"Associate Vice President for Development"

Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Associate Vice President for Development. There is opportunity for this position to be primarily a remote role with on-campus work required approximately once per month and as needed during peak projects and events.

About the Role

The Associate Vice President for Development oversees the team responsible for major giving, planned giving, and annual giving at Hollins University. Reporting to and collaborating with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the AVP for Development provides strategic guidance on fundraising efforts at Hollins University including its $250 million comprehensive campaign. This position manages two positions (the Director of the Hollins Fund and the Donor Relations and Research Manager), works to build a sustainable donor pipeline, develops donor and prospect strategies, and supports gift officers in creating and managing portfolios with the highest potential donors. Additionally, this role collaborates with campus colleagues across academic and administrative departments to understand funding priorities and engage them as needed to build strong donor relationships and support the implementation of major giving and campaign initiatives. This includes the development and execution of strategies working with the appropriate Institutional Advancement division team members, the Cabinet, faculty, and/or staff to advance the university’s overall mission and outreach to alumnae/i, parents, friends, corporations, and foundations.

Specific duties include the following:

• Oversee the planning and implementation of all programs and activities designed to advance major and planned giving, annual giving, and campaign fundraising by helping establish goals for all team members and by directing the strategic implementation and assessment of fundraising and engagement strategies to achieve those goals.
• Directly manage two professional staff members who have responsibility for major and planned giving, annual giving, and the campaign.
• In collaboration with the Senior Philanthropic Advisor, provide professional guidance and leadership in identifying and executing strategies that are most likely to be achieved through private philanthropy.
• Manage the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a small portfolio of gift prospects, including annual recipient and commitment goals, through personal visits and other forms of communication.
• Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with donors in portfolio and communicate regularly by mail, email, and phone.
• Coordinate donor visits, develop strategies, work collaboratively, and train volunteers to maximize fundraising success.
• Work and travel with other staff to plan and conduct visits, presentations, and events.
• Produce proposals, reports, and other cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship materials as needed.
• Oversee the Hollins Advancement Volunteers (HAV) program including managing volunteer recruitment, training, recognition, and ongoing engagement. This work will be done in close collaboration with staff in Alumnae/i Engagement and other members of the Institutional Advancement team to ensure a coordinated and effective volunteer program.
• Represent the university at events, to volunteer groups, and in the Roanoke Valley community with the goal of increasing the visibility of Hollins’ advancement priorities and needs.
• Assist with publicity arrangements on important gifts, programs, accomplishments, and events.
• Independently manage a select portfolio of gift prospects by cultivating relationships, soliciting contributions, and stewarding donors through personalized outreach – including in-person visits and other strategic communications – to meet annual engagement and fundraising goals.
• Follow up on cultivation activities with appropriate gift solicitation, reporting, and stewardship of donors.
• Monitor all prospect contacts to ensure positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations.
• Assist in the recognition and prioritization of institutional funding needs.
• Keep abreast of institutional and departmental priorities and programs.
• Maintain and develop procedures in coordination with the Advancement Services team on follow-up of all gifts and pledges.

Position Qualifications

Successful applicants must have the following qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of six years of progressive advancement leadership.
• Knowledge of development moves management and other prospect development techniques.
• Demonstrated success facilitating the cultivation and solicitation of donors.
• Excellent writing, speaking, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Proven abilities to manage projects, set priorities, work within deadlines, and meet goals.
• Abilities to analyze, prioritize, and execute work and operate with considerable independence and as an effective member of the team.
• Must be flexible and able to balance a variety of activities.
• Sound judgment, willingness to take initiative, and ability to keep matters confidential.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Leadership presence that is effective with a variety of constituencies including trustees, faculty, senior administration, and high-level volunteers.
• A collaborative and inspiring approach that is supported by data-centered rigor and a strong emphasis on accountability.
• Valid United States driver’s license with minimal violations.
• Ability and willingness to travel by car, plane, and train.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends.

Preferred candidates will have the following:

• Master’s degree.
• Proven success leading to a major fundraising function in higher education.
• Previous capital campaign experience, ideally in a higher education institution.
• Successful track record of working with volunteers and board members.
• Familiarity with and history of securing planned and blended gifts and of working to establish and administer high-level corporate partner programs.

Application Process

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to hollinshr@hollins.edu. Candidates are encouraged to comment in their cover letter on how their contributions will further the university’s efforts to ensure the success and inclusion of all members of its community. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Semi-final candidates will be asked to submit contact information for three references. Once the selected candidate accepts a contingent employment offer, criminal history, credit history, and motor vehicle background checks will be conducted.

About Hollins

Hollins University is dedicated to academic excellence, creativity, belonging, and preparing students for lives of purpose. Hollins provides an outstanding and academically rigorous undergraduate liberal arts education for women and entrepreneurial and innovative graduate programs for all in a gender-inclusive environment. The university promotes opportunities for research, study abroad, and leadership training, and offers real-world experience through global internships supported by an extensive alumnae/i network.

Hollins University is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment. No employee or applicant shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including transgender status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and gender identity), national or ethnic origin, age, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable state and federal laws.

Visit www.hollins.edu for more information.