Sr. Director of Development, School of Law
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Main Campus, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
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Opening at: Apr 28 2026 - 09:00 CDT
VP Area: Advancement
Department: Advancement
FLSA Status: Exempt
Benefit Eligibility: Yes
The Sr. Director of Development for Law manages a portfolio of law school alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations for qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding charitable gifts in support of the School of Law. The senior director is responsible for meeting key fundraising metrics, including dollars raised and number of meaningful personal contacts, while building and advancing strong relationships with donors and prospective donors.
This position is a part of the university’s front-line fundraising team, reports to the Vice President for Advancement, and works collaboratively with the Dean of the School of Law, law school faculty and staff, and members of the Advancement team.
- A minimum of four years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required:
- Front-line, fundraising, development, or donor relations
- Sales, account management, business development, or client relationship management
Preferred Qualifications:
- Five or more or more years of professional experience is preferred.
- Development and Fundraising
- Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward five, six, and seven figure gifts that align donors' philanthropic interests with the School of Law's needs and strategic priorities.
- Manage a dynamic portfolio of approximately 150 law school donors and prospective donors using relationship-based fundraising strategies.
- Facilitate a required average minimum of 15-20 OCU-oriented, substantial, personal visits per month with law school alumni, donors, and prospects.
- Develop and execute travel schedules to meet with alumni and donors based on geographic assignments and strategic priorities.
- Based on funding priorities, establish annual fundraising goals and achieve metrics set by the Vice President for Advancement.
- Lead funding priority campaigns and projects for the School of Law as identified by law school and university leadership.
- Work collaboratively with the Dean of the School of Law, law school faculty, Advancement team members, and volunteers to cultivate and solicit donors.
- Assist in developing and soliciting corporate and foundation sponsors for the School of Law, including identification, proposal development, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Law School Alumni and Donor Engagement
- Serve as the primary development liaison to the School of Law, building strong relationships with the Dean, faculty, staff, and students.
- Leverage JD credential and legal knowledge to engage authentically with law school alumni and the broader legal community.
- Support law school alumni engagement activities in collaboration with the university's Alumni Relations team.
- Participate in law school events, programs, and initiatives to develop familiarity with the school's mission, opportunities, and needs.
- Donor Relations and Stewardship
- Determine and manage appropriate and effective cultivation and solicitation strategies for each prospect in the portfolio.
- Work closely with donor relations staff to create and implement stewardship plans for law school donors.
- Maintain accurate and timely records of all donor contacts, proposals, and gift commitments in Raiser's Edge database.
- Prepare briefing materials, proposals, and gift agreements as needed for donor solicitations.
- Collaboration and Communication
- Coordinate fundraising activities with the Assistant Vice President for Development and other advancement team members to ensure strategic alignment and avoid duplication of effort.
- Communicate regularly with the Dean of the School of Law regarding fundraising progress, opportunities, and challenges.
- Participate in University Advancement staff meetings, training, and professional development activities.
- Assist with University Advancement special events and initiatives as determined by the Vice President for University Advancement.
- Demonstrate an attitude and behavior that reflects the mission and values of the university and the advancement division. - (Essential)
- Support activities as needed for university-wide advancement initiatives. - (Marginal)
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Demonstrate a strong background in communication and fundraising, with proven experience in donor relationship management.
- Highly energetic and a collaborative team player, passionate about helping donors achieve their philanthropic goals.
- Proactive, self-motivated, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, enabling effective engagement with diverse stakeholders including attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal professionals.
- Ability to leverage JD degree and legal training to build credibility and rapport with law school alumni and the legal community.
- Ability to uphold the highest standards of personal and professional integrity and professionalism.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary to fulfill job responsibilities.
- Deep understanding of the gift cycle, with hands-on experience managing each stage effectively.
- Strong familiarity with the Donor Bill of Rights and demonstrated donor-centered approach in all interactions.
- Demonstrated ability to manage confidential information with discretion and integrity.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, and consistently meet deadlines.
- Composed and professional in handling high-pressure situations and complex donor negotiations.
- Proficient in operating computers, printers, and multifunction office equipment, as well as relevant software including donor databases.
- Understanding of law school culture, legal education, and the unique challenges and opportunities in law school fundraising.
- Familiarity with planned giving concepts and major gift structuring.
- Experience working with boards, volunteers, or alumni associations.
- Knowledge of higher education advancement best practices and ethical standards.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
- Work is primarily indoors, but requires the incumbent to be in an outdoor environment when traveling between campus buildings or off campus.
- Standard office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Attendance at evening and weekend events is required; flexible work schedule may be required.
- Off-campus, state, regional, and national travel is required to meet with law school alumni and donors.
- Incumbent will be exposed to frequent noise caused by telephones and office machines.
