An update on the search for OHIO's new Vice President for University Advancement and President and CEO of The Ohio University Foundation
Dean Scott Titsworth and Dean Renee Middleton shared the following message with the University community regarding an update on the Vice President for University Advancement and President and CEO of The Ohio University Foundation position search.
Dear Ohio University Community:
We are pleased to announce that we are launching the search for our new Vice President for University Advancement and President and CEO of The Ohio University Foundation. We have engaged Parker Executive Search to assist us in our recruiting efforts. As a valued member of Ohio University, we would like your help in identifying candidates for this position.
Below is a copy of the position description.
Candidates will be recruited over the next couple of months with plans to hold on-campus interviews in late January.
You are encouraged to take part in the process by suggesting names of individuals who might be appropriate for the opportunity. Please submit names as soon as possible to:
Laurie Wilder, President
Parker Executive Search
5 Concourse Parkway, Suite 2900
Atlanta, GA 30328
lauriewilder@parkersearch.com
770-804-1996, ext. 102
Porsha Williams, Vice President
Parker Executive Search
5 Concourse Parkway, Suite 2900
Atlanta, GA 30328
pwilliams@parkersearch.com
770-804-1996, ext. 109
Grant Higgison, Associate
Parker Executive Search
5 Concourse Parkway, Suite 2900
Atlanta, GA 30328
ghiggison@parkersearch.com
770-804-1996, ext. 118
Best regards,
Renee Middleton, Search Co-Chair & Dean, The Gladys W. & David H. Patton College of Education
Scott Titsworth, Search Co-Chair & Dean, Scripps College of Communication
VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT and PRESIDENT and CEO of THE OHIO UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
Ohio University (www.ohio.edu) invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice President for University Advancement and President and CEO of The Ohio University Foundation.
THE UNIVERSITY
Ohio University (OHIO) was chartered by the State of Ohio in 1804 and is the oldest university in Ohio and the Northwest Territory. Located in the scenic Appalachian foothills of Southeastern Ohio, its classic residential campus is one of the most attractive in the nation. The charm of tree-lined brick walkways on the University’s College Green makes you feel as if you are at a small college rather than a large university. The University’s total enrollment is just over 40,000 students and the University has 5,300+ faculty and staff located on the main campus, seven regional campuses and centers in Southern and Central Ohio, Dublin and Cleveland, as well as in its e-learning programs. Ohio University is a comprehensive research university with the largest osteopathic medical school in the state, and 10 other colleges that offer over 250 degree undergraduate and graduate programs. An active and engaged campus yields more than 6,000 alumni with each graduating class, thus giving Ohio University 230,000 alumni worldwide.
OHIO offers a compelling academic experience as it collectively aims to be transformative, values based and committed to academic excellence and experiential learning for preparing alumni to be global leaders and enriching society with accessible knowledge and innovation. OHIO is a university, rich in academic distinction and innovation and community engagement. Through its local, national, and international connections and relationships with a network of institutional and industry partners and alumni, OHIO is contributing to social change, new learning, and novel technologies with lasting positive impact.
Unique to OHIO in Athens and Appalachia, is a distinct ‘sense of place’ at OHIO and in the region. The families who have lived in the region for centuries and those who are newcomers – whether from the U.S. or around the world – are weaved into the diversity of the community that creates an enriching and dynamic culture. There is a synergy derived from the natural habitat and biodiversity of the region and the beauty of the university campus, its people, and our location in which the 200+ year institution has evolved into the place that it is today. This ‘sense of place’ is embedded within the OHIO culture that supports a welcoming, supportive, and safe environment for achieving academic excellence and contributing back to the community.
ADVANCEMENT AT OHIO UNIVERSITY
The Division of University Advancement is comprised of four departments: Administrative Resources, Advancement Services, Alumni Relations, and Development. The responsibilities of each department are:
- Administrative Resources: human resources; professional development; special projects; and business office support.
- Advancement Services: database operations; donor recognition and stewardship events; prospect research and management; and advancement communications and marketing.
- Alumni Relations: serves all alumni of the institution through alumni outreach and engagement; events; alumni services; communication; and affinity programs
- Development: annual giving; major giving; organizational giving (including corporation and foundation relations); planned giving; and special initiatives.
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
Established in 1945 by President John C. Baker, The Ohio University Foundation serves as the fundraising arm of Ohio University. The Foundation is an institutionally-related, nonprofit, tax exempt, 501(c)(3) organization, and is the repository for all private gifts to Ohio University through its comprehensive development program.
Private philanthropy has had a rich and dramatic impact on Ohio University from as early as 1816 when Christopher and Daniel Herrold forgave the debt for the lumber used to build Cutler Hall. Gifts from generous donors have provided for scholarships and financial aid packages, research and faculty development, capital expansion and renovations, technology upgrades and lab equipment, library acquisitions, and vital unrestricted support that has allowed Ohio University to meet unexpected challenges.
