Senior Associate Vice President of Development for schools and colleges

At Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), we Make it Real through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees work flexibility, a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work. Explore our benefits further here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and-academic-professional-benefits/

The mission of VCU’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is to maximize philanthropic support by engaging stakeholders with our institution working in partnership with all VCU schools, programs and campuses as one development and alumni relations community and implementing the best practices and efficient strategies to achieve a comprehensive development program.

VCU seeks an experienced, visionary and transformational leader to be its next Senior Associate Vice President of Development for schools and colleges (SAVP) . Reporting to the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations, the SAVP works in close concert with senior leaders from across the institution and is responsible for maximizing philanthropic support for the university’s strategic priorities. The SAVP is responsible for evolving the campus frontline fundraising program from its current stage toward the level of best-in-class among peer institutions. The SAVP will have broad authority to work with university leadership to identify key deliverables and develop the measures of effectiveness that foster a culture of philanthropy at VCU.

In this role you will:
- Serve on the senior leadership team of VCU DAR, as well as the university’s campaign operating committee
- Coach and mentor fundraising professionals of varying experience and accountability
- Develop and manage annual fundraising plans and budgets for teams assigned to constituencies of assigned schools and colleges
- Maintain a portfolio of interdisciplinary principal gift donors that support the strategic needs of the university
- Nurture productive and trusting working relationships with deans and academic directors to develop and support mission-critical priorities
- Uphold university-wide standards for annual fundraiser achievement
- Execute annual fundraising operating plans for assigned schools and units
- Assist staff with navigating a matrixed, complex organization during times of transition and change
- Inform and engage academic leadership on major donor activities, including all cultivation work as well as specific gift activities that involve assigned schools and colleges
- Execute comprehensive campaign activities, projects, and fundraising goals as directed by the Vice President of DAR
- Champion a comprehensive, one-university fundraising strategy
- Serve as counsel for complex and blended gift strategies, in partnership with university- affiliated foundations and volunteers

As a team member, you will:
- Maintain and encourage trusting and respectful professional relationships within the team and throughout DAR and VCU
- Practice appreciative leadership and an outward mindset across teams of varying talents and backgrounds
- Collaborate with peers and stakeholders to instigate and support holistic change in strategy, systems and business processes
- Work in a fast-paced, performance-based professional environment
- Align with DAR’s core purpose and values

Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in increasingly responsible roles in advancement within a large, complex institution
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student environment or commitment to do so as a university professional at VCU
- Demonstrated experience closing principal and major gifts at an institution of higher education
- Demonstrated experience working for an academic leader and successfully executing their fundraising strategy
- Ability to develop in partnership, robust metrics programs that incentivize collaboration and performance
- Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, ethics and practices of successful fundraising including campaign leadership or management experience
- An outgoing and positive personality, strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative working style
- Strong written, oral, and data-analysis skills
- Coaching skills that are consistent with bringing out the best in staff and instilling pride and ownership in a team effort
- Familiarity with technology, software, and digital tools to communicate and engage with others
- Demonstrated ability to execute objectives and goals aligned to the mission of a complex, urban university and the ability to persuasively represent its goals to multiple constituents
- Ability to plan and execute travel for donor visits that may include overnight trips

Preferred qualifications:
- Advanced degree in a related field and significant related experience
- Management experience leading strategy in a complex organization
- Campaign and principal gift planning experience in higher education
- Ability to successfully, routinely, collaboratively close gifts of $1M+
- CFRE certification

Position Details:
Department: Office of Development and Alumni Relations
VCU Job Title: Deputy Development Officer 1-3 (15611-15613)
Salary Range: Commensurate with experience up to $230,000
Employment Type: Executive and Senior Leadership
Restricted Status: Not Restricted
Exemption Status: Exempt
Hybrid Work Available : Yes
FTE: 1.0
ORP Eligible: Yes