Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Employment Level: Senior-Level

Employment Type: Full Time

Vice President of Institutional Advancement | Touro University New York, New York

Established in 1970 to focus on higher education for the Jewish community and humanity, Touro is now the largest higher education system under Jewish auspices in America, serving a widely diverse and growing population of over 19,000 students in dozens of schools in the U.S. and abroad. Rooted in rigorous scholarship, Touro has the agility, responsiveness, and entrepreneurial spirit of a younger institution. Touro’s research footprint continues to increase, as it emerges as one of the leading educators of healthcare professionals in the nation. The University is attuned to student needs for today's rapidly evolving marketplace and world and develops programs at the cutting edge of technology and education.

As Touro expands, the University remains true to its mission and is uniquely aware of the importance of an education that accommodates students from all backgrounds and circumstances.

What sets Touro apart is not simply top-notch programs, engaged faculty members, or experiential learning opportunities, but also respect and responsiveness to each individual – to their community, their values, and their future. From liberal arts to law, health sciences to technology, business, Jewish studies, education – and everything in between – Touro provides educational opportunities and career paths to all who have the drive and potential to succeed.

Position Summary

The Vice President of Institutional Advancement (VPIA) directs all aspects of advancement, including development, alumni affairs, and related events. Working closely with the Executive Vice President and the Executive Director of Communications and Marketing, this individual is responsible for developing and managing a highly impactful fundraising program, while leading by example and collaborating with leaders across the University to create a holistic culture of philanthropy that is widely embraced and drives significant outcomes. The VPIA will not only lead and implement the fundraising effort in partnership with University leadership but will help define the overall strategic direction of the philanthropic enterprise by building and managing the required infrastructure and operations. The VPIA will play a vital role in aligning the work of the Institutional Advancement department with various academic and research units, faculty, programs, and facilities to maximize the achievement of philanthropic goals. This leader will also oversee the planning and execution of programs within the framework of Touro that enhances understanding, acceptance, and support for the University among all its constituencies; this is accomplished by partnering with Marketing and Communications colleagues to ensure the advancement of a positive image through media relations, internal and external publications, and digital channels.

Touro University has raised approximately $50 million annually during the past few years, reflecting strong and steady growth over time. The University is comprised of 36 schools and programs located domestically and internationally, and five of those corresponding units/campuses have independently organized fundraising teams. The VPIA is expected to directly oversee efforts that generate $30 to $35 million annually via major gifts, annual campaigns, bequests, events, and grantsmanship. Touro, as a whole, can serve as a remarkable platform for these efforts. The Main Campus, along with a myriad of graduate and professional schools based on the East Coast, as well as the University’s mission-driven undergraduate programs, can all be utilized as invaluable resources for Institutional Advancement activities.

The VPIA leads and supports Institutional Advancement staff by cultivating a collaborative, growth-oriented culture through mentorship, training, daily guidance, and performance monitoring. The VPIA oversees a centralized team of approximately five, while orchestrating and modeling the team’s collaborative partnerships with a range of administrative, academic, and programmatic leaders on a University-wide scale. The VPIA will ensure that centralized Institutional Advancement initiatives align with and complement unit/campus-based fundraising initiatives. The VPIA will be the key figure in establishing the overall vision and goals for Touro Institutional Advancement to be facilitated through a combination of initiatives undertaken collaboratively or independently by respective units/campuses. This new era of Touro Institutional Advancement that will be strategically aligned on a University-wide scale is being operationally supported by the recent implementation of unified platforms for customer relationship management and fundraising, and the pending selection of unified wealth screening software for units/campuses. The VPIA will be empowered to assess and make recommendations to optimize the organizational structure and functional alignment of Touro Institutional Advancement in consultation with the Executive Vice President.

The VPIA will prioritize the highest levels of major and principal giving, strategically leveraging partnership with the Touro President, Executive Vice President, senior academic or programmatic leaders, and Board and other volunteer leaders, among others as appropriate.

The VPIA will be an accomplished, entrepreneurial advancement professional with extensive change management experience and a proven track record in major and principal gift fundraising. The VPIA will also demonstrate a strong commitment to fostering broad engagement with alumni and other key constituencies.

Candidate Profile

• Powerful connection to the mission and core values of Touro University.
• Fifteen years of progressive experience in fundraising and alumni affairs with a preference for previous experience in a complex higher education environment.
• At least seven years of experience leading and managing diverse professional staff in advancement.
• Proven success in the building, leading, and change management of comprehensive advancement programs, including major and principal donor solicitation and campaign management.
• Experience in executing fundraising strategies, setting and meeting goals, and managing programs including capital campaigns, major gifts, prospect research, events, grant writing and planned giving.
• Track record of creative thinking supported by strong judgment and sensitivity in identifying and creating new giving opportunities for programs.
• Strong knowledge of best practices in donor research, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with a history of securing six and seven-figure gifts.
• Demonstrated success in the leadership of major and/or comprehensive fundraising campaigns.
• Knowledge of fundraising software and digital marketing and reporting tools to manage campaigns, engage donors, and track results. Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook.