Executive Director of Development

Position Overview

The Executive Director of Development (ED) serves as WOSU Public Media’s chief fundraiser and oversees all development, marketing, communications, and donor experience functions. Reporting jointly to the Senior Executive Director of University Development and the General Manager of WOSU, the ED leads a multidisciplinary advancement team responsible for securing financial and community support to advance WOSU’s mission.

The ED strategically builds awareness, engagement, and investment from individuals, corporations, foundations, community organizations, and government entities. The role emphasizes relationship-building, strategic fundraising, donor cultivation, and organizational visibility.

The ED manages a personal portfolio of major gift prospects ($100,000+), leveraging Ohio State Advancement resources such as prospect development, gift planning, and principal gifts to meet and exceed annual goals. The role requires initiative, diplomacy, discretion, and collaboration across Advancement units. Occasional travel, evening, and weekend work are expected.

 

About WOSU Public Media

For more than a century, WOSU has informed, inspired, and connected Central Ohio through public service media. Founded in 1922 as one of America’s first educational radio stations, WOSU embodies The Ohio State University’s land-grant mission by serving nearly 2 million people across 20 Ohio counties.

• WOSU operates multiple platforms:
• WOSU TV – four public television channels
• 89.7 NPR News – Ohio’s most-listened-to NPR news station
• Classical 101 – the region’s only all-day classical station (six-station network)
• WOSU Digital – online and mobile content, podcasts, and blogs
• WOSU Classroom – educational resources and training for teachers and families

Following a successful capital campaign for a new headquarters, WOSU is poised for a new era redefining public media in Central Ohio.

Key Responsibilities
Fundraising Leadership (75%)

• Lead and inspire a development team to achieve fundraising goals by aligning donor interests with WOSU’s priorities.
• Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects; identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $100,000 and above.
• Develop and execute strategies to engage 35,000 members and expand donor participation through innovative outreach and partnerships.
• Strengthen donor relations and stewardship practices to grow a sustainable network of engaged supporters.
• Collaborate with the General Manager and WOSU leadership on planning and strategy to advance development and alumni relations goals.
• Manage and support the Friends of WOSU Advisory Board.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate staff; set and monitor goals, ensure equitable performance management, and foster professional growth.
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Marketing & Communications (15%)

• Oversee marketing, communications, and external engagement to expand visibility and audience reach.
• Partner with University Marketing to align WOSU’s branding with institutional strategy.
• Direct strategic communications—traditional and digital media, public relations, crisis communications, and executive messaging—to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with mission.
• Cultivate and maintain partnerships with community organizations and civic leaders that advance WOSU’s strategic initiatives.

Organizational Leadership (10%)

• Serve as a key member of WOSU’s senior leadership team.
• Participate in cross-campus advancement initiatives, leveraging partnerships with colleges and specialty units.
• Complete special projects and other duties as assigned.

Metrics & Collaboration

Performance is evaluated through:

• Number of qualifications, cultivations, solicitations, and commitments annually.
• Collaboration with colleagues across Ohio State; fundraisers may receive secondary credit for joint efforts or multi-unit gifts.
• Transparent goal-setting with management each fiscal year.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education/experience.
• At least seven years of relevant experience, including:
• Five years in professional fundraising, with a proven track record of cultivating and closing major gifts.
• Two years in related fields such as marketing, sales, or public relations emphasizing relationship-building.
• Minimum three years of management experience.

Desired Qualifications

Master’s degree.

• Seven or more years of major gift fundraising experience, ideally with five- and six-figure gifts.
• Experience in higher education or public media fundraising.
• Background in donor relations, stewardship, annual giving, or corporate/foundation relations.
• Success leading cross-functional advancement teams.

 

Values & Culture

All Advancement professionals contribute to a culture grounded in The Ohio State University’s Shared Values—kindness, respect, integrity, and inclusivity. Staff are expected to foster collaboration, innovation, and community engagement while modeling ethical behavior and respect for diverse perspectives.

 

Additional Information

Comprehensive orientation and training provided in Advancement systems, databases, and processes.

Located in Columbus, Ohio, a dynamic, growing city offering exceptional quality of life.

Employment includes university benefits and resources that support professional growth and well-being.

This role is designated as a standby position under University Policy 6.17 (Disaster Preparedness and Emergency).

For more about Ohio State careers: https://hr.osu.edu/careers/