Vice President for University Advancement

Vice President for University Advancement

The Vice President for University Advancement leads Louisiana Tech University’s efforts in fundraising and alumni relations.  The Vice President engages multiple internal and external constituencies to enhance the University’s impact and to advance the University’s strategic vision.  The Vice President is an executive team member, sits on several advisory boards, and reports directly to the President of Louisiana Tech University. 

The Vice President is the Executive Director of the Louisiana Tech University Foundation and leads a diverse group of professionals across fundraising, engagement, finance, and governance.   The Vice President is also the lead executive for the Alumni Association, the Louisiana Tech Research Corporation, and other external boards as appropriate.   

About Louisiana Tech University
A nationally and internationally recognized research university, Louisiana Tech University has a history of and commitment to creating programs that are the first in their fields, like biomedical and cyber engineering. Louisiana Tech’s partnerships with business, government, and the military help create both academic programs and job development in the I-20 Cyber Corridor. Our vision is to be known as a pre-eminent public research university that provides students an unparalleled learning experience, and our next Vice President for University Advancement will be integral in helping to achieve that vision.

Louisiana Tech offers 79 undergraduate majors, 32 master’s degree programs, and nine doctoral programs. The University has been recognized as one of America’s Top Colleges in Forbes and as the No. 1 college in the state of Louisiana for value in Kiplinger’s. The University has been ranked as a Top Tier research university in US News & World Report for 12 consecutive years and is the only university in the state of Louisiana to be recognized for student engagement and sustainable development in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings.

Our Division of University Advancement has been honored by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for exceptional alumni engagement and fundraising performance. In 2018, Louisiana Tech announced its Forever Loyal Campaign with a goal of $125 million in honor of the University’s 125th anniversary. That goal was met just one year later, and the campaign was completed in early 2021 having raised a total of $171 million to benefit Louisiana Tech’s people, culture, and knowledge creation. Gifts have totaled more than $1 million for each of the past four years on Giving Day, and faculty and staff giving is at an all-time high participation rate.

The University is an economic driver for our region and state, and our campus is a home for new and growing enterprises. The traditional core campus of approximately 280 acres connects with the Enterprise Campus to the heart of Ruston. Louisiana Tech and the City of Ruston continue to work hand in hand to create a healthier and more environmentally responsible community by developing safe pedestrian paths, lighting, sustainable landscaping, bicycle paths, and more.

Learn more about Louisiana Tech latech.edu.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the President in advancing the goals and objectives of the University through appropriate legislative, community, and business relations. 
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with the private and corporate business community.
• Provide supervision, budget planning, event oversight, and accountability for each area within the Division of University Advancement.
• Create a culture of compliance, collaboration, and integrity for the Division of University Advancement, the Louisiana Tech Foundation, and all related organizations.
• Empower and develop the staff of the Division of University Advancement through delegation, education, and communication.
• Serve as advisor to the President in general campus governance through membership in the Administrative Planning Council, the Strategic Planning Committee, the Research Corporation, the University Aesthetics Committee, and projects as assigned by the President.
• Serve as a liaison for the University with the activities of the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Tech University Foundation, the Louisiana Tech Research Corporation, and other affiliated organizations.
• Assist the President and other University administrators in establishing and attaining the University’s priorities for fund raising and advancement goals and objectives consistent with the University’s mission.
• Work with appropriate University personnel and alumni of the University to identify major gift donors, generate prospect research, develop cultivation strategies, and solicit major gifts for the University.
• Work with the President and other University administrators in the management of intellectual properties through the Research Corporation. 
• Supervise activities, events, and programs relating to the University alumni through the alumni association.

Minimum Qualifications
The successful candidate shall possess the following minimum qualifications and characteristics:

• Bachelor’s degree;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Record of successful senior-level experience along with a demonstrated ability to work effectively within an executive leadership team; 
• Proven management skills, in particular goal-setting, supervision, budgeting, and evaluation;
• Ability and willingness to delegate effectively and to hold direct reports accountable;
• A thorough knowledge of fundraising processes and demonstrated fundraising ability;
• Record of exemplary experience working with a higher education or non-for-profit community in an official or advisory capacity;
• Record of demonstrated ability to integrate and lead an effective and complex advancement program;
• Record of collaborative leadership, results-focused prioritization, and decision-making.

Preferred Qualifications
Candidates also should possess the following preferred qualifications and characteristics:

• Advanced degree in a field related to the position’s responsibilities;
• Record of experience with comprehensive capital campaigns, marketing, and public relations;
• Record of demonstrated ability in strategic planning and working successfully with volunteer boards;
• Experience in capital and asset management, negotiations, and assessment;
• Experience in higher education, specifically fundraising in a large complex environment;
• Significant major gift and donor development experience;
• Experience working through government funding processes;
• Demonstrated understanding of financial reporting including target setting, revenue recognition, expenses, budgets, forecasting, income statement, and gap closure;
• Knowledge in current fundraising methodology and regulations;
• Savviness regarding the use of social media and the differences in generational approaches to philanthropy in achieving alumni and advancement goals;
• Appreciation of the heritage and traditions of the Louisiana Tech University Foundation in advancing the university and strongly supporting its role and mission;
• The knowledge, ability, and personal attributes necessary to convey to alumni, friends, corporations, foundations, and other contributors the need, property, and benefit of private giving to institutions of public higher education.

Applicants must apply via the University's website and submit 1) a cover letter outlining relevant experience, 2) a current resumé which includes a chronology of employment, 3) names, telephone numbers, addresses, and e-mail addresses of at least three professional references, and 4) an unofficial copy of your academic transcript from the school from which you received your highest degree.

For questions concerning this position, please contact Ryan Richard at richard@latech.edu.

Louisiana Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/ADA Employer and places a high priority on the creation of an environment supportive of ethnic minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities.