Summary of Position: The Vice President for University Advancement serves as the University's chief advancement officer and a member of the President's Cabinet. Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President provides strategic leadership for all fundraising, donor engagement, alumni and constituent relations, university relations, and advancement operations in support of the University's mission and long-term strategic priorities.
The Vice President will lead and execute a comprehensive advancement strategy that strengthens on-going philanthropic support, deepens constituent engagement, elevates the University's public profile, and advances a multi-year comprehensive campaign. The Vice President will serve as a trusted advisor to the President, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership team while building meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, churches, foundations, corporations, and community leaders.
*** NOTE: Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to Gonser Gerber Search at search@gonsergerber.com. To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and three (3) professional references. Nominations and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. References will not be contacted until later in the search process.***
Duties and Responsibilities
- Strategic Advancement Leadership
- Provide vision, leadership, and accountability for a comprehensive advancement program aligned with the University's mission, values, and strategic plan
- Serve as a member of the President's Cabinet and strategic advisor regarding philanthropy, constituent engagement, communications, and external relations
- Develop annual and long-range advancement plans, goals, budgets, and performance metrics
- Foster a culture of philanthropy across the institution and engage faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and friends in advancing the University's mission
- Ensure advancement programs reflect and support the University's Christian identity and commitment to faith-centered education
- Develops and administers the budget for the University Advancement Department
- Comprehensive Campaign Leadership
- Provide executive leadership for a multi-year comprehensive fundraising campaign
- Partner with the President, campaign leadership volunteers, and Board members to secure transformational philanthropic investments
- Develop campaign strategies, goals, volunteer structures, prospect pipelines, and stewardship initiatives
- Monitor campaign progress and provide regular reports to institutional leadership and governing boards
- Lead campaign planning, implementation, and successful completion while building sustainable fundraising capacity for the future
- Major and Principal Giving
- Provide strategic oversight for major and planned giving programs
- Maintain a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and donors
- Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward significant philanthropic commitments in support of institutional priorities
- Partner with the President and key volunteers in developing and executing donor strategies
- Ensure robust systems for prospect identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
- Expand support from individuals, churches, foundations, and corporate partners
- Annual Giving Leadership
- Provide strategic oversight for all annual giving programs
- Develop integrated, multi-channel strategies to increase donor participation, retention, and annual philanthropic support
- Strengthen leadership annual giving, alumni giving, parent giving, faculty/staff giving, and digital engagement initiatives
- Establish measurable goals and metrics that grow the University's donor pipeline and future major gift prospects
- University Relations and Communications
- Provide strategic oversight for University Relations efforts, including alumni engagement, public relations, marketing communications, and constituent outreach
- Strengthen relationships with alumni, churches, community leaders, and strategic partners
- Ensure effective communication of the University's mission, achievements, and impact to key audiences
- Collaborate with institutional leaders to enhance the University's visibility, reputation, and brand
- Advancement Services and Operations
- Provide oversight for advancement services, including:
- Advancement technology and CRM management
- Prospect research and prospect management
- Gift processing and reporting
- Advancement data integrity and analytics
- Donor stewardship and recognition programs
- Campaign and fundraising reporting systems
- Ensure the advancement enterprise operates efficiently, with strong policies, procedures, and performance measures in cooperation with the Chief Information Officer of Information Technology
- Utilize data and analytics to inform strategic decision-making and fundraising effectiveness
- Board and Volunteer Engagement
- Partner with the President and Board of Trustees to advance philanthropic priorities
- Support advancement-related Board committees and volunteer leadership structures
- Recruit, train, and engage volunteers who can support fundraising, campaign leadership, and constituent engagement efforts
- Team Leadership
- Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and professional development for advancement staff
- Build and maintain a highly collaborative, mission-driven, and results-oriented advancement team
- Establish clear expectations, accountability measures, and professional growth opportunities
- Supervisory Responsibilities Supervisory responsibility over staff hires (makes hiring decisions), oversees staff work (directs work activities), and evaluates staff work (completes performance reviews/addresses performance concerns)
Qualifications: According to Indiana Wesleyan University employment policy all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.
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IWU Kingdom Diversity Statement
IWU, in covenant with God's reconciling work and in accordance with the Biblical principles of our historic Wesleyan tradition, commits to build a community that reflects Kingdom diversity. We will foster an intentional environment for living, teaching and learning, which exhibits honor, respect, and dignity. Acknowledging visible or invisible differences, our community authentically values each member's earthly and eternal worth. We refute ignorance and isolation and embrace deliberate and courageous engagement that exhibits Christ's commandment to love all humankind.
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