Vice President, Institutional Advancement at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio

Job Description:

Vice President, Institutional Advancement

Reporting To: President

Direct Reports: Executive Director - The Point, Executive Director of Development, Executive Director of Advancement Services, Executive Director of Engagement, Executive Assistant

Location: Westerville, OH

University Description

Otterbein University

Otterbein is an exemplary student centered regionally accredited liberal arts university. Since its founding in 1847, Otterbein has been recognized for its pace-setting ideals, its ground-breaking integrative studies curriculum, its standing among the countrys first co-educational institutions, and its commitment to serve the public good. Located in picturesque Westerville, Ohio just minutes away from downtown Columbus and John Glenn Columbus International Airport they are a perfect location for undergraduate students to find internships and worldwide networking opportunities.

Otterbein is a cofounder, along with Antioch University, of the Coalition for the Common Good (CCG), a national system of independent, not-for-profit universities built around a shared graduate and adult learner program and committed to education for a more just society. While currently comprised of two universities, the CCG envisions a network of affiliated Otterbein-like universities distributed around the US, supporting and benefiting from the shared graduate and adult learner programs operated by Antioch.

Location: Westerville is a residential community of 36,000 residents on the northeast side of Columbus, Ohio, offering a small-town atmosphere with all the conveniences and opportunities of a big city. Otterbeins 140-acre campus is accented by the historic Towers Hall, which was constructed in 1872 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Enrollment: Approximately 2,400 students from throughout the United States and several foreign countries.

Curriculum: Otterbein offers a choice of more than 60 majors and 44 minors, as well as individualized courses of study. We also offer five graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing, including our Doctor of Nursing practice degree.

Student/Faculty Ratio: The student to faculty ratio at Otterbein is 12:1.

Job Summary

Otterbein University invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the Presidents Cabinet, the Vice President for Institutional Advancement provides strategic direction and strong leadership to a strong and motivated staff. The Vice President oversees all functions and staff members in the Office of Institutional Advancement.

Otterbein University continues to develop as an exemplary, student-centered, and innovative liberal arts institution. The students are engaging; the faculty and staff are talented and dedicated to excellence; the alumni and friends see great potential in their alma mater and partner; the Cities of Westerville and Columbus are strong partners and eager to help cause success with the university; and the Board of Trustees provides important counsel and growing financial support.

The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record in advancement work, operational and systems excellence, and in cultivating deep alumni, partner, and friend engagement. The Vice President will be able to show a history of preparing, developing, and coordinating plans and programs designed at securing the maximum level of gift support for operating, capital, and endowment needs. They will recommend objectives, goals, and procedures for institutional priorities to the President and the Board of Trustees Advancement Committee and will be tasked with planning, preparing, and executing the Universitys next Comprehensive Capital Campaign.

They must possess strong decision making and management skills that will inspire the Advancement Team to be excited, accountable, and deliver results. The ability to develop and lead a collaborative team is a top priority. The Vice President will have an accessible and collegial style, polished communication and decision-making skills, and a willingness to engage both the internal campus community and the extended campus community in advancement and development-related activities. Otterbein is seeking a professional with an appreciation and strong understanding that Otterbein is a College of Opportunity, is committed to integrative and experiential education, and is committed to collaboration to advance the common good.

Scope and Responsibilities

The Vice President for Institutional Advancement is responsible for setting the strategic direction and agenda for the Division of Institutional Advancement in alignment with the strategic plan of the University. The position provides strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the division which includes Development, Advancement Services, and Alumni Relations. The Vice President for Institutional Advancement reports to the President, serves as a member of Cabinet, and oversees all Institutional Advancement activities by performing the following duties:

Specific Responsibilities

• Develops and executes strategic plan and goals for the Division of Institutional Advancement aligned with the Universitys vision, mission, core values, and guiding principles.
• Provides strong systems and division leadership, decision making, and strategic focus to build a culture of philanthropy internally and externally and further develops, plans, and executes the Universitys Comprehensive Capital Campaign including developing a strong Case Statement, setting aggressive but reachable campaign goals, annual fund goals, and sustaining and increasing alumni participation rates.
• Directs the day-to-day operations of the Division of Institutional Advancement, with division leadership support determines and monitors key performance metrics for each frontline fundraiser, formulates and manages budgets, supervises staff, and develops staff competencies.
• Works in collaboration with the Presidents Office, leaders of Academic Affairs, Business Affairs, Enrollment Management, Information Technology and Services, Student Affairs, and other colleagues to further the Universitys vision, mission, and strategic plan.
• Develops and maintains excellent working relationships with the Board of Trustees, Advisory Boards, faculty, staff, students, alumni, external contacts, and volunteers. Serves as a staff liaison to the Board of Trustees Enrollment & Advancement Committee and others as assigned.
• Manages a portfolio of prospects, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship process.
• Works in collaboration with the Division of Business Affairs in gift administration and acceptance and ensures regulatory compliance.
• Directs the transition of a potential new CRM system and maintains the constituent management systems for all assigned accounts ensuring that goal setting, stewardship and reporting requirements are met to sustain successful partnerships by thorough detailed records of solicitation.
• Assists the President and Board of Trustees in building and nurturing long-term relationships and fosters engagement with external constituencies and communities that yield significant support from major and principal gift donors.
• Oversees the development and implementation of the Alumni Relations plan that builds meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, and other constituents to foster involvement with various campus departments, events, and programs.
• Oversees the planning and preparation of major events and initiatives that advance the University at the local, regional, state, national, and international levels.
• Works with the Office of Sponsored Programs to develop and submit grant proposals.
• Coordinates all University fundraising activities within various departments including, but not limited to, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Athletics, and the Library among others.
• Prepares and approves timely, accurate, relevant, clear, and compelling proposals, presentations, and other materials needed for the solicitation process. Performs administrative duties as required and other related duties as assigned.
• Partners with the Antioch University Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement, as appropriate, to support advancement and fundraising activities for the Coalition for the Common Good.

Key Selection Criteria

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• BA/BS required; advanced degree preferred.
• 5-10 years of relevant experience in a senior level management position in higher education or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5-10 years of experience in staff development and department management.
• Must be a high energy individual who is self-motivated, confident, and a capable presenter.
• Must be a strategic thinker; possess solid problem solving, decision making, analytical, planning, and organizational skills.
• Must be a team player with strong working relationships and work effectively with others, both outside and within the University.
• Must have outstanding communication, listening, and writing skills and be able to maintain the confidentiality of privileged information.
• Ability to travel monthly is required, including overnight trips with a minimum of five days per month. Travel will involve attending alumni events, donor meetings, and conferences both nationally and, occasionally, internationally.
• Must be flexible with work schedule and available to work weekends and evenings, as necessary.
• Must be a strong operational and financial manager.
• Demonstrated success in Comprehensive Capital Campaign development including success in soliciting and securing major and principal gifts from private sector and/or public sources.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and CASE standards associated with a comprehensive advancement program.
• Thorough understanding of best practices in advancement and fundraising, with demonstrated success with annual funds, major and principal gifts, alumni relations, estate and planned gifts, corporate and foundation fundraising, and management of volunteers.
• Demonstrated success in working with Board(s) of Trustees.
• Must have strong people skills and a high degree of integrity with a demonstrated ability to take initiative to build strong rapport and positive relationships with targeted individuals/groups of varied backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and lead others in a dynamic and changing environment.
• Proven ability to multi-task, deal with emergent issues, and manage multiple projects.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit a cover letter, and resume to DHR Global at Otterbein-vpadvancement@dhrglobal.com

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