement Ohio university is proud of its rich history and as part of our ongoing efforts to provide and support a transformative learning experience, we affirm our commitment to fostering a welcoming and respectful workforce and community. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration free from discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military service or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, status as a parent or foster parent, or any other bases under the law. Ohio university is an equal access/equal opportunity employer. Clery Act Crime Statistics
Salary: $95,101 - $163,086 a year
Employment Type: Full-time
Qualifications
Benefits
Tuition reimbursement, Health insurance, Paid time off, Vision insurance, Dental insurance, Paid holidays