Vice President of Advancement

Grand Canyon University; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Flexible spending account

401K

Paid time off

Holidays

Tuition discount

On-site gym

Free parking

Job summary

Grand Canyon University seeks a senior development professional to lead major gift operations and alumni relations, aligning philanthropic activity with the university's mission. The role manages a portfolio of principal gifts and sponsorships, builds donor relationships, and partners with leadership to grow corporate partnerships and fundraising initiatives across campaigns.

You will leverage CRM insights, oversee prospect management, and collaborate with legal and communications teams to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Minimum of five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in public administration, financial management, philanthropy, marketing, public relations or education.
• An equivalent combination of work experience and education may be substituted upon supervisor’s approval.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements the major giving strategy in support of institutional campaigns for GCU specific academic programs and/or specific university initiatives.
• Manages a portfolio of principal gift and sponsorship prospects.
• Solicits annual contributions; goals to be established.
• Directs the prospect management process: leads and manages a comprehensive pipeline development program of both individuals and corporations.
• Oversees and collaborates with other GCU departments on fundraising initiatives.
• Positions the President to develop donor relationships with potential donors aligned with GCU's mission.
• Strategizes and implements rapid growth strategy for corporate partnerships around GCU’s sports programs.
• Develops and directs a variety of fundraising strategies including major gifts, corporate sponsorships, alumni programs, and annual events.
• Leverages CRM and other software to identify prospects, develop portfolios, and manage the donor process from identification to solicitation.
• Reviews legislation affecting fundraising for higher education and works with legal counsel and senior management to stay informed.
• Supports President and Board with drafting letters, talking points, testimony, and meeting preparation.
• Collaborates with Public Relations to obtain media coverage when warranted.

Skills

Major gifts strategy

Portfolio management

Donor relationship building

Strategic fundraising

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Grand Canyon University! One of Arizona’s leading institutions of higher learning.

Located in the Valley of the Sun in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona. GCU is an institutionally accredited, private, nondenominational Christian University.

A high-profile, front-line position responsible for management of principal and major gift operations, constituent engagement and alumni relations, the cultivation and solicitation of a portfolio of major gift prospects and sponsorships, and the strategic engagement of alumni, strategic engagement of Corporate Partnerships, all in support of the mission and vision of Grand Canyon University.

All responsibilities are presumed to reflect the effective implementation of best practices. Technology will be leveraged as an enabler whenever practical. Internal controls will be installed to ensure that all activities comply with acknowledged standards of fiduciary due care, non-conflicts of interest and confidentiality.

What you will do:

• Alongside the President, develops and implements the major giving strategy in support of institutional campaigns for GCU specific academic programs and/or specific university initiatives.
• Manages a portfolio of principal gift and sponsorship prospects.
• Expectations to visit prospects and to solicit annual contributions; goals to be established.
• Along with the Senior Director of Development, directs the prospect management process: leads and manages a comprehensive pipeline development program of both individuals and corporations.
• Oversees and/or works in concert with other GCU departments in various initiatives for fundraising through various constituencies.
• Positions the President to develop relationships with potential donors who might not have a direct tie to GCU, but are aligned with its mission and vision.
• Alongside the Senior Director of Sponsorships, strategizes and implements a rapid growth strategy for corporate partnerships centered around GCU’s 21 Division 1 sports.
• Develops and directs a variety of fundraising strategies including major gifts, corporate sponsorships, alumni programs, and annual fundraising events.
• Leverages CRM and multiple other software to identify prospects, develop portfolios, and manage the donor process from identification to solicitation.
• Reviews and analyses new legislation affecting fundraising for higher education and works in collaboration with legal counsel and senior management to keep them apprised.
• Supports needs of the President and Board as they relate to fundraising activities, such as drafting letters, writing talking points and testimony and arranging and preparing for meetings.
• Collaborates with Public Relations team to obtain media coverage if warranted and may speak publicly to the media and a range of audiences.
• Contributes to short and long-term organizational and departmental planning and strategy.
• Serves on various GCU committees as needed.

What you need:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Minimum of five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in public administration, financial management, philanthropy, marketing, public relations or education.
• An equivalent combination of work experience and education may be substituted upon supervisor’s approval.

Bonus:

• Master’s degree preferred.

Why work at GCU

• Exceptional workplace benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a flexible spending account, a 401K savings plan
• Generous time off plan and 11 paid holidays
• Paid time off to volunteer in the community or at GCU sponsored events
• Free covered parking
• We also offer full-time employees, their spouses, and dependent children an Education Tuition Discount Program
• Free on-site gyms on campus

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