"Associate Vice President, Principal Giving and Alumni Engagement – Leadership Giving"

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Associate Vice President for Principal Giving and Alumni Engagement will play a pivotal role in securing transformational philanthropic support from high-net-worth individuals to advance the university’s strategic priorities, including scholarships, capital projects, endowed faculty positions, and mission driven initiatives. The incumbent will also be responsible for establishing the strategic vision for, and oversight of, the alumni engagement team focusing on elevating and aligning alumni engagement initiatives with institutional priorities, fostering a culture of connection, philanthropy, and advocacy, and leveraging data-driven insights to enhance alumni participation and impact This individual will serve as a key ambassador for Duquesne’s Catholic and Spiritan values, fostering deep, mission-aligned relationships with donors.

The Associate Vice President for Principal Giving and Alumni Engagement will serve as the lead gift officer for transformational gifts in support of the university. The incumbent will work closely with the SVP for University Advancement to identify top prospects to be cultivated in support of the university’s top funding priorities. The AVP will work closely with university leadership, deans, and university volunteers to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward top donor prospects and alumni. Incumbent will be responsible for developing a comprehensive solicitation strategy for top prospects, including alumni engagement events and programs that result in philanthropy. Position holder will require extensive travel and is responsible for a portfolio of university prospects.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops and implements individualized strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, aligning their philanthropic interests with Duquesne’s institutional priorities and goals. Partner with university leadership, deans, faculty, and advancement colleagues to identify and promote funding opportunities and craft compelling cases for support. Position includes extensive travel to meet donors, prospects, and alumni—estimated travel equal to 65% of the time.
• Provides the strategic leadership and vision for the Alumni Engagement Team. Responsible for developing and implementing a multi-year strategic plan for that Team that elevates the alumni experience, utilizes best practices and aligns with the university’s advancement goals. Identify and prioritize opportunities and innovations to deepen alumni involvement across key areas including career development, volunteerism, mentorship, and philanthropy. Collaborate with senior leadership to integrate alumni engagement into broader university initiatives and campaigns.
• In consultation with the SVP, contribute to the planning and execution of comprehensive fundraising campaigns including initiatives for capital projects, student support including scholarships and endowed faculty positions.
• Collaborates with SVP on strategic engagement with key prospects, work with members of the University advancement committee on identification of new prospects and develop outreach strategies and other work as assigned.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervises the work of others, including planning, assigning, scheduling, and reviewing work, ensuring quality standards. Is responsible for hiring, terminating, training, and developing, reviewing performance, and administering corrective action for staff. Plans organizational structure and job content.

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum qualifications:

• BA/BS degree from an accredited institution and 10+ years of work-related experience.
• Progressively responsible development experience in a university setting.
• Successful track record being the primarily responsible person for closing gifts of $500,000 plus and a demonstrated sustained track record in identifying, cultivating and closing six-and seven-figure gifts.
• Successful experience in managing fundraising for campaign initiatives and alumni programming is essential.
• Proven track record of long-term strategic planning and successful implementation and execution of alumni programs.
• PA Driver’s license in good standing.

Preferred qualifications:

• MA from an accredited institution.
• Experience navigating a complex university environment strongly preferred.
• Alternately, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• A successful track record of success in personally working with major gift prospects, written and verbal communication skills and the ability to close gifts with a demonstrated success closing gifts as the primary gift officer of $500,000 and above.
• Knowledge of advancement best practices and a working understanding of planned giving and other complex gift structures.
• Visionary thinker with the ability to translate strategy into action.
• Successful track record of developing innovative and creative alumni engagement programs.
• Proven experience in successfully leading individuals through the donor cycle—identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, closure, stewardship.
• The ability to determine the best strategy for engaging a donor-what is a short-term win versus the long-term goal, and who within the university plays a vital role in achieving those goals.
• Collaborative and adaptable leader who thrives in challenging and demanding situations with grace, in the spirit of the catholic mission.
• Experience with CRM database systems like Slate, Raiser’s Edge, or Salesforce.
• Passion for higher education and alumni engagement.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.
• Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University. The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Duquesne University was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community, the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. Duquesne University is Catholic in mission and ecumenical in spirit. Motivated by its Catholic identity, Duquesne values equality of opportunity both as an educational institution and as an employer.