Full-time Administrative: Executive Director of The Lakeland Foundation

Full-time Administrative: Executive Director of The Lakeland Foundation 

Lakeland Community College invites interested and qualified applicants to apply for the position of Executive Director of The Lakeland Foundation.  

Lakeland Community College, founded in 1967, was the first college in Ohio created by a vote of the people. True to our mission, Lakeland provides quality learning opportunities to meet the social and economic needs of the community, offering day, evening, weekend and online classes. See About Lakeland. 

The Lakeland Foundation, established in 1982, is an institution-adjacent, 501(c)3 organization governed by a Board of Directors. It is a fundraising entity for scholarships, initiatives, programs, and priorities at Lakeland Community College. The Foundation also serves the College’s alumni association.   

Reporting to the President of the College and working closely with the Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, the Executive Director of the Lakeland Foundation will provide leadership for and is responsible for all aspects of the College’s philanthropic initiatives. This position will carry key responsibilities for fundraising and relationship-building across all College’s external and internal stakeholders. The position will also be responsible for working collaboratively with the Foundation’s Board of Directors and will have leadership and management oversight of the Foundation’s staff. The individual in this position must be a highly motivated, achievement-driven, strategic thinker, with the highest personal integrity, strong work ethic, and a passion for the community college mission. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Craft long-term philanthropic strategy aligned with the College’s mission, vision, Key Performance Indicators, and other strategic priorities established by the College. 

• Serve as the principal gifts officer, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors consistent with the funding needs of programs and initiatives across the College, working closely with the College President. 

• Forge innovative partnerships with external organizations to secure new funding sources and support existing funding needs. 

• Build long-term relationships with corporations, community and civic organizations across Northeast Ohio and Lake County and initiate mutually beneficial partnerships. 

• Maintain visibility and engagement for the College with its alumni base. 

• Proactively engage with and manage the Foundation Board of Directors. 

• Provide strategy for all fundraising communications and Foundation brand-building. 

• Oversee the Foundation’s processes for donor communications and recognition and uphold the highest standards for donor intent. 

• Serve as an external ambassador for the Foundation and College within Northeast Ohio and the State of Ohio’s community college sector. 

• Work with the accounting staff in the college’s Finance department to ensure timely and accurate reporting of donations and to provide regular financial reports to the Foundation Board and College President. 

• Provide leadership for and oversee Foundation staff and create and manage the annual budget for the Foundation. 

• Ensure compliance with the Foundation’s Code of Regulations and College policies and procedures regarding fundraising. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required, master’s preferred. 

• At least five years of relevant experience in fundraising, with demonstrated success in individual giving and securing principal gift support from a portfolio of individual, foundation, and corporate donors. 

• Demonstrated success in closing major gifts. 

• Demonstrated staff management experience is essential. 

• Experience working with non-profit boards and diverse stakeholders is also essential. 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• A self-starter with the skill and ability to work in a self-directed manner. 

• An ability to develop creative, “big thoughts” and identify realistic paths to achieve their success. 

• Skill and ability to thrive in a dynamic, team-based, and ever-evolving environment. 

• A natural collaborator with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse group of external and internal constituencies. 

• The ability to persuasively communicate the importance of a community college within the higher education ecosystem and specifically impress upon audiences the needs and opportunities of Lakeland’s students. 

• Strong communication and presentation skills. 

• Penchant for attention to details. 

• Tolerance for ambiguity. 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 

• This is a 12-month, full-time, exempt position. The annual salary is within the pay grade 8 range of the administrative and supervisory/professional salary schedule with an anticipated hiring range of $90,000 - $120,000.  The position’s starting salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

•  The College offers generous benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, vacation and personal days, along with holiday and sick time. See Compensation for Administrators. 

• College business hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. This position is eligible for one remote workday per week following the satisfactory completion of the six-month probationary period. 

APPLICATION PROCESS  

Interested candidates should apply for this position through the college’s Human Resources website. Please be prepared to do the following: 

• Complete all questions in the application (*please read the note below) 

• Attach a current resume and a cover letter summarizing your interest and qualifications for this position. 

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, interested candidates are encouraged to apply by January 31, 2025, to assure full consideration. 

*To avoid difficulties when submitting your application, be sure your web browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer) is updated to the latest version and allow yourself sufficient time to complete the application since you WILL NOT be able to save a partially completed application and work on it later. 

Lakeland Community College is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without attention to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.  Lakeland Community College is committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.  If your disability requires special accommodation to participate in the application/interview process, contact the Human Resources Office at 440-525-7555.