Vice Chancellor

Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement

The Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) Office of Institutional Advancement works with the University community to advance the SUNO brand and reputation. We aim to grow enrollment, maintain high academic standards, increase alumni engagement and giving, and strive to be included in the US News & World Report Edition of Best Colleges.

The Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement (VCIA) will provide executive and administrative direction across the University’s advancement and alumni relations programs as a member of the Chancellor's senior leadership team. The VCIA is expected to be a visionary, strategic, people-focused, and results-oriented leader. The VCIA has oversight responsibility for all staff and activities involved with fundraising and alumni relations to support the programs of the University. As such, the VCIA will provide strategic direction and leadership for the division and for supporting, developing and directing staff towards meeting fundraising goals and expanding outreach and increasing visibility of the University locally, regionally and nationally.

As the Chief Advancement Officer, the VCIA is tasked with inspiring staff and leading in a manner consistent with SUNO's mission and core values. The VCIA will secure external support for SUNO through campaigns, annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, grants (corporation and foundation), and other programs. In addition to the Chief Advancement Officer, the VCIA is also the official spokesperson for the University. The Division of Institutional Advancement houses the central communications unit for the University, working in collaboration with hundreds of communicators across our campus. The VCIA will be a highly visible presence in the community, both on campus and beyond.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Institutional Advancement Responsibilities

• Advance the mission, vision, and short and long-term goals of the University in concert with the Chancellor and senior leadership.
• Work closely with the Chancellor in all phases of advancement and campaign leadership activities.
• Serve as a member of the University Leadership Team, liaison for institutional advancement to the Board of Supervisors, and with the SUNO and SUS Foundations.
• Maintain a dynamic portfolio of corporations, foundations, alumni, and individual donors to secure major, capital, and planned gifts, as well as advanced annual gifts and endowment support.
• Participate in strategic discussions and develop programs to strengthen the financial resources of the University.
• Create and execute fundraising plans that utilize best practices in annual, major, and planned gift programs to meet fundraising goals.
• Ensure dynamic processes in all phases of donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Engage university programs and maintain cooperative working relationships with administrators, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and other key community constituents.
• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of internal and external communications and marketing strategies that promote the institution and improve its brand.
• Supervise staff, lead special projects and carry out other duties as assigned.

Public Relations, Marketing & Communications Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the Enrollment Management unit to provide pioneering, deliberate communications services to enhance the University’s visibility and reputation as well as expand recruiting efforts to increase enrollment.
• Develop and implement our public affairs strategy in support of organizational goals.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with members of the media.
• Serve as a primary public spokesperson for the university by quickly gathering, validating, and summarizing important information.
• Lead our crisis communications and issues management teams using positive organizational development practices.
• Collaborate with a broad array of internal stakeholders including the Department of Facilities Management, Campus Police, cross‑functional teams, Director of Health Services, Athletics and Student Life leadership.
• Oversee the Career Services department and provide strategic guidance to impact departmental policy and the development of students and alumni.
• Monitor the department’s engagement in the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) by ensuring focus in the predefined measures.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Ability to work in close partnership with the SUNO and Southern University System (SUS) Foundations on major philanthropic initiatives.
• Knowledge of the local philanthropic community is a plus.
• Successful cultivator, solicitor and steward of relationships with major donors, including individuals, foundations, corporations and legacy giving.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire and mentor staff, responsibly delegate tasks, and ensure a collaborative working environment.
• The ability to work and collaborate effectively with many diverse constituencies at the University and in the community.
• Ability to build productive relationships with the Chancellor's cabinet and other senior leaders, faculty, development colleagues, corporate leaders, philanthropists, alumni, parents, Board of Supervisors, and other constituents.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to governance structures and practices in higher education.
• Energetic, hardworking self‑starter with an engaging personality; brings optimism and flexibility to the task; self‑disciplined; and dedicated to excellence.
• An excellent communicator, a listener, a strong leader, and a team player, with superior organizational and writing skills. The ability to synthesize, streamline and share information from a variety of sources to illuminate the King’s mission to a broad audience.
• Success in high level fundraising, donor stewardship, capital and renovation campaigns, endowment planning and growth, and other strategic development efforts.
• Strong professional integrity and grounding in philanthropy with an understanding of legal and ethical implications of fundraising.
• Experienced in fundraising and constituent‑related technologies (e.g., CRM systems).
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and experience in creatively and effectively bringing about positive change and maintaining high morale.
• Network with peers and participate in membership in outside advancement organizations to bring back to campus best practices and ideas from other institutions.

Work Environment

Office and classroom setting. Ability to sit/stand/walk at will; Ability to climb stairs; Ability to communicate verbally and in writing; Ability to use a keyboard; and Ability to lift or carry up to 10 pounds.

Travel and flexible work hours are required.

Required Education and Experience

• A minimum of ten years of experience as a senior level advancement professional in higher education is preferred, including five-plus (5+) years of leadership experience in development/philanthropy, preferably with a college or university, not‑for‑profit, community, or similar organization. Will also consider similarly experienced candidates with sales or marketing backgrounds in private business.
• Bachelor's degree required. Doctorate preferred.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master’s degree or Doctorate degree highly preferred.
• Outstanding development professional with a demonstrated track record as a fundraiser, leader, collaborator and strategist is preferred.
• Engaging and charismatic speaker for Board and outside events highly preferred.

Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Non‑Discrimination Statement

In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal, state, and local laws, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) forbids discriminating or harassing conduct that is based on an individual's race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in Uniformed Services, and all other categories protected by applicable state and federal laws.

This commitment applies but is not limited to decisions made with respect to hiring and promotion, the administration of educational programs and policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other College‑administered programs. Discriminatory acts of any kind are strictly forbidden.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Office of Human Resources.

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Administrative

Industries

• Higher Education

Benefits (Inferred)

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Pension plan
• Paid maternity leave
• Paid paternity leave