Job Details
Job Classification Description
Director of Institutional Advancement & Philanthropic Strategy
BARGAINING UNIT: UP SUP GRADE 15
BASIC FUNCTION
In collaboration with the VTSU president and administrative leadership, build and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support Vermont State University's short-term strategic and fiscal priorities and establish a robust philanthropy program and culture designed to broaden VTSU's base of support and enhance its long-term financial position.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic planning:
Develop, direct, and support implementation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy for the newly established Vermont State University (VTSU) including a full range of annual and long-range development programs; including major gifts, endowments, planned giving, annual giving and capital campaigns, and special events.
Work collaboratively with the Institutional Advancement team to assess, capture, and utilize relevant historical knowledge, information, systems, practices, and relationships from legacy institutions in order to build a new, unified philanthropy practice for a new university.
Confer regularly with the President and their leadership team, staff, faculty, alumni, student groups, and other internal constituencies to plan, coordinate, and evaluate fundraising strategies, programs, priorities, and activities.
Development, Stewardship & Engagement Programming:
Lead and support the development and implementation of innovative planned giving, annual giving, and endowment and scholarship growth strategies grounded in data, institutional knowledge, and thoughtful stewardship, solicitation, and cultivation practices.
Lead and support the development of streamlined scholarship management, tracking, and awarding process in collaboration with Financial Aid and Student Success teams.
Lead and support the development and implementation of a robust alumni engagement program designed to expand services for, and cultivate new and existing relationships with alumni of VTSU and all legacy institutions.
Represent VTSU's institutional advancement team in external settings (conferences and gatherings) along-side institutional advancement team colleagues and partner with other teams across VTSU to help advance a culture of philanthropy.
Lead and support the development and implementation of thoughtful stewardship strategies and practices designed to develop and nurture rewarding long-term relationships with alumni, families, friends, businesses, supporters, and donors.
Data Analytics & Operating Effectiveness:
Build systems and culture of data-driven decision-making in order to effectively track, evaluate, and share meaningful development metrics, and use them to improve programs and practices.
Communications & Events Management:
Collaborate with teams across the university, volunteers, vendors and other partners to plan and execute a variety of donor and alumni events throughout the year.
Collaborate with the Communications and Marketing teams to create and distribute creative and persuasive fundraising/stewardship materials, collateral and briefings, and personalized proposals utilizing diverse validator voices, meaningful data, and powerful stories of impact.
Collaborate with the Communications and Marketing teams to promote and advertise public events and fundraising opportunities.
Administrative & Supervision:
Lead and support a team of skilled and experienced fundraising professionals.
Lead the ongoing design and staffing of the fundraising infrastructure to create a sustainable, high-performing institutional advancement unit.
Oversee and support the integration and on-going management and improvement of VTSU's donor database and gift processing systems and software.
Oversee the budgets of institutional advancement, alumni relations, and annual giving (gifts and solicitation).
Serve as liaison with volunteers, alumni, friends, parents, vendors, students, faculty, staff, and/or other key internal and/or external college constituencies; present information on department programs; process special requests; discuss, investigate and resolve problems, referring to supervisor and advising on appropriate action to be taken as necessary.
Other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Supervision is received from the Associate Vice President of Communication, Alumni and External Affairs
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Supervise Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations employees and student workers.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in appropriate discipline, plus a minimum of five years of relevant training and experience developing/leading higher education or nonprofit fundraising programs and/or alumni relations, or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired. Prior experience with events coordination is also necessary.
Must be able to work a flexible schedule; some weekend and evenings, as well as in-state and out-of-state travel.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Development experience in higher education desirable.
Public speaking and media relations experience desirable.
Experience with national foundations desirable.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
Knowledge:
Knowledge and experience with a variety of computer applications, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Blackbaud's Raisers Edge or other fundraising-oriented database.
Commitment to developing own professional knowledge and the professional knowledge of team members regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice and how it informs practices within area of expertise
Skills:
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
Outstanding interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills
Excellent organizational, project management, and administrative skills.
Abilities:
Demonstrated ability to develop and successfully implement comprehensive fundraising programs.
Ability to deal effectively with and represent the college to a broad range of individuals and groups within and outside of the college.
Directed and resourceful problem-solver with a demonstrated ability to think and act creativity and strategically.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and shifting priorities.
Ability to track, analyze, and use data to inform decision-making around content, strategy, resource allocation, systems and processes, etc.
Demonstrated ability to support a diverse community and promote diverse perspectives and cultures in an inclusive and collaborative environment.
Ability to deal effectively with and represent the university to a broad range of individuals and groups within and outside of the University, frequently regarding sensitive community relations
Location: This position will be based on any of the Vermont State University's campuses. Occasional travel to other campuses and to meet with potential and existing donors may be necessary.
This general outline illustrates the type of work which characterizes the job classification. It is not an all-encompassing statement of the specific duties, responsibilities and qualifications of individual positions assigned to the classification.
Vermont State University is a part of the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS). VSCS values individual differences that can be engaged in the service of learning.Diverse experiences from people of varied backgrounds inform and enrich our community.VSCS strongly encourages applications from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations.VSCS is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with ADA requirements, and will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified applicant.Please contact our HR office for assistance with accommodations at ...@vermontstate.edu.
NOTE: This job is subject to a criminal background check. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the satisfactory results of this check.