Executive Director of Development

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Job Title:

Executive Director of Development

Department:

Advancement | Development Constituency Fundraising

Position Overview

The Executive Director of Development will lead an established, cohesive, and growing fundraising team within one of the largest colleges of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) in the country, serving more than 3,500 students and over 45,000 living alumni. The College’s impact extends well beyond its alumni base, engaging more than one million past Ohio 4-H program participants and a vast statewide network of stakeholders through OSU Extension.

 

The expectation of this role is to maintain $50M+ in annual new fundraising activity while developing and executing comprehensive strategies that drive sustained, year-over-year growth. This includes strengthening the major and principal gift pipeline, enhancing corporate and foundation partnerships, expanding the donor base, and ensuring disciplined portfolio management and performance accountability across the team.

 

The Executive Director serves as a critical strategic partner to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) in advancing the College’s philanthropic priorities. They are responsible for the day-to-day management of development operations and for leading, mentoring, and holding accountable a large team of fundraising professionals to achieve ambitious goals.

 

In close collaboration with the CAO, the Executive Director will ensure alignment between development strategies and the broader advancement functions under the CAO’s supervision, including donor experience, alumni engagement, annual giving, and advancement operations. The role also requires strong partnership with the Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College to maximize philanthropic impact and ensure fundraising strategies are fully integrated with the College’s academic vision and priorities.

 

This role requires a deep understanding of the College’s mission, strategic priorities, needs, and value proposition in order to effectively engage and secure support from a wide range of constituents, including individuals, corporations, foundations, and partner organizations. The Executive Director must be equally adept at navigating a complex academic environment, working closely with academic leaders, department chairs, and faculty across CFAES to identify compelling funding opportunities and align philanthropic support with institutional priorities.

 

Serving as a key connector between donors and academic leadership, the Executive Director models and reinforces best practices for building strong, trust-based relationships among these essential constituencies. In partnership with the CAO, this leader will foster a culture of continuous learning by providing ongoing training and coaching for both development staff and faculty on the art and science of fundraising. Leading by example, demonstrating professionalism, and cultivating a culture of respect and accountability are essential expectations in this fast-paced, high-performing environment.

 

Reporting directly to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), the Executive Director relieves the CAO of significant supervisory and high-level responsibilities. This includes representing the College at Office of Advancement and university meetings and committees, as needed. The role operates with a high degree of independence and judgment, requiring the ability to make strategic decisions, solve complex problems, nego