"Vice President of Institutional Advancement"

The College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John's University (SJU) invite inquiries, applications, and nominations for the position of Vice President of Institutional Advancement (VPIA). Located in St. Joseph, Minnesota and Collegeville, Minnesota, respectively, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University are Catholic and Benedictine liberal arts colleges founded and enriched by Saint Benedict's Monastery and Saint John's Abbey. In 2021, the groundbreaking Strong Integration governance model brought both institutions under unified leadership for the first time, and CSB+SJU operate with a single president, an integrated leadership team, and unified administrative functions while maintaining two distinct governing boards. Together, CSB+SJU enroll approximately 2,895 undergraduate and 201 graduate students and employ 228 faculty members. The inaugural joint VPIA is expected to take office on July 1, 2026.

Reporting directly to CSB+SJU President Brian Bruess and serving as a member of the CSB+SJU Leadership Team, the VPIA will provide strategic oversight of all advancement functions, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations and partnerships, grants, and donor and alumnae and alumni relations. Embodying the Benedictine charism of care, community, and stewardship, the VPIA will play a central role in cultivating trust with alums, strengthening relationships, and securing transformational philanthropy to advance CSB+SJU's missions, visions, and values. With the integration of advancement functions across both campuses, the VPIA will lead a period of organization and cultural transformation. The ideal candidate will foster authentic relationships with donors, alumni, and community partners and will be a strategic integrator, able to bridge constituencies, diversify the donor base, and cultivate inclusive philanthropic engagement. The expected salary range for this position is $225k-$250k.

The search for CSB+SJU's VPIA is being assisted by Maya Ranchod Kirkhope Academic Search. Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted in confidence to CSBSJUVPIA@academicsearch.org. Though applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled, only those materials received by January 29, 2026 are assured full consideration. For more information about the institution, position, qualifications, and application process, please review the search profile, available for download on the Academic Search website. Additional information about the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University is available at https://www.csbsju.edu/.

Candidates requiring disability accommodations during the search process should contact CSBSJUVPIA@academicsearch.org.