Vice President of Institutional Advancement

The Vice President of Institutional Advancement (VPIA) will be an accomplished advancement professional with extensive experience and a proven track record in major and principal gift fundraising. The VPIA will also demonstrate a strong commitment to fostering broad engagement with alumni and other key constituencies. This individual will develop and manage a highly impactful fundraising program, leading by example and collaborating with leaders across the School to create a holistic culture of philanthropy that is widely embraced, driving significant outcomes. The VPIA will direct all aspects of advancement, including development, alumni affairs and events related to Development. The individual will work closely with the Executive Vice President and the Executive Director of Communications and Marketing. Working closely with leadership, the VPIA will not only lead and implement the fundraising effort but will help define the overall strategic direction of the philanthropic enterprise by building and managing the required infrastructure and operations.The VPIA will play an important role in aligning the work of the advancement department with the various education and research departments, faculty, programs and facilities, to maximize the achievement of the philanthropic goals. The individual will also oversee the planning and execution of programs within the framework of the School that enhances understanding, acceptance and support for the School among all its constituencies. This is accomplished by partnering with Marketing and Communications to ensure the advancement of a positive image through media relations, internal and external publications, and digital channels.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Leading and supporting Institutional Advancement staff by cultivating a collaborative, growth-oriented culture through mentorship, training, daily guidance, and performance monitoring.

• Development
  • Plan, develop and implement an aggressive and creative fundraising program to solicit and acquire funds for the institution including annual, planned, and major gift programs as well as specialized promotional or capital campaigns.
  • Implement strategies to increase major gifts, unrestricted giving, endowments, foundation support, annual giving, and scholarship support.
  • Develop an individual giving program that strengthens relationships with existing annual donors and strategically increases the base of support from individuals over time.
  • Assist the School's professionals and Board of Trustees in building and nurturing long- term relationships that yield significant major gifts and endowments.
  • Work with the Board of Directors and other volunteer leaders, committees or boards to maximize their interests, time and abilities to further the ongoing fundraising effort.
  • Coordinate and participate in the personal contact, cultivation and solicitation of major donors.
  • Facilitate efforts to increase funding and all other forms of institutional support from corporations, public and private foundations and from federal and state governmental agencies.
  • Direct programs that recruit, train and steward the involvement of volunteers in efforts that support fundraising and alumni relations.
  • Direct comprehensive and efficient systems to manage all donor engagement including accounting and acknowledgement processes for all gifts, database management, planning, recordkeeping, and reporting.
  • Meet yearly departmental and personal fundraising goals as well as event/project goals that may arise from time to time.
• Alumni Affairs
  • Oversee the relationship between the School and its alumni.
  • Coordinate events, supervise alumni office staff, and provide strategic support to the Alumni Association.
• Communications
  • Collaborate with the Executive Director of Communications and Marketing on the School's public information including the School's Social Media presence, and community relations programs.
  • Work effectively with alumni, senior leadership, employees, friends and students in delivering high quality and effective marketing, branding, communications and public relations.
  • As requested, act as a spokesperson for the School.
• Administration
  • Hire, lead, inspire and direct Institutional Advancement staff in each area of responsibility by providing direction and leadership on a day-to-day basis.
  • Provide ongoing supervision, coaching, training, education and mentoring to individual team members.
  • Build and foster a success-oriented, accountable, high-morale, and positive environment that promotes teamwork and professional growth.
  • Develop and employ performance measurement standards to evaluate and monitor individual and team performance toward goals.
  • Collect and report to the Executive Vice President, outcome metrics.
  • Develop and manage the budgets for all Development efforts and programs.
  • Document development strategies and processes, including assessing networks, sample appeal letters, resources and other creative ideas for raising funds.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred
• 15 years of progressive experience in fundraising and alumni affairs
• At least 10 years of experience leading and managing diverse professional staff
• Proven success in building and leading comprehensive advancement operations, including major donor solicitation and campaign management
• Demonstrated success in major, capital, and/or comprehensive campaigns with a track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities

• Strong knowledge of donor research, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Experience in executing fundraising strategies, setting and meeting goals, and managing programs including capital campaigns, major gifts, prospect research, events, grant writing and planned giving
• Familiarity with School advancement and alumni affairs
• Excellent communicator who speaks and writes with clarity and purpose
• Exudes comfort and confidence in interacting effectively with sophisticated physicians, researchers, donors, and other key constituencies
• Creative thinking backed by strong judgment and sensitivity to identify and create new giving opportunities for programs
• Goal-oriented, highly motivated and outgoing personality
• Superior interpersonal skills with the ability to demonstrate professional competence and emotional intelligence
• Ability to respect and maintain donor confidentiality Computer Skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook
• Knowledge of fundraising software and digital marketing and reporting tools to manage campaigns, engage donors, and track results

Travel

• As needed

Physical Demands

• Extensive Use of Computers and Telephones
• Extensive time sitting and standing
• Able to lift up to 5 lbs.