the client seeks a dynamic, proven leader to serve as the Associate Vice President for Fundraising Priorities (AVP). This is a senior, highly collaborative role within a high-performing university advancement organization, focused on driving momentum for capital and restricted fundraising efforts. The AVP provides strategic vision and direction and serves as a key member of the advancement senior leadership team.
The AVP will shape the university’s philanthropic priorities by leading the process that defines fundraising initiatives. Responsibilities include partnering with faculty and administrative leaders to articulate compelling cases for support and ensuring an effective donor-gift journey from initial vision through engagement, solicitation, documentation, and stewardship. The AVP works closely with senior university leadership and academic stakeholders to advance initiatives aligned with the university’s strategic framework.
The ideal candidate is an innovative strategist and exceptional communicator with demonstrated experience navigating complex academic environments. They will bring strong judgment, management and interpersonal skills, and rigorous analytical capabilities, along with a deep commitment to the mission of liberal arts education and the university’s teaching and research enterprise. Qualifications include a minimum of ten years of professional higher education, academic administrative, or development-related leadership experience, a bachelor’s degree, and strong strategic planning and project management skills; an advanced academic degree at the doctoral or master’s level, or an advanced degree in another applicable field, is strongly preferred.