Institutional Advancement Associate Vice President for Development

Position Summary

Institutional Advancement's Approach To Development & What We Value

Our development officers are 100% Institutional Advancement employees who are assigned to schools, colleges, or other campus units to become content experts in their unit, build a robust portfolio and pipeline of giving, and collaborate with unit leaders to develop compelling philanthropic opportunities.

With a centralized division, additional IA units provide support to each fundraiser, including annual giving, stewardship and events, prospect research, principal gifts, corporate and foundation relations, planned giving, and marketing and communications. We believe in maintaining smaller portfolios that can be worked within a reasonable time and will not tolerate prospect-hoarding that jeopardizes donor experience or institutional support. Shared credit is expected and encouraged; we value collaboration and teamwork above personal gain and convenience.

Our weighted metric system reflects the scope of influence a fundraiser has based on the stage of gift cycle and tenure in the role. New fundraisers and new hires will prioritize substantiative visits over dollars raised. Over time, the weight of success will shift to proposals and dollars raised. With most of our donors located in the El Paso area, travel is generally within driving distance. We encourage our team to use whatever means are necessary to continue gift conversations and do not penalize someone for using Zoom or other means to move the conversation along.

Who We Want

A strategic, visionary, and collaborative leader who will manage the direct relationships with alumni and donors, and leading all fundraising efforts and gift solicitation strategies, to serve as the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Institutional Advancement's (IA) Associate Vice President for Development.

We are looking for an ambitious and dynamic leader with a proven track-record in leading and coaching frontline fundraisers as well as a successful history of major gift development success. A highly collaborative and accomplished individual who demonstrates strong organizational, supervisory, and leadership skills, all while demonstrating the highest level of character and integrity.

What You'll Do

As a member of IA's Leadership Team, you will serve as a strategic senior partner, working directly with the Vice President and colleagues across the University to advance Institutional Advancement's priorities. You'll be charged with managing, mentoring, and training our centralized and unit-based Development Officers. You'll work collaboratively with your fundraisers, other IA units, and campus leaders like deans and vice presidents to develop and implement strategic annual plans that increase constituent support, achieve fundraising goals, and advance UTEP's strategic plan.

With a growth mindset and a commitment to fostering an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion, you'll grow, lead, and further develop our team of frontline Development Officers. By establishing and implementing policies and procedures to enhance and facilitate fundraising best practices, training and consistent follow-up for our growing team will be a top priority.

While the primary responsibility of this role is management, there is an expectation to lead by example and maintain a portfolio of major gift prospects. You will demonstrate successful discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift donors as well as set an example for your team on collaborative teamwork.

Statement of Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads the development and execution of strategic fundraising plans to advance UTEP's Institutional Advancement priorities.
• Serves as a strategic partner to the Vice President and IA senior leadership team.
• Manages, mentors, and develops centralized and unit-based Development Officers to ensure high-performing fundraising teams.
• Oversees major gift strategies, discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, while maintaining a personal portfolio of key prospects.
• Collaborates with campus leaders, deans, and vice presidents to align fundraising initiatives with institutional priorities.
• Establishes policies, procedures, and best practices to enhance fundraising effectiveness and team consistency.
• Promotes data-informed decision-making and monitors progress toward fundraising goals.
• Builds a culture of collaboration, integrity, inclusion, and performance excellence across the development team.
• Provides coaching, guidance, and mentorship to fundraisers to foster professional growth and accountability.
• Represents IA and the University in donor and alumni relations, and in university-wide initiatives.
• Ensures compliance with all State, University, and industry regulations, including ethical fundraising standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Master's Degree
• Experience: Eight (8) years of successful major gift fundraising experience or relevant experience (e.g. portfolio management, sales, nonprofit, banking, or finance)

Preferred Qualifications

• A working understanding of a research university environment
• Experience in a higher education setting, enthusiasm for fundraising, and working within a goal-oriented fundraising organization
• Experience managing a team and/or individual fundraisers.
• Demonstrated success persuading and influencing groups and individuals to support the organization's agenda
• Experience working directly with deans, vice presidents, program directors and/or advisory board members
• Experience using a fundraising database (we use Raiser's Edge/NXT and FPM)