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Oregon State University Foundation

Director, Development I, College of Agricultural Sciences

Oregon State University Foundation, Corvallis, OR, United States


Description

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

For more than 150 years, the Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences has played a central role to sustaining and enhancing Oregon's high standard of quality for food, habitat, health and home. With expertise ranging from microbiome to macroeconomics, the research and service of our faculty, in every part of the state, support over 200 crops and commodities - from beef and potatoes to cherries and berries, onions and seafood, hazelnuts, hops and hay. Today, agriculture is the backbone of our state economy. Oregon is a national model of environmental stewardship and agricultural productivity. And OSU is a global leader of innovation. With renowned faculty working across interdisciplinary sciences, we partner with leading industries and organizations across the state and around the world to provide our students with hands-on opportunities to make a difference. The research we lead impacts the health of our critical natural resources and ecosystems, innovates better understanding of food systems and access to food, improves the resilience and competitiveness of our agricultural communities, and advances entrepreneurial ideas that change the way we grow and develop food to meet the needs of a growing and diverse population. OSU is one of only three universities in the nation to have land, sea, space and sun grant designations. The College of Agricultural Sciences, specifically, is home to more of the most-cited researchers in the entire world than any other college or institution in the state. With over 3,000 students, 280 professorial faculty, $1 million in scholarships, and $90 million in research grants and contracts, the College of Agricultural Sciences is at the epicenter of solving some of the world's most pressing problems.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is a front-line fundraising position responsible for managing a comprehensive major gift program. The Director of Development is expected to devote 80% of work time to major gift fundraising activities and 20% of work time to administrative responsibilities.

Work Location

The work location for this position is the OSU Foundation's Corvallis, Oregon office.

The Foundation offers a program called Core Work Days, a hybrid approach combining remote and in office work days. Unless traveling for work, Foundation employees are in office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and work remotely, if preferred, on Monday and Friday.

Measures of Success
  • Meet agreed upon annual goal for direct contacts with gift prospects and donors through telephone calls and visits.
  • Meet agreed upon annual goal for number of proposals to potential major gift donors.
  • Personally cultivate and close, annually, $1M to $2.5M (depending on job level) in countable gifts.
Key Partners

In addition to OSU Foundation colleagues, the key partners for this position are the unit's Deans/Directors and appropriate faculty.

Position Accountabilities
  • Manage a prospect portfolio of 100-125 prospects rated at $50,000 to $5 million;
  • Raise $1 - $2.5 million dollars per year, including 12-16 gifts at $50,000 and above
  • Open 20-40 new proposals at the $50,000 level per year
  • Conduct 120-160 face-to-face visits per year
  • Travel five to seven days per month making three to five visits per travel day
  • Perform related administrative duties for the assigned areas including writing contact reports, budget management, case statement development, and events development
  • Assist to increase the overall productivity and efficiency of the division's development staff in terms of numbers of potential donor visited, proposals opened, and major gifts closed
  • Develop and support clearly-defined and strategic fundraising priorities and articulate compelling cases for support going forward to advance them
  • Bring the foundation's organizational values to life by modeling them at all times
Major Duties

Major Gift Fundraising

Serve as a development officer for one of the units that comprise the division and working closely with the senior director of development, and dean or director of that unit to identify and advance the philanthropic priorities of the unit and to create an articulate and compelling case for support for the unit.

Advance the number and quality of leadership ($1 million and above) gift conversations in close partnership with the Senior Director of Development.

Potential Donor Discovery

Develop and implement a long-range strategic planning process to increase and grow the major gift pipeline and overall fundraising success over the next five to ten years.

Engagement

Develop, manage and contribute to the success of the volunteer structures, corporate partner programs, and events focused on increasing private support to the assigned units within the Division.

Leadership

Provide visible leadership across the entire organization by engaging in organization-wide activities such as development management meetings, all-staff meetings, and staff events.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Handle interpersonal relationships maturely, thoughtfully and empathetically, including the ability to work with individuals from diverse background
  • Proven track record of successful major gift solicitation
  • Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to articulate a strong and compelling case for support
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to create strong professional relationships with colleagues at the Foundation, college, and university
  • Ability to effectively represent the interests and fundraising priorities of the division, while also maintaining a high degree of enterprise perspective by acting in the best interests of the foundation and the university at all times
  • Strategic, hardworking, and able to work with a high degree of flexibility in a highly-collaborative, fast-paced, goal-oriented environment
  • Ability to apply creative and entrepreneurial thinking, while applying sound judgment and conducting oneself with integrity
  • Ability to effectively manage volunteer boards to assist with donor relationship development and to advance significant philanthropic support for the college
Minimum Requirements

Bachelor's degree and three years of major gift development experience in higher education or related work experience. Education and experience equivalencies will be considered. This position requires the ability to travel frequently, at times requiring overnight stays, and by various modes of transportation.

Core Values

We strive to be one of the best places to work in the country. We know that our success depends in large part on the people who carry out our mission. It's what we do -and how we do it -- that makes the difference. Our core values reflect our approach to work and to each other, and we are committed to conduct consistent with these values.

collaborative • productive • respectful • bold• inclusive • creative

What We Offer: Annual salary range starting at $85,000

FLSA Status: Exempt

Comprehensive Benefits: A comprehensive total compensation package, which includes:
  • A monthly employer contribution towards benefits
  • A monthly employer match for a health savings account
  • An impressive 17% employer contribution to retirement plan (based on qualified earnings)
  • A generous Paid Time Off (PTO) program
  • A robust Educational Assistance program
  • Two exceptional employee discount programs

Professional Growth: At OSU Foundation, we believe in investing in our employees' development. We provide ongoing training and opportunities for advancement.

Innovative Work Environment: Join a team of talented professionals in a stimulating and collaborative work atmosphere