Vice President for University Advancement

CLevelCrossing • Worcester, MA, United States • $200k - $250k / year • 1m ago

Vice President for University Advancement

Location: Worcester, MA, United States

Posted on: Jan 27, 2022

Profile

The Vice President for University Advancement is responsible for providing leadership and building a development program reflective of Assumption's new status as a University. The Vice President will provide day-to-day management of a department that includes major gifts and planned giving, development, alumni relations, and advancement services, and will bring best practices to the role to help ensure that the University has a best-in-class Advancement team that will identify, engage, and inspire donors at all levels.

This senior leader will set ambitious, clear, and achievable goals, and inspire the staff to meet and exceed expectations. Active in the University and surrounding community, the Vice President personally participates in the identification, solicitation, and stewardship of major gifts.

Fundraising

Oversee all Advancement activities to meet and exceed annual and campaign goals and increase alumni participation rates;
Provide guidance and creative ideas around volunteer leadership, especially as it relates to strategies for broadening the base of support and engaging new prospects;
Partner with the University President and Board of Trustees to effectively engage donors and prospects;
Personally manage a targeted portfolio of prominent donors and prospects;
Represent the University through personal interactions and group functions with alumni, parents, and friends while promoting an institutional culture of philanthropy;
Ensure the effective, useful, and thoughtful building of technology, systems, processes, and measurements to monitor, project, and guide fundraising results and activity;
Evaluate advancement program areas to be sure that industry standards and best practices are met; institute change as needed.

Leadership

Play a key leadership role as a member of the University Cabinet;
Engage in the school-wide activities and be a visible and energized member of the Assumption community;
Lead and inspire the Advancement team of 10, with 4 direct reports;
Develop a system of metrics and strategies for measuring progress toward goals and evaluating overall performance;
Direct and evaluate all donor stewardship activities to ensure donors are appropriately recognized and informed of their philanthropic impact;
Coach each team to build effective strategies, achieve team and individual goals, engage donors, develop best practices, and strengthen the pipeline of future donors;

Applicants must be willing to contribute actively to the mission of the University as well as show respect for the Catholic and Assumptionist identity of Assumption University.

Requirements

Seasoned professional with direct fundraising leadership experience in an equivalent role, preferably in higher education, within a complex fundraising structure;
A master's degree is required;
Superior leadership and communication skills;
Demonstrated commitment to the value of Catholic higher education, the liberal arts, and the opportunities the mission provides for fundraising and the cultivation of donors;
Demonstrated experience managing staff and multiple responsibilities and projects with a collegial, team-building approach;
A thorough understanding of best practices strategies in advancement services and fundraising, with demonstrated success with annual funds, major gifts, alumni relations, estate and planned gifts, corporate and foundation fundraising;
Experience working with Deans in developing fundraising goals and initiatives in support of the priorities of each school at the University;
Experience collaborating with the Athletic Department and staff in raising funds to support the athletic program and facility improvements;
An understanding of the importance of technology for fundraising and leveraging social media in the engagement of alumni to support the University;
A record of identifying new donor prospects, cultivating the alumni base, and increasing the alumni participation rate, especially among younger alumni;
An in-depth understanding of budgets and financial records associated with a comprehensive advancement program;
The ability and confidence to develop and cultivate relationships with established and prospective donors, including the solicitation of seven-figure gifts;
A demonstrated track record in planning and executing successful fundraising activities and campaign management, including goal setting, implementation of strategies, and identification of new donors;
The willingness and ability to travel as needed;
COVID Vaccine and Booster, required.

Additional Information

At Assumption, Catholic and Augustinian roots facilitate, in a unique way, the development of a community that reflects the richness of our diverse world. Assumption University seeks to nurture and is deeply committed to a community, in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church, in which the human dignity of every member of the University is protected, promoted, and celebrated.