Executive Director, Major Giving

Executive Director, Major Giving

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.

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 2.0FTE 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:

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, View email address on click.appcast.io View phone number on click.appcast.io

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.

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