Assistant Director of Development, Community Programs

As the Assistant Director of Development for Community Programs at OHSU Foundation, your main responsibilities include managing a portfolio of partnerships with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, cultivating relationships with partners and volunteers, coordinating fundraising initiatives, and developing program materials in collaboration with internal teams. You will also be responsible for maintaining donor data and supporting reporting needs, ensuring all communications and campaigns align with the organization's mission.

Candidates for the Assistant Director of Development, Community Programs position at OHSU should ideally possess a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Familiarity with program management and related experience in the non-profit or fundraising sector is essential. Additionally, successful candidates should have experience working with volunteers and knowledge regarding community programs and fundraising strategies.

In the role of Assistant Director of Development, you will engage with the community by managing fundraising efforts linked to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. This involves building strong relationships with community partners, coordinating outreach events, and ensuring that fundraising initiatives resonate with community values. Your role will act as a bridge connecting OHSU's mission with community support, enhancing impact across various child health programs.

Success in the Assistant Director of Development role at OHSU Foundation requires strong project management skills, excellent interpersonal abilities, and a proactive approach to communication. Being able to juggle multiple priorities, cultivate meaningful relationships, and communicate effectively with diverse groups of people will be pivotal. Additionally, cultural awareness and a genuine passion for the mission of OHSU are key to thriving in this position.

The OHSU Foundation offers a competitive benefits package for the Assistant Director of Development role including comprehensive medical and dental insurance, a pension program with 12% of your annual salary contributed, generous paid vacation and holidays, professional development funds, and flexible work arrangements. Employees also enjoy a hybrid work environment and early Friday closures during the summer, making it a supportive and fulfilling place to work.

In preparing for this question, reflect on your specific experiences with fundraising, particularly in community settings. Discuss the initiatives you have led, how you engaged stakeholders, and the impact these efforts had on the community. Use data or results to illustrate your success and show your passion for philanthropy.

Share specific strategies you employ to manage multiple priorities. Mention tools or techniques such as to-do lists, project management software, or organizational practices that help you stay on track. Providing examples of past situations where you successfully navigated similar challenges would enhance your answer.

When answering this, choose a situation that highlights your interpersonal skills and adaptability. Explain how you approached the relationship, the steps you took to understand the stakeholder's perspective, and how your efforts led to a positive outcome. Showcasing your communication skills and resilience will be essential.

Discuss your approach to donor engagement by highlighting various communication strategies you would employ, such as personalized outreach, regular updates, and creating impact reports. Mention the importance of gratitude and recognition in establishing long-term relationships with donors. Use examples to show how you have successfully enhanced engagement in the past.

Explain your commitment to cultural awareness and inclusivity by discussing specific practices you implement. This might include adapting communication styles to be sensitive to cultural differences, seeking feedback from diverse groups, and ensuring that your programs reflect community values. Providing examples of how this has shaped your work can make your answer stronger.

Highlight any previous roles where you had responsibility for managing volunteers. Discuss how you recruited, trained, and motivated volunteers to achieve objectives. Share specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, emphasizing your ability to create a positive and productive environment for volunteers.

Discuss the steps you would take in preparation, such as researching the donor's history with the organization, understanding their interests and values, and preparing specific materials that would resonate with them. Highlight the importance of tailoring your communication to their preferences and showing genuine appreciation for their support.

Explain your understanding of how data is utilized in fundraising to track donor engagement, measure success, and identify trends. Discuss experiences where you used data analytics to inform strategies and make decisions, stressing how it can help in enhancing the effectiveness of outreach efforts.

Reflect on your personal values and experiences that draw you to community programs and development work. Discuss any passionate moments that solidified your commitment to helping others, highlighting your desire to make a positive impact through your role at OHSU Foundation.

Share specific metrics and KPIs you consider important in evaluating success, such as donor retention rates, funds raised versus goals, and community engagement levels. Discuss how you use qualitative and quantitative measures to assess and improve your fundraising strategies continually.