President and CEO of the Ohio University Foundation
Ohio University, the first public university in Ohio and the nation's first land-grant university, has been recognized for its long-standing commitment to student success and the value of the education it delivers. The university has strong forward momentum, having been designated a "Very High Research Activity" doctoral institution in 2022 by the Carnegie Classification (the highest rating for research-focused universities) and experiencing overall success in its teaching, research, and service missions. As OHIO builds on this track record and invests in future opportunities for its students, the university seeks a Vice President for Advancement and President and CEO of the Ohio University Foundation (VPA/CEO) to lead its development and alumni relations operations.
Founded in 1804 and welcoming its first class in 1808, Ohio University is a storied institution with an 1,850-acre main campus, eight regional campuses and satellite learning centers, and a long history of educating a diverse array of students from across the US and around the world. Currently enrolling more than 28,000 students, it also boasts nearly 300,000 living alumni. In addition to its new Carnegie Classification, OHIO welcomed its 23rd "https://www.ohio.edu/president/meet-president-gonzalez">President Dr. Lori Stewart Gonzalez in 2023. President Gonzalez's vision is to reinforce the university's dedication to its core mission and prepare OHIO for a bright future. An indication of that bright future is the fact that OHIO has countered a national trend with record enrollment the past two years. To ensure its long-term success, OHIO is currently in the planning stages of a comprehensive campaign, which will build on the momentum of the last comprehensive campaign which concluded in 2015 having raised more than $500 million in philanthropic gifts.
Reporting directly to President Gonzalez, the new VPA/CEO will have the opportunity to shape this campaign effort, enlist leadership, and guide it from planning through execution. Leading a team of more than 80, the VPA/CEO will also enable new and substantially increased levels of advancement activity and partner closely with the university's deans and other leaders. In addition to the university role of Vice President for Advancement, this individual also serves concurrently as the President and CEO of the Ohio University Foundation, supervising the management of the university's philanthropic assets and serving as chief steward of donor intent.
The successful VPA/CEO candidate will be an experienced fundraiser adept at navigating complex environments and assuming a leadership role in a comprehensive campaign. This executive will understand and commit to an integrated approach to external relations that embraces the efforts of multiple advancement disciplines and the full range of campus constituents, especially the university's deans and other unit leaders. The VPA/CEO will resonate with and model the university's core values of learning and scholarship, individualized attention, shared governance, diversity, integrity, and civic engagement as well as the Ohio University Foundation's core principals, mission, and charter. At least 10 years of progressively responsible managerial experience in development is required, as is a bachelor's degree (with an advanced degree preferred). The VPA/CEO will demonstrate a superior ability to build sincere, lasting, and productive relationships both internally and externally; will work collaboratively within a culture of shared governance; will demonstrate exceptional leadership skills; and will possess superior communications skills.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile available at "https://wittkieffer.com/positions/200042">wittkieffer.com.
WittKieffer is assisting Ohio University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by July 5. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer's candidate portal.
Nominations and inquiries may be directed to Greg Duyck, Mercedes Chacn Vance, and Natalie Song at "mailto:OhioUVPA@wittkieffer.com">OhioUVPA@wittkieffer.com.
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