Director of Regional Development (Central U.S. Region – Remote, TX)

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: The Regional Development team contributes to the mission by strengthening and cultivating philanthropic support and alumni engagement in key geographic areas, expanding the donor base, enhancing visibility, and driving local impact through tailored outreach and strategic fundraising.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: Under the direction of the Assistant Vice President of Philanthropy, the individual in this position will solicit private support from alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations for Oklahoma State University, and will coordinate these initiatives with other OSU Foundation fundraising activities. The Director of Regional Development supports the core business of securing and stewarding private gifts for OSU by expanding major and planned gift work throughout the organization. This position will focus on the central region of the United States (the primary focus will be Texas/Southwest/Central).

KEY AREAS OF FOCUS:
Major Gift Fundraising (70%)

• Responsible for independently performing identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects with an emphasis on prospects capable of giving in the $50,000+ range.

• Regional Officers will have assigned territories to manage and will meet with identified prospects from any college, any area of interest, on behalf of OSU.

• Collaborate with OSUF development staff to strengthen the donor’s connection to OSU. Use transparent, collaborative communication, and share information, strategy, proposals creation and stewardship.

• Work with campus leaders, which could include but not limited to the President, Provost, Deans and Faculty members. Collaborate with Alumni Association, Career Services, Enrollment Management, etc.

• Maintain an active schedule of contacts, solicitations and stewardship activities for a body of key prospects, including corporations, foundations, and individual prospects.

• Conduct 150 plus personal visits with donors, prospective donors, and their advisors to solicit planned gifts and major gifts, manage a portfolio of 75-100 active donors and prospects, and travel locally, regionally, and nationally as appropriate for donor management.

• Report and track fundraising progress through the use of contact reports, prospect management and other communication tools to ensure efficient and effective communication.

• Successfully solicits 15+ major gifts annually.

Donor Engagement and Stewardship (20%)

• Partner with colleagues in donor relations, corporate and foundation relations, annual giving, planned giving and alumni association programs to engage constituency base in each area.

• Identify and work with Alumni Association and Foundation representatives to execute events in the region that range from small networking lunches to large formal dinners as needed.

• Provide volunteer leadership and management as directed.

Operational/Administrative (5%)

• Develop and manage individual travel budget annually.

• Assist the Assistant Vice President of Regional Development with successful management of the fundraising department. This may include day-to-day oversight of administrative positions.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)
JOB COMPETENCIES AND EXPERIENCE:
Education & Certifications-
· Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing and communications, nonprofit management, humanities, or related fields required.

Experience-

• Minimum of 5 years in fundraising, development, major gifts, or relevant professional experience required.

• Experience in a higher education setting preferred.

• Fundraising and donor management software experience desired.

• Proven sense of humor and ability to have fun!

Organizational Competencies-

• Effective Communication: Listens well and diffuses conflict before it starts; highly persuasive in communications; presents ideas in a manner which actively engages people; takes action to reduce communication barriers and ensure arrangements are in place for effective communication across and within the organization; successfully carries out crucial conversations and encourages and coaches others to have crucial conversations to resolve conflict.

• Execution & Initiative: Holds staff accountable for achieving standards of excellence and results for the organization; seeks out understanding of both donor needs and internal processes; continuously pursues improvement of the organization’s performance by enhancing business processes, systems, teams, facilities or equipment; takes charge in a crisis and effectively maneuvers through complex situations and makes tough decisions in a timely manner.

• Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates commitment to employee engagement and leverages programs and tools to build business plans and monitor progress; utilizes employee recognition and reward programs to celebrate individual and team success; looks for opportunities to create cross-functional teams that leverage employee strengths; proactively takes steps to retain employees by building trust and developing their skills; builds relationships internally and externally and uses relationships to build consensus and create results; coaches others and is able to message appropriately, maintaining confidentiality; excels in maneuvering in a complex and political environment.

• Problem Solving/Judgment: Builds teams understanding of how to apply approved policies and procedures to ensure compliance; looks more broadly across multiple lines of business to identify opportunities and proactively solve problems and implement solutions; challenges assumptions, bases decisions on the right mixture of data analysis as well as wisdom and experience.

• Adaptability/Flexibility: Partners with other colleagues to explore implications of shifting dynamics; communicates in an effort to engage team members and partners in change efforts, explaining the rationale, impacts and benefits of change both vertically and horizontally; involves others in planning and implementing change, keeping them informed of progress; leads with confidence during times of change; drives the implementation and acceptance of change in the workplace, including innovative solutions and alternative approaches for changing circumstances.

• Courage & Conviction: Takes responsibility for team outcomes regardless of success and learns from all results; creates an environment where failure is seen as an opportunity for learning; practices ethical decision making and encourages the same in others; has the courage to hold others accountable for their actions and decisions.

• Donor Centered: Ensures team understands the importance of donor centered service in accordance with OSUF standards; explains difficult information while focused on the donor’s perspective and level of knowledge.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via video conferencing. Requires frequent repetitive motions when operating computers, telephones, and standard office equipment. Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer, attending meetings, or participating in events. This role includes traveling locally, regionally, and occasionally nationally for donor visits, meetings, and university events, which may include walking on campus and navigating varied environments. Requires a valid driver's license. Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support fundraising events and donor engagement activities. Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to approximately 20 pounds.
Originally posted on Himalayas