Director of Development, College of Veterinary Medicine

Director of Development, College of Veterinary Medicine

Department:
Advancement | Development Constituency Fundraising

The Director of Development will understand the mission, needs and value proposition of the university and the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Veterinary Health System and build relationships with prospective donors to increase philanthropic support. Donors such as alumni, friends, and/or grateful clients will be identified by listening for opportunities to align their interests and passions with opportunities to donate to the university.

The aim of the role is to actively manage a portfolio of prospective donors to be asked for gifts of $100,000 and above. Preparation for the “ask” will include creative and strategic utilization of resources to determine the prospective donor’s capacity for giving, build their interest, raise their sights, sustain their engagement and obtain a gift. Success in the position will be guided by annual metrics such as dollars raised, qualifications, number of monthly meetings and number of gift commitments.

Central resources such as a robust donor database and reporting and analytics tools exist to help the role achieve goals and manage an allocated budget.

The Director reports to the Executive Director of Development and operates with a high degree of independence to make decisions, solve problems, negotiate, and adapt to shifting priorities. Expectations include stellar communications and interactions with constituents, genuine collaboration with colleagues across the college, Advancement, the university and Wexner Medical Center, diplomacy, and discretion. This role requires frequent workweek travel including approximately one or two overnight trips per month, regular in‑state travel, and occasional evening and weekend work and offers a flexible schedule including remote work as agreed upon with the Executive Director of Development.

The College of Veterinary Medicine aims to be The Model® comprehensive college of veterinary medicine in the world, impacting animal and human health through innovation, collaboration and excellence. The college is part of a land‑grant university rooted in the foundational principles of health and well‑being, community and respect, advancing partnerships and resource stewardship. Celebrating 140 years of leadership and innovation in veterinary education and groundbreaking research advancing animal and human health, we are training the next generation of veterinarians who will lead the field of veterinary medicine and alongside over 10,000 alumni who are practicing in all 50 states and 40 countries.

Our Veterinary Health System delivers cutting‑edge care to more than 80,000 canine, feline, equine and farm animal patients each year from world‑renowned experts in the field of veterinary medicine.

95% – Fundraising

• Identify, qualify, and cultivate a portfolio of prospective major gift donors.
• Pursue connections and discover donor values, capacity, interests and passions.
• Ensure quality and positive momentum within assigned portfolio to convert prospects to donors.
• Build context for gift proposals, develop and implement strategic gift solicitations.
• Maximize opportunities to steward donors to further enhance relationships.
• Hire, train and develop, and provide daily management to assigned staff (if applicable).

5% – Miscellaneous

Complete special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Annual performance is measured by the number of qualifications, cultivations, solicitations and commitments/dollars raised over each fiscal year. Expectations may vary by experience level, unit size, prospect portfolio and past performance, and goals are set with the manager at the start of each fiscal year.

Fundraisers are encouraged to collaborate with colleagues across the institution and can be counted as “Secondary” on gifts in the solicitation, commitment and dollars raised phases.

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent combination education/experience.
• Four (4) years of relevant experience with at least two (2)…