Vice President of Development

The Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with Chapman University in the search for a Vice President of Development.

Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer, the Vice President of Development will serve as the university’s Campaign Director and lead all fundraising and development activity across Chapman University in support of Chapman’s $500 million comprehensive campaign and pursuant to its strategic plan, Our Path to Greatness. The Vice President will build and lead a team of talented development professionals and will implement best practices to ensure progressive fundraising success. The Vice President will develop and implement a goal-oriented, data-driven, and donor-centric approach to enhance and elevate the university's existing development programs. The Vice President will oversee Legacy Planning, Corporate Giving, Foundation Relations, Prospect Research and Management, College and School Development, Institutional Support, Annual Giving, the Chapman Fund, and Campaign Communications and will partner with Strategic Marketing and Communication, Special Events, Donor Relations, and alumni and parent engagement to create a robust and comprehensive advancement plan that optimizes Chapman’s development efforts. The Vice President will build lasting relationships with a portfolio of high-potential donors and prospects, leading to strong fundraising success. The Vice President will set annual development goals in consultation with the Executive Vice President and will collaborate extensively with university leadership, including the President, Board of Trustees and Board of Governors, to optimize development and stewardship opportunities.

Chapman University is a nationally ranked private institution known for its commitment to excellence through research and innovative teaching, as well as its distinctive approach to personalized education. Located just 15 miles from the beach in Orange, California, Chapman’s main campus is close to industry leaders in fields from science to screenwriting that propel and jumpstart student careers. The Rinker Health Sciences campus serves graduate students in nearby Irvine, California, which is home to numerous hospitals, labs, and medical and pharmaceutical businesses. University facilities offer an array of the latest educational and technological resources, housed in a blend of new, state-of-the-art, and historic buildings. 

Chapman University attracts high-achieving undergraduate and graduate students from across the United States and internationally. Its campuses are home to nearly 10,000 students representing 49 states, two territories, and 82 countries. The 11 schools and colleges of Chapman offer 65 bachelors, 53 master, and six doctoral programs, along with nearly 60 minors and 17 accelerated and bridge programs. Classes are taught by the more than 1,100 dedicated faculty members who are leaders in their fields, including Nobel Prize recipients, MacArthur Fellows, National Medal of Science honorees, former U.S. Supreme Court clerks, and Emmy, Grammy, and Academy Award winners.

Chapman University is ranked in the top 15% of American colleges and universities. According to The Princeton Review, Chapman is an “extraordinary blend of liberal arts, science, and professional programs,” and one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduate education. Chapman also has been identified as a top producer of Fulbright Scholars for three years running and was named one of the top fifty-two “Most Innovative” universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Chapman’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts was named fourth among top American film schools by The Hollywood Reporter. U.S. News & World Report ranked many other schools and programs at Chapman within the top 100 in the nation, including Argyros School of Business and Economics, the School of Pharmacy, the M.S. in Communication Science Disorders, and the Doctorate in Physical Therapy. In 2019, Chapman achieved an important milestone with its elevation to R2 status under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Chapman University will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least ten years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including leadership experience, in a university advancement organization or other complex advancement organization is preferred. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of Chapman University as well as the responsibilities and qualifications presented in the prospectus.

Preference will be given to applications received by May 24, 2023.