Associate Vice President, Development

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Associate Vice President, Development

Full Time Tucson, AZ, US

9 days ago Requisition ID: 1161

General Position Summary:

The Associate Vice President for Development (AVP) provides leadership, vision, and strategic direction for numerous college and unit fundraising programs. Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, this position is a key member of the UA Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement team (PAE) senior staff, providing support and coordinating the resources of other operating units to achieve optimum financial results. This position also works with senior University and PAE leaders, deans, department heads, faculty, and staff to achieve established fundraising goals and objectives.

The primary responsibilities of the Associate Vice President of Development are:

• Working under the direction of the SVP, this position is responsible for supporting and coordinating major-gift fundraising strategies for approximately 4-6 (four to six) campus colleges and/or units.
• Create and manage an original portfolio of 20-25 prospects, serving as a major/principal gifts officer who cultivates relationships, submits major/principal proposals, and stewards high level donors, spearhead specific fundraising initiatives as appropriate

Supervisory Responsibility :

This position is supervisory in nature. This position will be accountable for performance planning and evaluation, staff training and development, recruitment, employee relations, and management, planning, and execution of work and deliverables.

The successful candidate will work very closely with deans and unit directors and their development team members to foster a culture of major gift philanthropy, implement best practices, and to lead by example in personally implementing successful fundraising strategies with his/her own assigned prospects and donors and following UA and UAF relevant policies and procedures in doing so.

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:

• Assist in recruitment, training, coaching, and mentoring development professionals.
• Work with UA Foundation colleagues, UA senior leadership, college/unit development officers, and deans/unit directors to establish annual fundraising goals and guide specific fundraising strategies that are aligned with the PAE Development Program goals; reviewing and developing a moves management approach that takes prospects from identification through stewardship.
• Executes agreed upon metrics including donor/prospect visits, major/principal gift asks and funds raised.
• Coordinate and execute quarterly team strategy meetings for top open proposals for current fiscal year for both lead and non‑lead development officers.
• Working with PAE senior staff and HR, identify and assist in creating and executing appropriate training and professional development opportunities.
• Ensure accountability for fundraising metrics of the team and exemplify accountability and transparency by routinely recording contact reports, proposals, and other pertinent information, and following UA and UAF development‑related policies and procedures.
• Support consistent messaging with development team, supporting overall goals, objectives, and processes.
• Educate and inform various internal and external constituent groups about development services provided by the PAE.
• Collaborate with senior University administrators and academic leadership team members, as well as other University, PAE and community leaders, on matters related to soliciting and securing private support for the advancement of the University of Arizona to ensure solid communication with all colleges/units across campus in the execution of duties.
• Represent UA and PAE at campus and community events.
• Demonstrate and build a spirit of teamwork within a large and diverse organization.
• Build and manage a portfolio of 20-25 qualified prospects, including individuals, grateful patients, foundations, and select corporations.
• Achieve annual metrics: 100+ donor/prospect visits and 20+ proposals per year, with revenue expectations of $5M+ after onboarding.
• Ability to work with and command the respect of senior leadership, faculty, and administrators, and high‑level volunteers.
• Collaborate with faculty, clinicians, and researchers to identify philanthropic opportunities and translate complex initiatives into compelling donor cases.
• Engage and support volunteer leaders and boards as appropriate.
• Utilize the UAF CRM (Lynx) to record donor interactions, proposals, and activity in a timely, accurate manner.
• Partner with colleagues across PAE (e.g., Gift Planning, Marketing & Communications, Prospect Development) to ensure integrated donor engagement and maximize fundraising impact.
• Provide guidance for donor communications, event strategy, and stewardship plans.
• Ensure all gifts comply with University gift policies and are acknowledged appropriately.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Commitment to working in a collaborative team environment with shared goals.
• Ability to work efficiently with a wide variety of individuals, including donors, PAE colleagues, deans, faculty and staff.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and written.
• Demonstrated commitment to exceptional customer service with the ability to translate the PAE guiding principles of donor‑centricity and collaboration into work practices.
• Ability to recognize and handle highly confidential, sensitive or private health information in a discrete, professional manner in compliance with all state and federal regulations.
• Work with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Be able to work independently with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet strict deadlines for deliverables.
• Ability to anticipate and discern work priorities and meet deadlines with little supervision.
• Adept at problem‑solving and using judgment in situations requiring initiative, tact, and confidentiality.
• An exceptional work ethic and track record of personal initiative required.
• Openness to new ideas and personal flexibility with the ability to adapt and succeed in a multi‑task, fast‑paced environment with changing processes and occasional ambiguity.
• Ability to inspire cooperation and participation.
• Proficiency in the use of personal computers and Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Proficiency or ability to learn additional software is required to perform the essential duties of the position.
• Knowledge and proven experience implementing management principles, including planning, leading, directing, mentoring, evaluating, and motivating staff. May contribute to recommending pay decisions for their direct reports.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and (9) nine years of experience in major gift fundraising, including success securing gifts of $1 million or more.
• Demonstrated leadership in planning, executing, and closing major and principal gift solicitations.
• Ability to drive/attend meetings throughout Arizona and travel by commercial airline as needed.
• Any equivalent combination of experience, training, and/or education approved by Human Resources.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a complex university or academic health system environment.
• Management experience of development professionals and support staff.
• In‑state travel will be required.
• Occasional out‑of‑state travel involving commercial airlines and overnight stays may be required.
• The AVP will be required to work evenings and/or weekends to fulfill donor engagement and event responsibilities.