Overview

Reporting to the Vice President for Alumni Affairs & Development (AA&D), exercising a high level of independence, autonomy, and decision-making, and serving as a member of the AA&D senior leadership team (SLT), the Assistant Vice President supervises the leaders of units including Advancement Systems; Analytics & Data Services; Gift & Records Services; Marketing & Communications; and Organizational Learning & Development, providing guidance, mentoring, and performance management, and leads enterprise-wide, date-driven strategic initiatives. The Assistant Vice President will bring substantial frontline fundraising experience and a sophisticated understanding of the strategic, operational, and relationship-management requirements of a modern advancement organization. This role requires a leader who can integrate the perspective of an experienced fundraising practitioner with deep operational and technical expertise, ensuring that systems, policies, analytics, and service functions effectively support and advance institutional fundraising priorities. The successful candidate will demonstrate an enterprise-wide understanding of the donor lifecycle and the ways in which advancement operations can strengthen and support fundraising effectiveness, donor engagement, communications, stewardship, and organizational performance.

Provides strategic leadership and sets the direction for information management, donor services and communication across the division. Serves as a key resource for external communications; bridges with the Offices of Public Affairs and Communications, Provost and President on strategic messaging. Reflecting industry best practices, leads both long- and short-term planning related to advancement systems and technology, as well as data management, governance, and compliance, and articulates division-wide policy in these areas. Serves as the primary liaison with University Audit and Advisory. In partnership with unit leaders and other staff, establishes strategic objectives, key results, annual goals, and action plans for reporting units. Identifies and implements solutions that leverage data, technology, and reporting to strengthen fundraising strategy and enhance frontline effectiveness. Serves as the division's lead expert on compliance and policy matters and provides counsel to university partners in these areas. Collaborates with fellow SLT members on strategic planning, policy development, new initiatives, and culture-shaping efforts.

Principal responsibilities

1. Directs multiple functional areas within a department of the University and ensures compliance with University policies and procedures. Manages, mentors, and guides a team of directors, managers, and other staff in their work, programs, initiatives, and activities.
2. Maintains a comprehensive understanding of the University and its priorities and needs and represents the University in interactions with prospective donors/donors, volunteers, alumni, grant makers, and other individuals and groups/entities.
3. Establishes and implements long- and short-range goals for the functional area(s) consistent with University goals and objectives. Sets and achieves unit objectives. Develops strategies to achieve unit results and enhance productivity and performance.
4. Establishes, promotes, strengthens, and maintains productive and collaborative relationships with key constituents and partners - both inside and outside the university.
5. Directs, implements and ensures compliance with new or revised standards, policies, and procedures, affecting assigned functional areas
6. Helps assess resource needs, as well as potential expenditures and, as needed, cost saving measures.
7. Implements strategies to provide professional development for staff and to encourage their highest level of performance. Coaches, develops and inspires staff to maximize their potential.
8. Takes on special assignments and other duties as assigned.