Vice President, Institutional Advancement

Adler University; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative institution is seeking a Vice President for Institutional Advancement to lead transformative initiatives in alumni development and fundraising. This role involves strategic oversight of global engagement efforts, building relationships with donors and community partners, and launching impactful fundraising campaigns. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of advancement best practices, and the ability to cultivate strategic partnerships. Join a team dedicated to enhancing the university's mission and social impact, while fostering innovation and growth in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of leadership experience in development or fundraising, ideally in higher education.
• Proven success in securing major gifts and leading fundraising campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Oversee global engagement efforts and enhance alumni relations.
• Design and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies and campaigns.

Skills

Fundraising Strategy

Donor Cultivation

Alumni Engagement

Strategic Leadership

Relationship Management

Data-Driven Decision Making

Grant Management

AI Technologies

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Tools

Donor Management Systems

Job description

Reporting to the University President, the Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VP IA) will serve as a key leader in rebuilding and reimagining the concepts of advancement and alumni development at Adler University (Chicago, Vancouver, and online). The role provides strategic guidance and oversees all global and regional engagement efforts. Primary responsibilities include deepening engagement with students, alumni, and community partners, and launching new initiatives such as a comprehensive fundraising campaign, staffing enhancements, and a redesign of the advancement and alumni functions.

The VP IA will work closely with senior team members, the advancement team, and other stakeholders to embed best practices in donor cultivation, alumni engagement, and philanthropic strategy, ensuring alignment with Adler's mission and long-term goals. Responsibilities also include building a team, designing, and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy covering major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation partnerships, planned giving, and leveraging emerging technologies like AI.

Additionally, the VP IA will collaborate with the President and Board of Trustees to set and meet ambitious fundraising targets, diversify revenue streams, and build systems to strengthen relationships across Adler's global communities. The role includes fostering innovation, expanding grant opportunities, and positioning the Office of Institutional Advancement as a vital contributor to the university's growth, sustainability, and social impact.

Education / Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive leadership experience in development and/or fundraising, preferably in higher education, nonprofit, or related sectors.
• Proven success in securing major gifts, diversifying revenue streams, and leading successful campaigns.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with donors, alumni, corporate partners, and foundations.
• Experience in rebuilding and establishing strategic frameworks for advancement offices, aligning with institutional visions.
• Experience managing multidimensional fundraising functions, including grant management, donor relations, and alumni development.
• Knowledge of advancement best practices, donor management systems, AI technologies, and data-driven decision-making.
• Experience working with Boards of Trustees and understanding of higher education, academic medicine, and healthcare systems.
• Ability to provide strategic guidance and manage global and regional engagement activities.

Alumni & Community Engagement

• Oversee alumni relations and build strategic partnerships with community stakeholders.
• Represent the university at events to enhance visibility and philanthropic outreach.
• Set and track goals for alumni engagement and donor cultivation across global campuses.

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide strategic direction and oversight to the advancement team.
• Collaborate with university leadership to align advancement efforts with institutional priorities.
• Engage with the Board of Trustees and volunteer leaders in fundraising activities.
• Manage the office budget and resources effectively.

Marketing & Communications

• Oversee advancement-related communications, including impact reports and campaigns.
• Enhance the university's brand through storytelling, digital engagement, and events.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform additional duties to support fundraising and engagement objectives.
• Ensure compliance with policies and regulations in all activities.

Characteristics of the Successful Candidate

• Strong fundraising and strategic leadership skills.
• Experience in organizational function design and strategic planning.
• Global mindset, entrepreneurial spirit, and innovative thinking.
• Excellent collaboration, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Effective project and resource management capabilities.
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability skills.
• Research skills and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Willingness to travel at least 30%.

Supervision

The VP IA will assess and structure the advancement team to align with university goals.

Additional Information

Salary range, benefits overview, physical demands, and institutional overview are included in the original description.