VP of Advancement

Job Description

Job Description

The Vice President of Institutional Advancement serves as the college's chief fundraising and external relations leader, responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive advancement strategy in support of the college's mission and strategic priorities. This position provides senior-level leadership across all advancement functions, including major gifts, annual fund, planned giving, corporate partnerships, and grant development. The Vice President manages a team of advancement professionals and serves as a highly visible external spokesperson for the college.

Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President plays a critical role in advancing the college's She Will Campaign — a $61 million comprehensive fundraising initiative — and is ultimately accountable for meeting annual and campaign fundraising goals. This position works in close partnership with the President and Board of Trustees and is instrumental in supporting the college's overarching goal of increasing student enrollment and retention.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Fundraising Strategy & Campaign Leadership

• Develop, implement, and continuously evaluate a comprehensive fundraising strategy encompassing major gifts, the annual fund, planned giving, and corporate partnerships

• Provide strategic leadership for the She Will Campaign, driving progress toward the $61 million goal through donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

• Personally manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors

• Establish annual fundraising goals and metrics in partnership with the President; serve as the primary accountable party for goal attainment

• Carry primary responsibility for achieving annual and campaign fundraising goals, including the direct cultivation and solicitation of six- and seven-figure gifts.

Donor Communications Strategy

• Direct and develop comprehensive donor communications strategies and campaigns that inspire philanthropic investment and deepen donor engagement

• Oversee the creation of compelling, mission-aligned content across multiple channels including print, digital, social media, and personal correspondence

• Ensure consistency and effectiveness of advancement messaging in alignment with the college's voice and strategic priorities

Team Leadership & Management

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate a team of advancement staff responsible for relationship-based fundraising, community engagement, events, and advancement communications

• Foster a collaborative, mission-driven team culture aligned with the values of the college

• Ensure appropriate staffing, training, and professional development within the advancement office

External Relations & Institutional Representation

• Serve as a compelling and visible external spokesperson for the college, articulating the mission and case for philanthropic support to diverse audiences

• Cultivate and steward relationships with corporate partners, community stakeholders, and prospective donors

• Identify and pursue grant opportunities aligned with institutional priorities; oversee grant management as appropriate

Board & Presidential Partnership

• Partner closely with the President on donor strategy, campaign progress, and advancement priorities

• Engage regularly with the Board of Trustees, supporting trustees in their roles as advancement advocates and connectors

• Provide regular reporting to the President and Board on fundraising activity and goal progress

Enrollment & Retention Alignment

• Collaborate with academic, student affairs, and enrollment leadership to ensure advancement strategies directly support student recruitment and persistence

• Align donor communications and stewardship with the college's enrollment and retention priorities

Qualifications:

Required

• Demonstrated success in fundraising leadership with experience in major gifts, donor relations, and advancement program management

• Proven ability to lead, manage, and develop a professional team

• Exceptional interpersonal, and public speaking skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences

• Persuasive writing and strong communication skills, with demonstrated ability to craft compelling donor-facing content across multiple channels including print, digital, and social media.

• Experience working with senior leadership, governing boards, or volunteer leadership

• Deep alignment with the mission of women's liberal arts education

• Commitment to relationship-based fundraising and community engagement

Preferred

• Experience in higher education advancement; comparable nonprofit experience will be considered

• Familiarity with comprehensive capital campaigns and multi-year fundraising initiatives

• Knowledge of planned giving vehicles and corporate partnership development

• Familiarity with advancement CRM systems and data-driven fundraising strategies