Executive Director of , Norman Campus

The OU Foundation seeks a strategic leader and experienced fundraiser to advance philanthropic support for the Colleges of Journalism & Mass Communications, Atmospheric & Geographic Sciences, Education, and Architecture at the University of Oklahoma. The Executive Director of Advancement – Norman Campus reports to the Assistant Vice President of Advancement for the Norman Campus and serves as a member of the Norman Campus leadership team.

This role provides leadership for a team of fundraising professionals and is responsible for advancing a unit fundraising goal of $17 million annually across the assigned colleges. The role requires a collaborative, donor‑first mindset; a self‑directed, results‑oriented work style; and a high level of accountability for delivering fundraising results, managing performance expectations, and sustaining disciplined portfolio and activity management. The Executive Director demonstrates professionalism and integrity aligned with the ethical standards of the fundraising profession.

The Executive Director maintains an active portfolio and manages major and principal gift relationships, with direct responsibility for disciplined cultivation, strategic solicitation, and stewardship of high-impact philanthropic investments. The position carries an expected individual fundraising metric of $5 million annually ($25 million over a rolling five-year period), requires regular travel nationwide, and demands a demonstrated record of advancing complex, interdisciplinary fundraising priorities across multiple academic units and senior leaders.

• Lead and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies across four academic units in alignment with college and university priorities
• Enable a culture of philanthropy by equipping deans and academic leaders to effectively articulate vision, engage donors, and steward philanthropic investments.
• Partner with Principal Gift Officers, Planned Giving, and Corporate and Foundation Relations to shape and advance coordinated donor strategies and complex major and principal gift opportunities.
• Serve as a strategic connector between colleges and central campus units to ensure student support priorities are clearly articulated, aligned with institutional goals, and donor-ready.
• Oversee the advancement strategy for assigned colleges, partnering with development staff who serve as the primary strategic partners to deans and manage day‑to‑day engagement and activity.
• Demonstrates the ability to fundraise across multiple colleges strategically, integrating and partnering with advancement colleagues to champion aligned academic and institutional priorities.
• Provides effective leadership and coaching to advancement colleagues, setting clear expectations and fostering accountability in support of shared fundraising goals.
• Work closely with college‑based faculty and staff to align institutional needs with donor interests.
• Bring a strategic, execution‑oriented mindset that advances and refines college‑based fundraising strategies to deliver consistent results across the assigned portfolio.
• Maintain a collaborative, donor‑first approach and adapt comfortably to a matrixed environment, balancing institutional priorities with college‑ and unit‑specific needs.

• Serve as a senior frontline fundraiser for the Norman Campus, advancing institutional priorities through strategic donor engagement and solicitation.
• Maintain an active portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and oversee all aspects of the development cycle including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Solicit and secure philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, and foundations in partnership with the Corporate and Foundation Relations team.
• Work closely with deans, faculty, and university leadership to design and execute strategic donor engagement opportunities and major gift solicitations.
• Lead complex donor strategies, including interdisciplinary and cross‑college opportunities where donor interests align.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive donor engagement and travel…