Director of Advancement

Director Of Advancement

Cleary University, a rapidly growing, student-centered institution in southeast Michigan, seeks a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and relationship-driven professional to serve as Director of Advancement. Reporting to the Vice President of Advancement, the Director of Advancement will play a key role in building and executing Cleary University's growing advancement program. This position will work across all areas of advancement, including annual giving, foundation and grant development, corporate partnerships, alumni engagement, events, donor stewardship, and advancement operations. The Director will serve as an important partner to the Vice President of Advancement, helping translate the University's advancement strategy into effective day-to-day execution. This is a hands-on position for an advancement professional who is comfortable building relationships, managing projects, cultivating donors, and working across multiple areas of a growing advancement program.

Key Responsibilities:

Development & Fundraising

• Personally manage a portfolio of prospective donors and cultivate relationships with alumni, parents, foundations, and corporations.
• Execute and expand the university's efforts in foundation relations, grant development, including the Secunda Museum, and building a robust pipeline of external funding.
• Partner with the VP, faculty, and institutional leaders to identify funding priorities and build compelling cases for support.
• Coordinate closely with Athletics to align and elevate athletic fundraising, ensuring it supports both advancement goals and athletic program growth.
• Ensure best practices in donor stewardship, CRM/database management, and compliance.

Alumni & Community Engagement

• Collaborate with the Director of Career Services and Alumni Relations to build cohesive strategies that increase alumni pride, loyalty, and participation.
• Collaborate on programming and communications while exploring future opportunities to integrate alumni relations more fully within advancement.
• Build strong partnerships with civic, philanthropic, and corporate organizations that support Cleary's mission.
• Convert Cleary's growing database, successful event track record, and donor communications into increased alumni activation and giving.

Marketing & Communications

• Manage day-to-day alumni marketing and communications in coordination with Cleary's Director of Marketing to ensure consistent, compelling messaging across all platforms.
• Collaborate with Marketing to align branding and storytelling with Advancement goals.
• Enhance Cleary's visibility and reputation through strategic media, digital, and content initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience:

• A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
• A minimum of five years of experience in fundraising, advancement, nonprofit development, higher education, marketing & communications or a related field.
• Experience with donor cultivation, fundraising, events, grant development, corporate relations, or alumni engagement.
• Strong written and verbal communication and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience with a fundraising CRM or donor database preferred.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• A commitment to Cleary's mission and student success.

Why This Role at Cleary? This is a rare opportunity to join a nimble, growing institution at a moment of energy and momentum. The VP will have the full support of a visionary president, an ambitious Board, and a deeply committed leadership team. With a compelling mission, expanding national footprint, and a bold strategic vision, Cleary University is poised for an era of transformative philanthropy—and the VP will be at the heart of that story.

Location: This position is based at Cleary's Howell, Michigan campus. Cleary University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability status.