Executive Director, Philanthropic Services and Strategy Solutions
Location
1 S Grove St, Westerville, OH
Job Type
Administrative Staff
Job Number
00524
Division
Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement
Department
Institutional Advancement
Opening Date
10/09/2026
DESCRIPTION
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 universitys 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.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & Strategic Oversight
- 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.
Reporting, Analytics & Business Intelligence
- 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.
Data Stewardship & Compliance
- 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.
Prospect Management & Fundraising Operations
- 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.
Collaboration & Constituent Support
- Collaborate with the Vice President and key stakeholders to develop and maintain gift policies aligned with CASE standards, including campaign counting practices.
- Work with development staff, alumni engagement, the Presidents Office, and authorized university users to develop information strategies and respond to information requests.
- Enhance the value and use of information supporting development, alumni engagement, and external programs.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Direct supervision of:
- Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Records Coordinator
- Gift Administration and Bio Records Specialists
- Director, Prospect Research
- Director of Philanthropic Technologies
- Advancement Technologies Developer
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this role successfully, candidates must be able to execute the essential duties effectively. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education & Experience
- Bachelors degree required.
- Masters degree preferred.
- Five to seven years of directly related experience.
Core Competencies
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong leadership, interpersonal, and relationship-building abilities.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to exercise initiative, sound judgment, and independent decision-making.
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders across the university.
- Commitment to confidentiality, accuracy, and high-quality work product.
- Excellent customer service skills and a constituent-focused approach.
Technical Skills
- Experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems required.
- Experience with Slate CRM preferred.
- Knowledge of general office procedures and office technologies.
- Ability to utilize standard office equipment and software applications.
- Competency in general mathematics and data analysis.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Frequent sitting, speaking, hearing, reaching, and repetitive use of hands and wrists.
- Occasional standing, walking, stooping, or bending.
- Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 20 pounds.
- Requires close vision.
- Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in an environmentally controlled office setting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Otterbein offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Tuition benefit to employee, spouse or domestic partner and dependents
- Accrue 4 weeks of paid vacation
- 10 days paid sick time
- 12 paid holidays plus bonus days
- Medical, dental and vision insurance to you, dependents or domestic partner
- Life Insurance
- Defined contribution retirement plan
- and much more
This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind of level of difficulty.
Otterbein University's achievement of academic excellence depends on its commitment to inclusion and belonging. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Otterbein University is an EEO Employer.
To help attract a talented team, Otterbein offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time faculty and staff.
Benefits at Otterbein include:
- Tuition benefit for employee and their dependents
- Accrue 4 weeks paid vacation and 10 days paid sick time per year
- 12 paid holidays plus bonus days
- Medical, dental, vision, life insurance for employee, dependents, or domestic partner
- Disability
- Defined contribution retirement plan
- and much more
ABOUT OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY: https://www.otterbein.edu/about/
ABOUT OTTERBEIN CAREERS and BENEFITS: https://www.otterbein.edu/about/careers/
Employer Otterbein University
Address Otterbein University
1 South Grove St.
Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Phone 614-823-1805
Website https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/otterbein