Vice President for Advancement

Trine University - Fort Wayne; Angola (IN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Life insurance options

Education benefits

Vacation and Sick Pay

Job summary

A regional educational institution seeks a Vice President for University Advancement to provide strategic leadership for fundraising and alumni engagement. Responsibilities include developing partnerships, increasing donor pipelines, and leading a committed advancement team. The ideal candidate has strong leadership and communication skills, with 5-10 years of experience in fundraising. The role requires on-site presence, with no remote options available. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits offered.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in fundraising and alumni relations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex environment.
• Strong record of success in fundraising programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies for increasing annual fundraising.
• Cultivate and manage donor relationships.
• Lead and manage the advancement team.
• Secure major philanthropic gifts from alumni, corporations, foundations, friends, and partners.
• Oversee annual operating plans, fundraising goals, and detailed strategies to achieve objectives.
• Travel extensively to engage with donors and increase giving to the university.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Fundraising

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related area

Tools

Advancement technology systems

Job description

The role reporting to the President and working closely with the Board of Trustees,the Vice President for University Advancement provides strategic leadership for theUniversity’s ambitious fundraising and alumni engagement goals. The Vice Presidentwill act as a close partner and advisor to the President and collaborate with theUniversity leadership on crafting a strategy and execution plan to increase annualfundraising.

The Vice President is responsible for promoting Trine externally, developing strategicpartnerships across campus and throughout the donor community, creating multi-yearstrategies for new donor pipelines, meeting annual fundraising goals, enhancing currentsystems, recruiting and retaining top talent, and improving alumni outreach and engagementacross all schools and programs.

The Vice President leads development and alumni relations efforts on behalf of theUniversity and will build upon fundraising successes to lead a compelling and collaborativeapproach for fundraising moving forward. Responsible for subject matter expertisein philanthropy and alumni engagement, the next Vice President will keep the Trineleadership and Trustees up to date on current trends, issues, problems, and activitiesin order to facilitate and recommend policy positions concerning development and alumniaffairs. With excellent communication and collaboration skills, the Vice Presidentwill develop strategies, set goals, and direct activities to achieve fundraising andengagement targets.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Embracing a campus culture that is aspirational, flexible, and focused on constantprogrammatic improvement.
• Advancing Trine’s mission, vision, and short and long-term goals by working closelywith the University’s leadership in all phases of advancement and campaign activities.
• Developing and implementing a vision for the Advancement division that will keep pacewith the rapid growth of the University.
• Supporting the University’s President on major strategic initiatives and donor engagementstrategies.
• Creating, directing, administering, and continuously improving development strategies,which include campaign planning and execution, as well as major gifts and plannedgifts for operational, capital, and programmatic needs to advance the strategic directionof Trine.
• Supporting Trine’s mission by securing major philanthropic gifts from alumni, corporations,foundations, friends, and partners.
• Identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors and managing the University’sdonor recognition and stewardship strategy.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of Trine’s fundraising capabilities and keeping the University’sTrustees and senior management informed of developments that may require changes inpolicy, staffing, or organization. This includes monitoring, evaluating, and applyingperformance measurements for development operations, systems, and capabilities, bothwithin the central advancement operation and among fundraising teams across a highlydiverse institution.
• Overseeing the creation of annual operating plans, including program priorities, fundraisinggoals, and detailed strategies for the accomplishment of objectives.
• Collaborate closely with various university departments to ensure alignment and compliancewith institutional policies, state and federal regulations, and donor intent in themanagement and reporting of philanthropic funds and scholarships.
• Ensure effective use of advancement data systems to track engagement, measure outcomes,and inform strategy; use data-driven insights to optimize fundraising effectiveness.
• Seamlessly joining a successful senior leadership team that is focused on sustainedgrowth and continuous improvement.
• Traveling extensively to engage with current and potential donors to increase philanthropicgiving to the University.
• Leading and managing a strong, committed, and hard-working advancement team to ensurethey have the resources they need to continue their success and fulfill their fullpotential
• Increasing and supporting the engagement of academic leadership, deans, and facultyin fundraising and other external resource development.
• Substantially expanding the donor base beyond the current focus on key friends ofthe University and its loyal alumni.
• Strategically and substantively increasing alumni engagement, particularly with agrowing base of younger alumni who will soon be ready to become key donors and friendsof the University.
• Serve as a public ambassador for the university alongside the University’s President,building partnerships with civic, business, and philanthropic leaders to enhance visibilityand support.

Qualifications:

Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills are required. Additionalqualifications include a record of success in managing or participating in fund-raisingprograms and soliciting funds from individuals and corporations, with a working knowledgeof advancement technology systems.

The successful candidate must possess the ability to balance multiple priorities ina fast-paced and complex environment, which includes some evenings, weekends, andtravel as required. This position requires regular, in-person attendance at our Angolacampus. Remote or telecommuting options are not available.

Education & Experience:

A bachelor’s degree in a related area and five to ten years of progressively responsibleexperience directly related to fundraising and alumni relations.

Trine University offers a comprehensive benefit package designed to provide a varietyof choices to best fit your needs and the needs of your family. Benefits offered include:

• Health – medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, flex spending or HSA accounts
• Retirement – after one year of full-time service, you are eligible for employer contributionof 5% and up to an additional 5% employer match
• Life Insurance – a varietyofvoluntary life options are available along with employeelife insurance (1½ times annual salary)
• Education – after 6 months of full-time service education benefits are available foremployee, spouse, and dependent children
• Vacation and Sick Pay – in accordance with Trine's policy

The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Trine University is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered foremployment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, genetic information,citizenship status, military status, or any other basis prohibited by law, unless such basis constitutes a bona fide occupational qualification. Trine will comply with its legal obligation to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and for religious beliefs.