Position Overview

The College of Optometry (COO) advancement team creates and implements strategies to support the colleges reputation and fundraising goals. The Donor Experience Specialist works under the direction of the Director of Development and Interim Executive Director and is responsible for supporting college alumni relations, stewardship, and development strategic priorities. This position supports and implements activities that promote engaged alumni and donors and will assist with implementing select stewardship activities that are aligned with the COO donor stewardship plan and drive donor satisfaction and continued giving. The position identifies new opportunities to engage alumni and the broader college community through continuing education activities.

Job Description:

With directions from the Director of Development, the Donor Experience Specialist helps to lead and direct the overall donor relations strategies at the College of Optometry and manages development fund activity. Plans and executes programs, experiences, and communications designed to steward donors to instill trust and confidence, to build lifelong relationships and inspire people to continue and increase their support. Creation and implementation of stewardship plans from special milestone recognition opportunities to routine gift acknowledgement. Works in cooperation with college fiscal staff and leadership to manage all current use and endowment development funds. A successful candidate will be passionate about making people feel connected, appreciated, and aware of how they make a difference at Ohio State, will enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and will be skilled in managing multiple projects and relationships. Annual evaluations of stewardship program effectiveness and return on investment. This position is empowered and expected to implement a strategic donor relations plan and program for the College of Optometry, resolve problems, questions, and concerns, have excellent communication skills to successfully interact with a variety of stakeholders, and demonstrate a high level of computer competency especially data base and excel.

This position works collaboratively with the college advancement team in achieving the teams overall goals. In addition, all members of Advancement are part of creating a culture that inspires an exceptionally multifaceted and talented team and are expected to exhibit The Ohio State Universitys Shared Values. The Office of Advancement is committed to acting with kindness, respect, and integrity at all times and welcoming our colleagues ideas, voices, and perspectives, acknowledging that we are better together.

Occasional nights and weekends may be required to support alumni and donor engagement/ stewardship strategies. The ideal candidate will have experience building collaborative relationships, strong communication skills demonstrate high proficiency and comfort level with customer service, and creative thinking skills. This role is best suited for someone who enjoys working in a team setting.

This is a hybrid position (3 days in office/2 remote).

Pay Rate: $51,500

Duties and Responsibilities

50% Oversees a comprehensive stewardship program for the College: enhances the donor experience through stewardship initiatives for alumni, individuals, foundations, corporations, and Continuing Education Initiatives. Develops and implements stewardship strategies using creative, multi-channel communications. Stewards annual and major donors to build and sustain the pipeline; collaborates, as appropriate, with the central Donor Loyalty team on the stewardship of annual donors. Maintains regular touchpoints with the central stewardship team. Oversees stewardship projects in partnership with communications and development staff. Provides strategic recommendations regarding cultivation and stewardship events and communications; partners with colleagues to identify content that demonstrates impact and inspires further philanthropic support. Coordinates with the Director of Development to set stewardship strategies for major donors and prospects. Creates stewardship strategies and tracking for all major donors to the College, ensuring annual stewardship activities and accurate TAS documentation. Oversees and directs a personalized gift acknowledgment process. Manages comprehensive naming opportunity plans. Oversee the execution of milestone recognition for alumni and constituents. Participates in the universitys stewardship community of practice, which connects colleagues engaged in similar work across the university to share information, coordinate with university programs and standards, and recommend ways to enhance the donor experience. Serves as the administrative lead for the coordination of continuing education, including organizing events, providing customer service, obtaining COPE approval, distributing certificates, and related responsibilities.

30% Coordinates and assists with donor acknowledgement processes and reporting; assists with creation of donor impact reports and prepares alumni and donor briefings. Coordinates day-to-day stewardship activities and donor correspondence. Implement colleges donor relations strategy and stays current with stewardship best practices to work towards donor retention and growth.

15% Advancement Support and Fund Management: Provides support of day-to-day activities and functions of the advancement office; independently responds to routine mail, written requests for information, and inquiries; drafts and prepares correspondence, reports and presentations; maintains stewardship calendar; schedules and coordinates meetings; prepares and tracks requests for reimbursement of expenses, Works in partnership with academic affairs and fiscal office to ensure all current use and endowed funds are effectively managed and stewarded. Coordinates as appropriate with central team members working on fund management across the university

5% Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years in donor or client relations
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Experience in managing programs and building relationships
• Superior customer service in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and projects.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral) allowing for result-oriented and positive customer service with both internal and external constituents.

Desired Qualifications (Were committed to building a team that reflects a variety of skills and experiences and encourage you to apply even if your experience does not align perfectly)

• Development/donor relations or higher education experience in progressively responsible positions
• Fund management
• Demonstrated computer competency and highly developed knowledge of Microsoft Office systems, specifically Excel table management.
• Experience with database systems.
• Advanced degree.

The Office of Advancement is committed to providing tools and resources for you to learn our business, proprietary databases, university-specific processes, and advancement practices.

You Need to Know

Aside from the unparalleled benefits of working for The Ohio State University and working in the vibrant, smart, enjoyable, and growing city of Columbus, Ohio, this opportunity will provide exceptional rewards that arise from working for an institution doing worldwide life-changing teaching and research. Learn more here: Careers at Ohio State.

In accordance with the Disaster Preparedness and University State of Emergency Policy 6.17 this position has been designated as a standby position.

As required by Ohio Revised Code section 3345.0216, Ohio State will: educate students by means of free, open and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth; equip students with the opportunity to develop intellectual skills to reach their own, informed conclusions; not require, favor, disfavor or prohibit speech or lawful assembly; create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth and tolerates differences in opinion; treat all faculty, staff and students as individuals, hold them to equal standards and provide equality of opportunity with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression

FUNCTION: Development and Engagement

SUB-FUNCTION: Donor Experience

CAREER BAND: Individual Contributor - Specialized

CAREER LEVEL: S2