Executive Director, Philanthropic Services and Strategy Solutions

Executive Director, Philanthropic Services and Strategy Solutions

Otterbein University is seeking a strategic and collaborative Executive Director, Philanthropic Services and Strategy Solutions to lead the Advancement Resources team and provide oversight of philanthropic services, data strategy, reporting, prospect management, and advancement technologies. This role serves as a key partner in supporting the university's fundraising and engagement priorities through innovative systems, data stewardship, analytics, and operational leadership.

This is a full-time, exempt administrative position within Advancement Resources. The Executive Director serves as a liaison to philanthropic services constituents and clients, both internal and external, and works closely with university leadership to ensure that data, systems, and reporting support institutional goals.

• Lead and guide the Philanthropic Services department, establishing strategic priorities and fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and execute long-range plans for systems, processes, reporting, and analytics that support fundraising goals.
• Partner with senior leadership to assess operational needs, align resources, and ensure systems and data strategies support institutional priorities.
• Evaluate existing systems and emerging technologies to enhance data quality, accessibility, integration, reporting, and operational effectiveness.

• Develop, maintain, and enhance official reports, dashboards, and data products for internal and public audiences.
• Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and relevance of reporting resources.
• Conduct ad hoc research and analytical studies in support of university priorities and strategic planning using quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
• Communicate analytical findings to a variety of audiences.
• Analyze donor and prospect data to support major gift cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Develop recommendations related to fundraising strategy, campaign analysis, rating and screening, and prospect management.
• Track progress toward annual and capital fundraising goals.
• Direct the preparation and distribution of monthly, fiscal year-end, and special financial gift reports for university leadership, auditors, reporting agencies, and other stakeholders.

• Direct a comprehensive data management plan focused on ongoing data enhancement and cleanup.
• Develop and maintain systems for tracking endowed fund data, including scholarship contacts, student recipients, annual awards, market values, and award criteria changes.
• Ensure gift records correspond with Business and Finance records and maintain the Chart of Accounts.
• Serve as the division liaison to the Office of Finance.
• Ensure policies and procedures align with financial practices identified by university auditors.
• Maintain PCI compliance across all credit card acceptance platforms.

• Oversee the principal gifts program and coordinate research efforts supporting major gift fundraising.
• Create and implement procedures for assignment and tracking of major gift prospects.
• Manage the prospect pipeline and collaborate with development officers to ensure timely and accurate donor and prospect information management.
• Consult with and support development staff regarding database information and reporting systems that support fundraising initiatives.
• Work with donors, brokers, and custodians on stock transfers in support of philanthropic giving efforts.
• Ensure adherence to university policies regarding gifts-in-kind prior to review and approval.

• Collaborate with the Vice…