The client seeks a proven, results-oriented, and mission-driven Vice President for Advancement to lead all fundraising and alumni engagement efforts. This role also serves as president of the university foundation and acts as the chief development and engagement officer. The Vice President will work closely with the foundation’s board of trustees and help build a high-performing advancement operation for a leading urban public research university.
As a senior cabinet leader, the Vice President will build on existing advancement momentum to expand regional impact and strengthen national leadership in educational access. Responsibilities include articulating and advancing an aspirational fundraising vision by expanding and diversifying donor pipelines, strengthening corporate and foundation partnerships, supporting the athletics enterprise, and inspiring authentic engagement across a large and diverse constituent base. The role will lead a team of approximately 100 staff spanning annual giving and alumni engagement, corporate and foundation relations, major and planned giving, athletics, advancement services, and finance and operations, using data-driven strategies to translate insights into actionable growth.
The Vice President will increase the impact and effectiveness of the advancement division and drive success for a comprehensive campaign expected to go public in fall 2026. The ideal candidate will bring at least 10 years of advancement leadership experience in similarly complex institutions, preferably in a research university environment, and will be an inspirational, credible leader with strong integrity and relationship-building skills. The role requires strategic planning, management, communication, and motivation capabilities, a demonstrated understanding of major development and alumni engagement functions and best practices (including campaign experience), and a track record of significant personal results in principal and transformational gifts; a bachelor’s degree is required.