"Executive Advisor to the Senior VP of University Advancement"

Executive Advisor to the Senior VP of University Advancement

Working Title: Executive Advisor to the Senior VP of University Advancement

State Role Title: Administrative and Professional Faculty

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: University Advancement Unit

Department: 100244 - Senior VP University Advancement

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Beginning Review Date: 03/3/2026

General Information:

James Madison University seeks a highly trusted, strategic, and execution-oriented Executive Advisor to support the Vice President for Philanthropy & Engagement. This role serves as a daily partner to the Vice President, functioning as a conduit for action, communication, and follow-through, particularly when the Vice President is traveling.

The Executive Advisor ensures continuity of leadership, timely execution of philanthropic and engagement priorities, and effective coordination across the division and with campus partners. This position plays a critical role in advancing major philanthropic conversations, supporting strategic planning, and maintaining strong internal communication and operational momentum.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Executive Support & Strategic Coordination

• Provide day-to-day advisory and operational support to the Vice President for Philanthropy & Engagement.
• Act as a trusted proxy and point of continuity while the Vice President is traveling, ensuring timely follow-up, follow-through, and execution of philanthropic and engagement-related conversations.
• Serve as a primary communication link between the Vice President and senior administrators, campus partners, and staff within Alumnae Hall.
• Coordinate closely with Associate Vice Presidents, Assistant Vice Presidents, and Directors to ensure alignment, clarity, and progress on division priorities.
• Track, prioritize, and advance action items emerging from donor engagements, leadership meetings, and strategic initiatives.

Administration & Planning

• Facilitate regular proactive communications for internal and external stakeholders of the Philanthropy & Engagement division to build mission clarity and invite shared ownership and partnership by intentionally using Divisional emails, social media engagement, outlined bullets for meeting remarks and personalized correspondence.
• Plan, coordinate, and support division retreats, leadership meetings, planning sessions, and regular director and leadership meetings.
• Serve as the division's Program Review Coordinator by establishing and monitoring program review guidelines, timelines, and processes.
• Notify Directors and AVPs of upcoming reviews.
• Ensure all department reviews adhere to university policy and established standards.
• Lead and support strategic and operational planning including oversight of the division's use of the institution's Star Tool planning database, development of annual planning objectives, and coordination of annual reporting.
• Provide regular support on PowerPoint presentations and statistical reports for major board meetings and events where the VP will be speaking.
• Maintain budget oversight for all assigned program areas in coordination with divisional leadership and university financial partners.
• Support the Vice President's vision and divisional strategy related to talent development, staff engagement, and retention.
• Coordinate onboarding of new employees to ensure a consistent, welcoming, and mission-aligned experience across the division.
• Coordinate and support division-wide learning, professional development, and training initiatives.
• Administer and manage the division's employee recognition efforts, including the Value Employee Awards program.
• Partner with divisional leadership and HR colleagues to reinforce a positive culture, clear expectations, and high performance.
• Coordinate and maintain the University Advancement (Philanthropy & Engagement) event and meeting calendar. Ensure alignment and deconfliction of key division events, leadership meetings, donor-related activities, and campus priorities.
• Assume additional responsibilities as assigned by the Vice President to advance division and university goals.
• Work collaboratively with division colleagues and campus partners to execute strategies that achieve maximum program effectiveness and impact.
• Maintain ongoing knowledge of best practices in philanthropy, alumni engagement, and comprehensive campaign strategy.

Additional Responsibilities

• Attend department, unit, and division meetings and events as requested.
• Represent the Vice President or division, as appropriate, in internal meetings or working groups.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
• Significant experience in higher education administration, advancement, philanthropy, engagement, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to operate with discretion, sound judgment, and confidentiality at the senior leadership level.
• Strong strategic thinking, project management, and execution skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.
• Proven ability to manage complex priorities, deadlines, and cross-functional collaboration.