These generous private gifts have helped the endowment grow to more than $536 million today. In Fiscal Year 2018, distributions from the endowment will total $28 million.
Major capital campaigns at Ohio University
Since 1981 the university has conducted four capital campaigns totaling over $875 million, each time exceeding the campaign goal. The most recent campaign, The Promise Lives Campaign, concluded in 2015 and surpassed the $500 million mark:
The Promise Lives Campaign – $450 million goal / $500 million raised (completed in 2015)
Bicentennial Campaign – $200 million goal / $221 million raised (completed in 2004)
The Third Century Campaign – $100 million goal / $132 million raised (completed in 1994)
The 1804 Campaign – $14 million goal / $22.6 million raised (completed in 1981)
THE POSITION
Ohio University is seeking a talented and experienced development executive with a strong record of accomplishments in fundraising and fundraising administration. Reporting to the President of Ohio University, the Vice President will have broad authority and responsibility for oversight of all aspects of the University Advancement office, including administrative resources, advancement services, alumni relations and development.
Within The Ohio University Foundation, the Vice President will also serve as the President and CEO of the Foundation. As a voting trustee, the President and CEO manages the Foundation board and is the liaison between the Foundation and the broader university community. The President and CEO will also be responsible for oversight of the management of the endowment.
The new Vice President comes to campus at an exciting time with the recent arrival of President Duane Nellis. As part of the executive leadership team, the Vice President will work with President Nellis and the other members of the executive team to help implement Dr. Nellis’ and the Board of Trustees’ vision for the University. In order to help implement this vision, the Vice President needs to have great leadership and communication skills to interact with various campus constituency groups, including academic, athletic and student leaders and organizations, as well as alumni groups throughout the country.
Under President Nellis’ leadership, the University looks forward to continued enrollment growth on the Athens campus, as well as the surrounding regional campuses and centers throughout Ohio and e-learning. The ability to thrive in this growing university also pertains to the Advancement team, as the new Vice President will have the opportunity to make key team hires to build upon an already solid foundation of team members.
Another area of growth includes OHIO’s vast alumni network around the world. This network gives the new Vice President an opportunity to expand the development footprint to include cities in major markets like Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C and Shanghai. The vision for OHIO is to produce alumni to be global leaders. With that in mind, alumni and foundation support will continue to help students and faculty with study away, scholarships, internships, research travel, e-learning and virtual infrastructure for reaching beyond OHIO’s campuses to other countries.
While growth outside of campus is important, understanding the campus and surrounding areas is critical to the success of the Vice President. This position is located on Ohio University’s main campus in Athens, Ohio. This quintessential college town is located along the Hocking River and was voted by the readers of USA Today as one of the best small college towns in the United States (http://athensohio.com/).
This great college town has helped the University’s tremendous growth over the last 10+ years. Student enrollment increased by 42.5% from 2005 to 2015 and this growth continues today due to excellent educational and research programs and innovation, as well as strong support services and a tremendous alumni base.
This is an exciting time to become a Bobcat!
Candidates should have the following experience:
- significant development experience building effective constituency-based development programs, as well as corporate and foundation development programs;
- oversight of the growth and management of foundation financial assets;
- experience in working with university advancement, foundation and alumni offices;
- demonstrated experience and a track record of leading a team, based on and off campus, and cooperating with leadership in a collaborative and results driven environment that enables the team to cultivate donors, and plan, execute and close major gifts and create vibrant alumni networking;
- significant experience with alumni engagement, as well as experience engaging and cultivating new donors from recent graduating classes to promote life-long giving
- demonstrated ability and successful track record in securing significant major and principal six and seven figure gifts;
- successful direct experience in planning or leading major comprehensive campaigns, preferably including a campaign of $500+ Million;
- intellectual depth to translate academic and technical information for a variety of audiences, coupled with an ability to inspire those audiences;
- experience in working and interacting with governing boards and other volunteer leaders;
- successful employee hiring and team development;
- a passion for working and engaging in a college town; and
- a baccalaureate degree
APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS
The University invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, full resume/CV, and contact information of at least five references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University at the email address below. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until an adequate pool is established, or until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted prior to January 5, 2018. Please send application materials to: https://www.parkersearch.com/ohio-vpua
Laurie C. Wilder, President
Porsha L. Williams, Vice President
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2900 | Atlanta, GA 30328
770-804-1996 ext. 118
pwilliams@parkersearch.com | ghiggison@parkersearch.com
Ohio University is an EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Title VI/Title VII/Title IX/504/ADA/ADEA employer.