Vice President of Advancement
Full time, 12-months
The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Vice President for Advancement provides leadership for all fundraising and constituent
engagement activities that support the mission and strategic priorities of Bluffton
University. This position directs a comprehensive advancement program, including annual
giving, major and planned gifts, corporate and foundation relations, and alumni and
parent engagement.
The Vice President is responsible for developing and executing strategies that build philanthropic support and foster lifelong relationships between the university and its alumni, donors, and community partners. The Vice President serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet and staff representative to the Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Leadership:
- Serve as member of the President’s Cabinet.
- Direct, supervise, and mentor staff in Advancement, Alumni Relations, and Development.
- Provide leadership and oversight for all fundraising initiatives, including comprehensive campaigns.
- Develop and implement strategies to strengthen alumni, donor, and community engagement.
- Partner with the President and Board of Trustees on cultivation and solicitation of major and planned gifts.
- Serve as staff liaison to the Board’s Advancement Committee.
- Set a tone of professionalism, accountability, and mission commitment within the Advancement team.
- Fundraising and Donor Engagement
- Design and implement a comprehensive advancement plan that includes annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and corporate and foundation support.
- Establish fundraising goals and track progress toward annual and campaign objectives.
- Maintain a portfolio of major donors with annual fundraising goals of $1M+ through relationship management. Travel anticipated to be at least 30% of working schedule.
- Responsible for meeting annual fundraising goals.
- Coordinate and support the President’s role in donor cultivation and stewardship.
- Develop and maintain relationships with alumni, parents, friends, and organizations to increase philanthropic support.
- Provide oversight for advancement recognition programs and donor reporting.
- Financial Oversight
- Ensure appropriate stewardship and reporting of gifts.
- Oversee policies and procedures for prospect management, donor records, and gift accounting in coordination with Finance and Advancement Services.
- Alumni and Community Relations
- Strengthen the university’s alumni engagement strategy, including events, communications, and volunteer leadership.
- Partner with alumni to expand mentoring, networking, and career opportunities for students and graduates.
- Represent Bluffton University in the community and in professional advancement organizations.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum:
- Education/Certification:
- Master’s degree in Business, higher education, or equivalent.
- Has a record of active involvement in professional higher education enrollment associations.
- Experience:
- Ten years of successful experience in higher education.
- Preferred experience in enrollment, financial aid, advancement, communication and marketing or alumni relations.
- Skill/Abilities:
- Proven and enthusiastic mentor, comprehensive marketing philosophy, technologically proficient, leads with vision in harmony with the University’s greater vision.
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects and assignments in consultative, efficient and effective manner with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrate a commitment to excellence and the ability to work comfortably and communicate effectively at all levels of the organization, including at the Board level.
- Demonstrated proficiency in the Microsoft Office software suite.
- Appreciation for and understanding of the importance of brand equity.
- Successful marketing experience including a record of continuous learning and an understanding of changing patterns of target audiences.
Physical Demands/Work Environment: The physical demands and/or work environment encountered by the employee while performing the essential responsibilities of this job must be met with or without reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodations will be considered and implemented when possible to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities of this position. Secondary responsibilities may be removed when needed as an accommodation strategy.
- Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to handle or operate office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and occasionally stand, walk, and lift or move up to 20 pounds. The position requires the ability to travel by automobile and commercial air for donor visits, events, and professional meetings. Extended periods of computer work and occasional evening and weekend responsibilities are expected. - Work Environment:
The work environment is primarily a professional office setting on Bluffton University’s campus, with frequent off-site travel for donor engagement, alumni events, and university functions. The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate. During travel, the employee may experience varied work environments including conference facilities, event venues, airports, and other public or private locations.
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
Applications are considered complete when the following materials are received at
the office indicated below:
- Letter of interest
- Resume
- Completed Bluffton employment application
Send application materials to:
Human Resources
Bluffton University
1 University Drive
Bluffton, OH 45817-2104