Director of Development - OSU Cattle & Grain Club

Full-Time • Stillwater, OK

Vision:

Develop the OSU Cattle and Grain Club to help fund both the Ferguson College of Agriculture and the OSU Alumni Association.

Mission:

Kindle Farmers and Ranchers passions to provide gifts to both the Ag College and the OSU Alumni Association through the gift of cattle and/or grain.

Department Purpose:

Raise private support for the Ferguson College of Agriculture and the Alumni Association through gifts of cattle and or grain.

Primary Purpose:

Under the direction of the President of OSU Alumni Association, the individual in this position will solicit private support from alumni, friends, and corporations, in the livestock and grain industry.

The Director of Development supports the core business of securing and stewarding private gifts by expanding gifts throughout this business sector. 

Key Areas of Focus:

Gift Fundraising-

• Responsible for independently performing identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects with an emphasis on prospects willing to set aside a portion of the sale of their herd and or crop through both in-home and contact at sales and other Ag related events including community functions.

• Facilitate relationships between potential and current donors to build a strong base of support for the gift of both livestock and or grain at the time of sale to support both Ferguson and the OSU Alumni Association.

• Maintain an active schedule of contacts, solicitations, and stewardship activities for a body of key prospects within this industry.

• Build relationships with sale owners and the people that use them so that you become known to all and to help make everyone aware and interested in the OSU Cattle and Grain Club.

• Give recognition to everyone that becomes a member to be sure the program develops and continues to grow and thrive.  

• Conduct a minimum of 50 personal visits with donors, prospective donors, at sales and at their farm and or ranch to solicit gifts.

• Travel locally, regionally, and nationally as appropriate for donor management and to attend sales.

• Report and track fundraising progress through the use of contact reports, prospect management and other communication tools to ensure efficient and effective communication.

Guide & Advance Funding Priorities-

• Provide strategic direction for assigned fundraising priorities and plan strategies for priority prospects.

• Sustain annual fundraising production with goals established annually.

• Perform and evaluate fundraising tasks and/or projects with appropriate supervision.

Donor Engagement and Stewardship-

• Develop and engage volunteers, donors, and colleagues in productive long-term relationships.

• Develop and execute engagement and stewardship plans for specific assigned prospects.

• Provide volunteer leadership and management as directed.  

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Job Competencies and Experience:

Education & Certifications-

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Agriculture, business, marketing, or related field required.

Experience-

• 1 to 3 years in the ag industry and a comfort with asking for gifts to help support the Ferguson College of Agriculture and the OSU Alumni Association.

• Exposure and comfort in the process of preparing and selling both livestock and crops in the marketplace.

• Proven sense of humor and ability to have fun.

• Understands and speaks the language of individuals in this line of work, must be relatable to farmers and ranchers.

• A demonstrated passion for the Ag industry.

Organizational Competencies-

• Effective Communication: Listens well and highly persuasive in communications; presents ideas in a manner which actively engages others; takes action to reduce communication barriers, diffuses conflict before it starts and works proactively to create and maintain effective communication across and within the organization; successfully carries out crucial conversations.

• Execution & Initiative: Holds himself or herself accountable for achieving standards of excellence and results for the organization; seeks out understanding of both donor needs and internal processes; continuously pursues improvement of the organization’s performance by enhancing business processes, systems, teams, facilities or equipment; takes charge in a crisis and effectively maneuvers through complex situations and makes tough decisions in a timely manner.

• Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates commitment to employee engagement and leverages programs and tools to build business plans and monitor progress, builds trust and relationships internally and externally and uses relationships to create results; is able to message appropriately, maintaining confidentiality; excels in maneuvering in a complex environment.

• Problem Solving/Judgment: Understands and reinforces use of approved policies and procedures to ensure compliance. Looks broadly across multiple lines of business to identify opportunities and proactively solve problems and implement solutions, challenges assumptions, bases decisions on the right mixture of data analysis as well as wisdom and experience.

• Adaptability/Flexibility: Partners with other colleagues to explore implications of shifting dynamics; communicates in an effort to engage team members and partners in change efforts

• Courage & Conviction: Takes responsibility for outcomes regardless of success and learns from all results; creates an environment where failure is seen as an opportunity for learning; practices ethical decision making and encourages the same in others; has the courage to hold others accountable for their actions and decisions.

Physical Requirements:

Must use a computer terminal and view a computer screen for extended periods of time.  Must talk in person or by phone (frequently and sometimes for extended periods) to farmers and ranchers at their farms and ranches as well as at sales barns throughout the territory as well as people on campus and across the country.  Must constantly use visual acuity to check printed and designed materials of various types.  Typical office working conditions as well as comfort on location at farms, ranches, and sales. Ability to regularly travel regionally and nationally.

Learn more and apply here.