Vice President for University Advancement
- Employer
- Colorado State University
- Location
- Fort Collins, Colorado
- Salary
- $375,000 - $400,000
- Date posted
- Aug 30, 2024
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- Position Type
- Administrative, Business & Administrative Affairs, Development & Advancement
- Employment Type
- Full Time
Located in the beautiful town of Fort Collins, Colorado, CSU is a premier land-grant university with world-class programs in education, outreach, and research. CSU has a student body of over 34,000 students, 7,400 employees, 250,000 living alumni, and annual research expenditures of roughly a half-billion dollars. Guided by the five supporting Principles of Community: Inclusion, Integrity, Respect, Service, and Social Justice, the University constantly pursues its mission and vision of access, research, teaching, service, and engagement.
Within CSU, the Division of University Advancement is integral to achieving and sustaining the University’s institutional excellence through fundraising and engagement efforts. Our purpose is to connect our alumni, friends, industry partners, and foundations with the university to raise necessary financial support to advance the University’s mission and vision. With one of the leading development teams in the country, the Division most recently reached its $1 billion fundraising campaign goal 19 months ahead of schedule.
The Vice President for University Advancement (VPUA) maintains a deep commitment to CSU’s tradition and innovation in order to engage alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations to raise the financial support necessary to advance the University’s mission and vision. They lead the team that builds relationships and connects donors and their unique interests to Colorado State University’s (CSU’s) students, faculty, and programs. Private support is integral to CSU’s mission by providing access to leading faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge research, financial support, student support and programs driven by industry demand.
The VPUA oversees the four areas of advancement: alumni relations, development (including the college/unit development teams), central advancement services and constituent engagement. The VPUA will manage the leaders in these areas to integrate their distinct goals and strategic plans into a comprehensive advancement initiative.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a robust advancement strategy that aligns with the university’s strategic goals and enhances its fundraising capacity. Engage effectively with a range of internal (faculty, academic and administrative leadership) and external constituents in a variety of settings to which build trust, inspire confidence, and motivate others.
- Donor Relations: Cultivate and maintain relationships with alumni, potential supporters, and donors at all levels, ensuring effective engagement and stewardship.
- Fundraising Campaigns: Oversee the planning and execution of major fundraising campaigns, including capital campaigns, annual giving programs, and special initiatives.
- Team Management: Lead and mentor a team of 150+, fostering a culture of achievement and excellence. Attract and retain top talent.
- Collaboration: Serve as a key member of the President’s Cabinet, working collaboratively with high-performing University leaders to reach shared goals.
- Publicity: Represent the university at events and meetings, effectively communicating its vision, needs, and achievements to diverse audiences. This will require 30-50% travel.
- Reporting: Provide regular updates to stakeholders on fundraising progress and financial metrics.
Required Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree required
- Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in advancement, fundraising or related areas in higher education or at a comparable environment, with at least 5 of those years in as a senior leader. Candidates should also have held a senior leadership role in a $1B fundraising campaign.
- Skills: Proven track record of successful major gift fundraising, strategic planning, and team leadership. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; a strong storyteller who can inspire diverse constituencies to engage with, and support, an organization.
- Knowledge: Deep understanding of current trends and best practices in advancement and philanthropy. Demonstrated experience in the design, implementation, and management of a sophisticated advancement program (including prospect research and portfolio/moves management, annual giving, major and planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, endowment, alumni engagement, stewardship, advancement infrastructure and operations, and volunteer leadership) or relevant experience in developing and growing a resource-development program in relevant field.
- Attributes: Strategic thinker, results-oriented, with understanding of and commitment to the legal and ethical aspects of fundraising; highest integrity.
Interested applicants, please follow the link below to review the full posting and apply: https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/150224.
CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
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