VP of Advancement

University of Indianapolis; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Indianapolis seeks an energetic advancement leader to build on momentum and advance philanthropic support. Reporting to the President, the Vice President for University Advancement will lead a high-impact fundraising program, cultivate major gifts, and expand external partnerships.

Based in Indianapolis, this role requires travel and close collaboration with senior leadership, board of trustees, and faculty to translate strategic priorities into generous support for the

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in higher education or major nonprofit advancement.
• Proven track record of securing seven-figure gifts from individual donors.
• Experience building and managing relationships with high-net-worth donors.
• Experience working with senior management to close major gift solicitations.
• Understanding of complex gift agreements and long-term impact.

Responsibilities

• Front-Line fundraising and major gifts portfolio management.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to solicit major gifts.
• Engage board members in fundraising and stewardship.
• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies.
• Build external alliances to expand visibility and resources.
• Ensure compliance with gift agreements and regulations.
• Represent the university to alumni and donors.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising

Donor relationship management

Board relations

Campaign strategy

Executive collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

CFRE designation

Master's degree

Job description

Job Description

The University of Indianapolis seeks a bold, entrepreneurial, andrelationship-driven advancement leader to build upon a period ofexceptional momentum and help shape the University’s next era ofimpact. Over the past three years, under the leadership ofPresident Dr. Tanuja Singh, UIndy has strengthened its financialposition, achieved sustained fundraising success, expanded academicand workforce initiatives, and forged ambitiouspartnerships—including an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programwith Perry Township Schools that will bring Indiana’s first highschool located on a university campus to UIndy. The launch of UIndyOnline, significant investments in engineering, nursing, honorseducation, and student success, and a growing portfolio ofcorporate and community partnerships reflect a University that isconfident in its direction and ready to translate its momentum intoeven greater philanthropic support.

Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President forUniversity Advancement will serve as a key member of thePresident’s Cabinet and an active participant in strategicdecisions affecting the University. UIndy seeks an energetic,active fundraiser who will spend the majority of their timeengaging, cultivating, and soliciting donors; securing significantphilanthropic investments; and building enduring relationships thatadvance the University’s mission and strategic priorities. Workingclosely with the President, senior leadership, and the Board ofTrustees, and supported by an experienced advancement teamresponsible for the unit’s day-to-day operations, the VicePresident will lead UIndy’s overall fundraising strategy,strengthen its culture of philanthropy, and develop externalalliances that expand the University’s visibility, reach, andfinancial resources. The position will involve local, regional andnational travel.

Position Details:

The Vice President of Advancement, reporting directly to PresidentDr. Tanuja Singh, serves as a key leadership team member of thePresident's Cabinet and an active participant in strategicdecisions affecting UIndy.

This role requires an active, front-line fundraiser with a primaryfocus on relationship building, donor engagement, cultivation, andsolicitation. The Vice President will spend the majority of theirtime out of the office including on regional and national travel,building high-value relationships, securing major philanthropicgifts from individual donors and stewarding those relationships,and driving the University's overall fundraising strategy. Whileoperational advancement staff manage day-to-day administrative unitfunctions, the Vice President works in close partnership withsenior leadership, the President, and the Board of Trustees toforge key external alliances that expand UIndy's visibility,philanthropic reach, and overall financial resources.

Essential Functions

• Front-Line Fundraising & Major Gifts: Serve as the majorfundraiser for the University alongside the president, activelybuilding, managing, and advancing a portfolio of major giftprospects to regularly secure seven-figure and higher philanthropicgifts from individual and institutional donors.
• Senior Leadership Collaboration: Partner closely with thePresident, Provost, Deans, Athletic Director, and senior executivemanagement to collaboratively strategize, cultivate, and solicitmajor gifts across key academic and athletic priorities.
• Board & Trustee Engagement: Serve as the official staffliaison for the Board of Trustees Advancement Committee, activelyengaging board members in major donor cultivation, solicitation,and stewardship initiatives.
• Campaign & Private Foundation Strategy: Develop and executecomprehensive fundraising strategies that encompass major gifts,planned giving, private foundation grants, and multi-yearcomprehensive campaigns.
• Relationship Building & Stewardship: Design and implementhigh-touch cultivation and stewardship programs to foster deep,long-term relationships with individual, corporate, and foundationdonors.
• Financial & Compliance Partnership: Collaborate with theChief Financial Officer on financial alignment and with the Officeof General Counsel to ensure all gift agreements and fundraisingactivities follow federal, state, and local regulations.
• Alumni Association Representation: Serve as a key spokespersonfor the University to the UIndy Alumni Association, enhancingengagement and a culture of philanthropy across the UIndy Greyhoundalumni community.
• Institutional Alignment: Demonstrate respectful, ethical, andresponsible behavior in alignment with University policies,procedures, and rules.

