Vice President for University Advancement and President and CEO of the Missouri State University Foundation

WittKieffer is proud to partner with Missouri State University (MSU) in its search for a visionary Vice President for University Advancement (VPUA) and President and CEO of the Missouri State University Foundation to lead its fundraising, alumni relations, and events management efforts.

Missouri State University, a campus on the rise, is seeking a dynamic and visionary Vice President for University Advancement (VPUA). The VPUA serves as the institution’s chief advancement officer and a key strategic advisor to the president, providing leadership for all fundraising, alumni engagement, advancement services, donor relations, and advancement communications activities. Simultaneously serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Missouri State University Foundation, the VPUA oversees the university’s comprehensive development enterprise and is responsible for aligning philanthropic priorities with institutional goals. Reporting directly to President Richard B. Williams, the position plays a central role in shaping the university’s future through philanthropy, engagement, and strategic partnerships.

This opportunity comes at a particularly important moment in the trajectory of Missouri State University. As Missouri’s second-largest public university, serving more than 26,000 students across multiple campuses, the institution is experiencing considerable momentum. Under the leadership of President Williams, the university is pursuing an ambitious vision for growth and academic distinction, supported by the ability to offer doctoral programs, a rising institutional profile, and its transition in 2024 to Conference USA. At the same time, the university is implementing a new strategic plan that defines clear priorities and opportunities through 2030. These developments create an environment in which philanthropy can play a transformative role in accelerating institutional progress.

The next vice president will have a unique opportunity to partner with the president in developing a bold and ambitious advancement vision while preparing for the institution’s next comprehensive fundraising campaign. Building on the success of the university’s most recent campaign, which exceeded its $250 million goal at its close in 2022, the next leader will help define campaign priorities, articulate a compelling case for support, and mobilize alumni, donors, corporate partners, and community leaders around a shared vision for the future. Success will require both strategic thinking and disciplined execution, particularly in expanding donor pipelines and strengthening the university’s capacity for major, principal, and transformational gifts.

The vice president will also lead efforts to reimagine alumni engagement, leveraging the passion of more than 180,000 alumni worldwide to create deeper and more meaningful connections with the university. Working closely with academic leaders, deans, foundation trustees, alumni volunteers, and community stakeholders, the successful candidate will build a shared culture of philanthropy that advances institutional priorities across the university.

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished advancement executive with a record of campaign leadership, major and principal gift fundraising success, team development, and board engagement. Equally important will be the ability to communicate Missouri State’s mission with authenticity and enthusiasm, inspire confidence among diverse constituents, and serve as a collaborative partner in helping the university realize its aspirations. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead advancement at a growing public university with significant momentum, a loyal alumni base, and the philanthropic potential to elevate its impact throughout Missouri and beyond.

Missouri State University is a community of people with respect for diversity. The University emphasizes the dignity and equality common to all persons and adheres to a strict non-discrimination policy regarding the treatment of individual faculty, staff, and students. In accord with federal law and applicable Missouri statutes, the University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including ancestry, or any other subcategory of national origin recognized by applicable law), religion, sex (including marital status, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other subcategory of sex recognized by applicable law), age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law in employment or in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University. Sex discrimination encompasses sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence, and is strictly prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

This policy shall not be interpreted in a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

The University maintains a grievance procedure incorporating due process available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. Missouri State University is an Equal Opportunity employer. Inquiries concerning the complaint/grievance procedure related to discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including sexual harassment and sexual assault, or compliance with federal and state laws and guidelines, should be addressed to the Director, Office for Institutional Compliance, Carrington Hall 205, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, Missouri 65897, View email address on click.appcast.io, View phone number on click.appcast.io.