Job Description

The East Central University Foundation is the chief philanthropic engine for East Central University (ECU) , a public regional university located in Ada, Oklahoma, committed to academic excellence, student access, and community impact. The foundation’s mission is to secure private resources for the broadest benefit of ECU — its students, faculty, programs, and strategic priorities — and to build a culture of meaningful, long-term philanthropic engagement.

The foundation stewards a substantial investment portfolio that includes endowed funds and donor commitments. According to recent audited financials, the foundation’s invested assets exceed $75 million , reflecting continued growth in donor support, endowments, and scholarships.

Position Summary

The CEO of the East Central University Foundation provides visionary and operational leadership for the foundation’s comprehensive fundraising and advancement efforts. As chief executive, this person is responsible for shaping and executing a strategic philanthropic agenda that expands ECU’s capacity to serve students, support faculty excellence, enhance facilities, and fuel community-focused initiatives. The CEO ensures alignment with the institution’s mission and priorities and represents the foundation with internal and external stakeholders.

This role requires exceptional leadership, strategic planning, fundraising success, relationship management, and the ability to inspire confidence among donors, board members, university leadership, alumni, and community partners — consistent with the expectations for senior advancement leadership found in comprehensive foundation CEO job profiles nationally.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Advancement Leadership

• Lead and refine the foundation’s strategic plan, advancing philanthropic priorities in close partnership with the university president and Foundation Board.
• Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies, including major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, annual giving, and strategic initiatives.
• Serve as a key thought partner with institutional leadership on priorities that intersect with philanthropic support (academic programs, scholarships, capital projects).

Major Gifts & Campaign Leadership

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gift prospects, personally maintaining a portfolio of high-level prospects.
• Drive fundraising campaigns, including feasibility assessments, case development, goal setting, execution, and donor engagement strategies.
• Expand the foundation’s planned giving and endowment programs, aligning donor passions with institutional priorities.

Board Partnership & Governance

• Work collaboratively with the Foundation Board to set fundraising goals, build board capacity, and ensure effective governance and stewardship.
• Prepare board reports and metrics on fundraising performance, strategic progress, and philanthropic trends.
• Provide leadership to foundation committees and support governance best practices that enhance organizational accountability and effectiveness.

Relationship Building & Community Engagement

• Serve as the foundation’s public face, representing ECU in local, regional and national philanthropic forums, business gatherings, alumni events, and community institutions.
• Build and sustain strong alumni relations to activate engagement and giving.
• Partner with community leaders, corporate entities, and civic partners to broaden ECU’s donor base and philanthropic footprint.

Operational & Fiscal Management

• Oversee the COO in execution of foundation operations, including staffing, budgeting, gift processing, donor database management, and compliance with donor intent and legal standards.
• Ensure high-quality donor stewardship and recognition, including personalized acknowledgment, reporting, and impact communication.
• Align development functions with best practices in nonprofit advancement and higher-education fundraising.

Leadership Profile & Competencies

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Exceptional relationship-building skills, with an ability to inspire confidence and engage donors, board members, and institutional leaders in advancing ECU’s mission.
• A proven record of securing gifts, growing philanthropic pipelines, and leading major campaigns or initiatives.
• Strategic vision with results-driven execution and accountability measures.
• Strong organizational leadership with experience managing a team, setting priorities, and overseeing complex operations.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, capable of articulating ECU’s impact and philanthropic narrative effectively.
• A collaborative leadership style, underpinned by integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to ethical fundraising.

Qualifications

Required

• Significant experience in major gift fundraising and leadership development.
• Experience leading teams and collaborating across institutions or enterprises.
• Demonstrated success leading comprehensive fundraising strategies and achieving tangible philanthropic results.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Comfortable in public-facing roles and interactions.

Preferred

• Graduate of ECU or other regional university; ties to and knowledge of the Ada community.
• Prior experience in university advancement, foundation leadership, or donor management.
• A network of philanthropic relationships and understanding of local, regional and national giving landscapes.
• Familiarity with foundation governance and nonprofit best practices.
• An advanced degree is preferred, with particular interest in candidates holding a master’s degree in business administration, public administration, higher education leadership, nonprofit management, or a closely related discipline.

Community & Institutional Context

Ada, Oklahoma, serves as home to ECU and its foundation, offering a strong sense of community and regional engagement. The university benefits from committed alumni, civic leadership, and donor supporters who invest in student success and institutional growth. The foundation’s success is tied to this engagement and the CEO’s ability to strengthen relationships both locally and beyond Ada.

Application Process

Qualified applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and supporting materials to Danielle Ezell at ***email_hidden***.

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