Requirements & Qualifications

Experience & Track Record:

• 10+ years of professional experience in higher education ormajor non-profit advancement, with a proven track record as asuccessful fundraiser.
• Proven track record of securing major philanthropic gifts(seven figures or higher) from individual donors.
• Proven track record of relationship building and management,with demonstrated success in identifying, cultivating, soliciting,and stewarding high-net-worth individual donors.
• Proven track record of working collaboratively with seniormanagement (Presidents, Deans, Vice Presidents) to prepare for,execute, and close major gift solicitations.
• Strong understanding of complex gift agreements, structuredgiving, and their long-term impact on the university.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Successful experience leading or co-leading a multi-yearcomprehensive campaign within a higher education institution.
• Demonstrated experience successfully managing board relationsand engaging trustees in front-line fundraising activities.
• Proven track record in private foundation cultivation andsolicitation, including relationship building with program officersand securing institutional grants.

Education & Credentials:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or higherpreferred.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designationpreferred.

Competencies & Key Characteristics:

• Front-Line Focus: Energetic, self-motivated external fundraiserwho thrives on face-to-face donor engagement and relationshipbuilding.
• Persuasive Communication: Superior written and verbalcommunication skills, with an ability to compellingly articulateUIndy's mission to diverse audiences.
• Strategic Partnering: Ability to work seamlessly with seniorexecutives, trustees, campus leaders, faculty, and volunteerleadership to execute sophisticated cultivation and solicitationstrategies.
• Independence & Initiative: High degree of self-direction,organizational skills, and attention to detail, capable of drivingmajor gift pipelines forward without heavy administrativeoversight.
• Integrity & Passion: High ethical standards, professionaldiscretion, and a genuine passion for higher education and UIndy'smission.

Company Description

Located in Indianapolis, the University of Indianapolis (UIndy) isa nationally recognized, United Methodist Church-affiliatedinstitution that serves over 4,200 main-campus students, includingmore than 1,300 graduate students. Guided by over 500 accessiblefaculty members who foster high student-faculty interaction, UIndyoffers an intimate learning environment with an average class sizeof 16 and a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio across its 90+undergraduate, 40+ graduate, and five doctoral programs—notablyproducing more clinical psychologists than any other university inIndiana and featuring the state's only neonatal nurse practitionerprogram. Beyond academic excellence and a diverse campus communitywhere 33% of students represent international and minoritypopulations from over 60 countries and 40 states, UIndy boasts apowerhouse NCAA Division II athletics program. Featuring 23 varsityteams, the Greyhounds demonstrate athletic and academic excellence,earning 13 consecutive top-20 finishes in the Learfield Directors'Cup and securing 19 conference championships in a two-year span,while its 600+ student-athletes simultaneously achieved a combined3.52 GPA and 405 Academic All-GLVC honors.

Our Mission

The University of Indianapolis champions lifelong learning throughrelevant and innovative education that fosters experientiallearning, diverse perspectives, service for impact, and a globalmindset.

Our Vision

The University of Indianapolis will be the institution of choicefor a diverse group of learners who wish to engage with the worldand enrich their lives through relevant and impactful education,and are empowered to transform the world with their knowledge andskills—Anywhere. Anytime. For life.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Tuition Discount
• Retirement Savings Plan - 403B
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time Accruals
• Paid Holiday time and additional University days off
• Employee Discounts & Services
• Free Parking
• Onsite Health & Wellness Center