"Vice President of Institutional Advancement"

Job Details

Summary of Responsibilities:

Extend and institutionalize best-in-class practices that further establish the philanthropic culture among Geneva’s leadership, campus community, alumni base, and friends. As a member of the College leadership team, the VPIA engages in the life of the campus community and represents the College at a wide range of events, including attending events on evenings and weekends. The VPIA reports directly to the President and provides leadership to the college’s fundraising and alumni engagement program. The VPIA will serve as the senior fundraiser while overseeing annual giving, major gifts and donor outreach. As a member of the President’s Leadership Team, the VPIA will provide counsel to the President and collaborate with other executive officers to develop and implement institutional advancement strategies which support and enhance the vision and mission of Geneva College.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Philanthropic Strategy:
   • Lead recruitment, development, management and retention of philanthropic donors.
   • Maintain an active donor portfolio (on the road 50%+).
   • Extend planned giving momentum and estate pipeline.
   • Build GC Foundation giving societies (1848—annual gifts; Heritage—estate gifts; Tower—major and long-term giving).
   • Engage faculty, staff and students on campus to build understanding and participation in Geneva’s philanthropic culture and initiatives.
2. Alumni Engagement:
   • Increase levels of alumni engagement, alumni donors, and average alumni giving.
   • Develop a philanthropic mindset among current students and families.
   • Establish and implement a young alumni engagement strategy.
   • Build on the momentum of Gold & White alumni referral program and Legacy Links program in collaboration with Enrollment & Marketing.
   • Elevate Alumni Council’s role in GC Foundation and College.
3. GC Foundation Leadership:
   • Facilitate the College President’s involvement and integration in fundraising efforts.
   • Serve as primary staff leader with the GC Foundation board and report to the Geneva College Board of Trustees on GC Foundation matters.
   • Select, train, supervise and evaluate GC Foundation staff.
   • Establish short- and long-term development and communications goals and strategies, effectively integrating those with the larger institutional goals.
   • Develop and maintain systems that measure the performance of fundraising programs at the College.
4. Supervision:
   • Supervise regular employees to include interviewing, hiring, training, planning, assigning/directing work, coaching, evaluating performance, affirming, disciplining, addressing complaints, and resolving problems.
   • Must have a mindset of mentoring employees under supervision. Should be able to lead in a way that sets a good example, promotes teamwork, and encourages a positive, efficient work environment.

Exhibits behavior that is consistent with and supportive of Geneva’s mission, vision, core values, and standards of conduct:

Geneva Mission Statement: Geneva College is a Christ-centered academic community that provides a comprehensive education to equip students for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor.

Vision Statement: Geneva College will inspire students to integrate faith in Christ into all aspects of life in the real world, and to serve faithfully within their callings for Christ and Country.

Core Values:

1. Serve with grace
2. Pursue Godly wisdom
3. Foster academic strength
4. Engage culture faithfully
5. Inspire vibrant hospitality
6. Honor one another

Standards of Conduct: Employees of Geneva College will affirm upon hire, and annually thereafter, their promise to abide by the College’s Standard of Conduct Policy. All employees must conduct their personal affairs so there can be no opportunity for unfavorable reflections upon the Christian beliefs and mission of the College, either expressed or implied. It is expected that employees will conduct themselves in a manner consistent with biblical standards, values, and character. These standards of personal conduct do not apply to family members and/or friends of the employee.

Job Requirements - Administrative:

1. General: Individuals must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed or are able to explain and demonstrate that they can perform the essential responsibilities of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations in order to safely perform the essential responsibilities of the job.
2. Physical: Must be able to perform the following: talking, hearing, and seeing. Must have sufficient manual dexterity to be able to operate all office equipment including, but not limited to computers, printers, copiers, scanners, and telephones.
3. Confidentiality: Individuals must recognize that management of data, including personal information, grades, budgets, programs, and policies is necessary to the operation of the College. Such information must be kept private and confidential for the protection of the College and to obey Federal and/or State laws. Should there be doubt as to whether a certain matter is to be protected, it should be discussed with your supervisor before making a disclosure.
4. Mental: Must be able to reason, analyze, prioritize, conceptualize, make judgments, and solve problems.

Qualifications:

Minimum:

• Education/Certification: Master’s degree.
• Experience: Minimum of 8-10 years of higher education leadership experience.
• Skill/Abilities:
  1. Exemplifies authentic Christian character in the Reformed tradition, evidenced in:
     • A deep commitment to Jesus Christ, resulting in a mature Christian walk
     • A prayerful dependence on God’s provision and the guidance of the Holy Spirit
     • An understanding and application of biblical principles for the stewardship of time, talent and treasure
     • Faithful service and follow-through on commitments
  2. An experienced and gifted leader:
     • Earns respect and establishes rapport with colleagues, alumni and donors
     • Encourages the team to adopt best practices, maintain high standards and reach ambitious goals
     • Inspires the team to accomplish their work with excellence, integrity and a sense of mission
     • Thinks strategically and creatively, while persuasively advocating for needed resources
     • Makes and communicates difficult decisions firmly, yet graciously in a God-honoring way
  3. Portrays internal energy and work ethic:
     • Portrays internal energy and work ethic
     • Possesses excellent writing skills and strong verbal communication skills in large and small group settings, including the ability to persuade and to listen patiently in personal conversations
     • Brings the financial skills to develop and manage budgets on sound principles
     • Understands academic funding models as well as the critical issues in higher education, Christianity and culture, and balances boldness with gentleness in effectively securing major gifts
• Christian Commitment: An eligible candidate must be a thoughtful and articulate Christian and an active member of a Protestant evangelical Christian church. Preference will be given to the candidate who supports and has an articulate understanding of the Reformed faith. An eligible candidate must understand and support the College’s “Foundational Concepts of Christian Education” by expressing an evangelical Christian profession of faith and demonstrate the ability to integrate a Christian perspective in their work.

Preferred:

• Education/Certification: Doctorate’s Degree or equivalent experience is preferred. Is an active participant in professional advancement associations.
• Experience: Seven to ten years of proven success in fund raising in non-profit higher education at a Director level or higher.
• Skill/Abilities: Has a record of securing foundation grants of at least $100,000.

Company

Geneva College is a Christian liberal arts college in the reformed tradition located about 50 miles north of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1848 by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, Geneva has majors in both liberal arts and pre-professional programs, and offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Geneva's faculty provide a challenging education that prepares students for careers, for further education, and for life. In all fields of study, students are challenged to explore the implications of the Christian faith on their discipline. Geneva has approximately 1,350 students enrolled in its various programs taught by its faculty of nearly 70 members. The college seeks to prepare students to serve Christ and the world in all areas of society, including work, family, and the church. Geneva is a founding member of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).