Job Description Summary
The Senior Director of Development and External Relations for Miami University Regionals and the College of Liberal Arts and Applied Science will help advance the mission of Miami University Regionals by leading fundraising efforts and a comprehensive external relations strategy. This role oversees the major gifts programs for the Regionals while also providing strategic leadership for the annual fund, donor engagement stewardship, and retention initiatives
Job Description
The Senior Director of Development and External Relations for Miami University Regionals and the College of Liberal Arts and Applied Science will help advance the mission of Miami University Regionals by leading fundraising efforts and a comprehensive external relations strategy. This role oversees the major gifts programs for the Regionals while also providing strategic leadership for the annual fund, donor engagement stewardship, and retention initiatives.
Miami University is a public university founded in 1809 with over 200,000 alumni and 20,000 enrolled students. These students major in over 120 different fields of study. Miami’s regional campuses are located in Hamilton and Middletown, Ohio, as well as a learning center in West Chester, Ohio, and they represent the open admission arm of Miami University. They have been in operation since 1966 and enroll approximately 3700 students. Academic offerings include 15 bachelor degree programs, 12 associate degree programs, a range of microcredentials, and relocation pathways for students who aim to complete a program on the main campus in Oxford, Ohio.
Miami Regionals and the College of Liberal Arts and Applied Science are in a moment of radical transformation. Miami University’s most recent strategic plan,Thrive, calls for the regional campuses to be rebranded and redesigned . Miami University Regionals will offer workforce driven programs that feature applied learning throughout the educational experience to ensure graduates are career-ready upon graduation and can meet the workforce needs of the region and the state. Miami University as a whole is in the midst of a $1 billion fundraising campaign and the person in this role will be critical to the success of that campaign.
Miami University recognizes that technology enables us to find new ways of providing first class service and workplace flexibility. This position is approved for remote work on a hybrid basis. Remote work is a working arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason.
Duties:
Manage Dean/Vice President’s development and external relations priorities and engagements
Direct the work of identifying and building relationships with top donors/prospects for the Regionals, fundraising for capital projects, scholarships, programming and faculty development, and oversee a staff of two unclassified staff members and two classified staff members.
Serve as a vital member of the Miami University Regionals and CLAAS development team and work closely with the Development leadership to meet the fundraising priorities and strategic initiatives of the College
Represent Miami University and the Regionals within the local community, especially across Butler County.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to align donor interests with institutional priorities, and serve as a representative at regional events, including chamber functions and community partner engagements.
Serve as a visible and engaged liaison between the university and regional constituents, including alumni, foundations, local government, and nonprofit partners.
Work closely with the Development leadership and the CLAAS Dean in the development of the team’s fundraising efforts and strategies
Engage with senior leadership of Miami University Regionals as well as University leadership
Serve as a liaison between the University Advancement office and the Regionals
Effect solicitation and stewardship calls to alumni, parents, and friends alone and with other staff, faculty, administrators and alumni volunteers
Develop and maintain a prospect pool focused primarily on major gift prospects.
Prepare and present gift proposals to prospects with the input and assistance of faculty, administrators, and deans, as well as other constituent and central development officers. Proposals may involve establishing multi-year commitments, as well as helping to facilitate gifts of real estate, personal property, securities, and gifts in wills, trusts, annuities and insurance.
Encourage and coordinate the involvement of alumni and friends through campus visits and regional events, including a robust set of public programming offerings
Develop and implement assessment, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for assigned prospects with the Office of Development staff, and university faculty and administrators.
Perform other duties related to the mission of the Office of Development under the guidance of the Senior Associate Vice President for University Advancement.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree, minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, sales, business development, and/or comparable work experience
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Deep understanding of the Butler County business community, chamber of commerce structure, local foundations, K-12 systems, and the nonprofit sector.
Outstanding oral and written communication skills
Excellent organization skills and attention to detail
Commitment to collaborative approach to fundraising
Proven leadership techniques
Willingness to travel extensively on a regional level and attend evening and weekend events
Management experience
Fundraising experience
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Experience working in an educational setting with specific emphasis on a polytechnic institution
Required Application Documents
To be considered for this position please upload a resume and cover letter.