📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Marketing Specialist - Annual Giving
🔹 Company: The Ohio State University
🔹 Location: Longaberger Alumni House (0022), Columbus, Ohio
🔹 Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: May 14, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 office days per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Planning, developing, and executing annual giving fundraising campaign strategies
- Managing a diverse portfolio of independently-owned, complex initiatives
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet revenue goals and ensure strategic alignment
- Applying a strong data-driven approach to set metrics, allocate resources, and evaluate results
- Contributing to advancement by fostering and exhibiting teamwork
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, project management, and cross-functional collaboration to achieve fundraising goals and drive constituent engagement.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute annual giving fundraising campaign strategies to engage diverse constituents
✅ Manage a diverse portfolio of independently-owned, complex initiatives, including acquisition, annual giving, engagement, and cultivation campaigns
✅ Implement multi-channel methods to support large-scale university-wide fundraising initiatives, with a heavy emphasis on digital
✅ Work with Alumni Association and Advancement colleagues, as well as other campus partners, to identify potential fundraising opportunities and coordinate appropriate initiatives
✅ Contribute to advancement by fostering and exhibiting teamwork, participating in internal committees/workgroups as appropriate, and performing other duties as assigned
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of independent project management, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic decision-making to achieve fundraising goals and drive constituent engagement.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
Experience: Two (2) years of annual giving fundraising and/or related program management experience
Required Skills:
- Strong project management skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proficient in Excel and project management tools
- Ability to obtain a passport for international travel
Preferred Skills:
- Master's degree or equivalent experience
- Four (4) years of annual giving fundraising and/or related program management experience
- Experience building and implementing donor and engagement acquisition strategies
- Experience with career management and constituent travel programs
- Experience working with annual giving campaigns and grateful patient fundraising
- Proficiency in CRM systems such as Blackbaud database
- Experience working in higher education
ASSUMPTION: While a Bachelor's degree is required, a Master's degree and additional experience in fundraising or related fields would be beneficial for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $59,500 - $75,000 (Estimated based on industry standards for a Marketing Specialist with 2-5 years of experience in higher education)
Benefits:
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Tuition Assistance
- Retirement Options
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling and remote work options
ASSUMPTION: The provided salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for a Marketing Specialist with 2-5 years of experience in higher education. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and the university's compensation structure.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education
Company Size: 51-200 employees
Founded: 1870 (The Ohio State University was founded)
Company Description:
- The Ohio State University is a large public research university located in Columbus, Ohio
- The Office of Advancement is responsible for fundraising, alumni relations, and constituent engagement
- The Alumni Association is dedicated to building a community of lifelong champions for the university
Company Specialties:
- Fundraising and alumni relations
- Constituent engagement and event planning
- Marketing and communications
Company Website: The Ohio State University
ASSUMPTION: The Ohio State University is a large, well-established institution with a strong focus on research and constituent engagement.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level Marketing Specialist
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Marketing Manager (Alumni Association Constituent Experiences Strategy)
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 office days per week, with flexible scheduling and remote work options)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement within the Office of Advancement or related departments
- Opportunities to gain experience in various aspects of fundraising and constituent engagement
- Possibility to work on high-impact campaigns and initiatives
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the Office of Advancement and the broader university community.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site with hybrid remote work options
Office Location(s): Longaberger Alumni House (0022), Columbus, Ohio
Geographic Context:
- Columbus, Ohio, is the state capital and the largest city in Ohio
- The city offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with a variety of neighborhoods and amenities
- Columbus is home to a vibrant arts and culture scene, as well as numerous parks and recreational opportunities
Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling and remote work options
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring team
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Fundraising and campaign strategy development
- Project management and organizational skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Alignment with the university's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant fundraising and project management experience in your resume
- Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and alignment with the university's mission
- Prepare examples of successful fundraising campaigns or projects you've worked on
ATS Keywords: Annual Giving, Fundraising, Marketing Strategy, Project Management, Constituent Engagement, Higher Education
ASSUMPTION: The application process may involve multiple interviews and assessments to ensure the best fit for the role and the university.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- CRM systems (e.g., Blackbaud database)
- Marketing automation and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Marketo, Salesforce)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in relevant marketing, project management, and CRM tools is essential for success in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Excellence
- Community
- Discovery
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to shifting priorities
- Data-driven and strategic in decision-making
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with the university's core values of integrity, excellence, community, and discovery?
- Are you comfortable working in a hybrid environment, balancing on-site collaboration and remote work?
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and enjoy working on diverse projects?
ASSUMPTION: The university values a diverse and inclusive work environment, and candidates who align with these values and demonstrate a strong work ethic will be successful in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Working with diverse stakeholders and constituents
- Adapting to shifting priorities and demands in a fast-paced environment
- Occasional travel for tours and events
ASSUMPTION: This role may present challenges related to project management, stakeholder communication, and adaptability to change.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other marketing specialist roles, this position places a greater emphasis on fundraising and constituent engagement
- In higher education, this role is similar to other annual giving or constituent engagement marketing positions, but may have a broader scope of responsibilities
- Career progression may involve moving into more specialized roles within fundraising or advancing to management positions
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of marketing and fundraising responsibilities, with opportunities for growth and development within the university.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a multi-channel fundraising campaign to engage alumni and constituents
- Managing a portfolio of projects, including acquisition, annual giving, engagement, and cultivation campaigns
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify potential fundraising opportunities and coordinate appropriate initiatives
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of responsibilities and collaborative nature of the role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most pressing fundraising priorities for the university, and how will this role contribute to addressing them?
- How does this role collaborate with other departments and teams within the Office of Advancement and the broader university community?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the Office of Advancement and the university?
- How does the university support work-life balance for employees, particularly those in hybrid or remote work arrangements?
- What are the most rewarding aspects of working in this role and within the Office of Advancement?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and the university, and provides valuable insights into the work environment and culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the following link: Marketing Associate - Annual Giving
- Customize your resume to highlight relevant fundraising and project management experience
- Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and alignment with the university's mission
- Prepare examples of successful fundraising campaigns or projects you've worked on
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
