Assistant Vice President for Engagement

BlueSteps Connect; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

BlueSteps Connect in the United States is seeking an Assistant Vice President for Engagement to lead an integrated engagement program that unites marketing, events, donor relations, and stewardship to advance fundraising and campaign objectives.

The leader will blend entrepreneurial thinking with collaborative leadership to deliver a best-in-class donor experience, shaping engagement strategy in a complex higher education environment.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership capabilities with strategic vision.
• Experience integrating multiple engagement functions into a cohesive program.
• Ability to connect institutional priorities to donor-facing outcomes.
• Experience in higher education philanthropy is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead an integrated engagement program across marketing/communications, events, donor relations, and stewardship.
• Set direction and oversee execution across platforms to advance fundraising and engagement goals.
• Support the client’s comprehensive campaign objectives.
• Report to the Vice President for University Advancement.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and provide program leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic vision

Cross-functional coordination

Fundraising experience

Job description

The client is seeking an Assistant Vice President for Engagement to lead an integrated engagement program that brings together marketing/communications, events, donor relations, and stewardship. This role will set the direction and oversee execution across a range of platforms to help advance the client’s fundraising and engagement goals, including support for its comprehensive campaign objectives.

The successful leader will be an experienced, creative, and entrepreneurial executive who builds collaborative teams and delivers a best-in-class donor experience with a forward-looking mindset. The position will play a key role in shaping engagement strategy within a complex higher education environment, with an emphasis on the human side of philanthropy and the ability to connect institutional priorities to donor-facing outcomes.

Qualified candidates will bring strong leadership capabilities, strategic vision, and a track record of integrating multiple engagement functions into a cohesive program. The role is expected to report to the Vice President for University Advancement and will support the client’s broader mission through effective engagement planning, cross-functional coordination, and program leadership.