Description

SUMMARY:

Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President of Institutional Advancement will oversee the institutional advancement activities of MCAD, including fundraising, communications, and broad and meaningful relationship-building with donors, prospective donors, sponsors, alumni, volunteers, city and community representatives, and the general public. The Vice President will work in concert with the President and executive leadership council to refine and implement a comprehensive advancement program for MCAD, including oversight of the work of all institutional advancement staff while supporting the goals of the College's campus plan and its strategic plan.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Actively lead the College’s fundraising activities, including individual donor solicitation and corporate, foundation, and government relations.
• Oversee the College’s responsibilities to donors to ensure the highest level of stewardship.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with key donors, expanding and diversifying the donor base to ensure ongoing support for key initiatives.
• Develop and track fundraising metrics for the institutional advancement team to ensure goals are met.
• Manage a portfolio of at least one hundred prospects through the development pipeline.
• Cultivate a culture of philanthropy within the college and its community through engaging events and initiatives.
• Establish and implement a multi-year comprehensive fundraising plan, working closely with staff, colleagues, the President, and members of the Board of Trustees.
• Identify opportunities and needs to increase existing and establish new support from corporations, foundations, and government grants, leveraging internal resources.
• Provide transparent financial reporting to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees, ensuring accountability and alignment with organizational goals.
• Support the President and members of the Board of Trustees in their activities related to promoting the College and fundraising.
• Work closely with members of the Board of Trustees to increase their participation in major fundraising activities, including major donor solicitations and events.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Board’s Development Committee.
• Work with the President and members of the Board of Trustees to assist in identifying potential new members of the Board.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Exercise sensitivity to College needs, employee and student goodwill, and overall brand equity of MCAD as an employer and educational institution.
• Represent MCAD’s vision, purpose, and values in day-to-day work and interactions with MCAD students, staff, faculty, and campus guests, as well as the greater community.

Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in a related field is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
• 8 or more years of advancement/development experience is strongly preferred. 
• 3 or more years of experience leading the advancement function within a non-profit organization is strongly preferred.
• Evidence of successful fundraising in the arts and/or higher education is strongly preferred, including experience with a major capital campaign and major gift solicitations.
• Knowledge of best practices in fundraising, donor stewardship, and reporting.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement innovative fundraising strategies to achieve organizational goals.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and motivate staff, volunteers, and donors,
• Demonstrated financial acumen and budget management skills.
• Genuine passion for community engagement and advancing the mission of MCAD.
• Strong problem-solving skills and technical aptitude.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate communication and collaborate across departments.
• Demonstrated success in working with a CEO, trustees, and staff colleagues.
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral, required.
• Experience with a Higher Education environment is preferred.
• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification strongly preferred. 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Vice President of Institutional Advancement will report to the President, Sanjit Sethi, and will serve as a member of the College’s Executive Leadership Council, contributing to major policy discussions and decisions of the College. The Vice President will oversee an advancement team of three people:

Grants Manager

Annual Fund & Alumni Relations Officer

Advancement Operations Associate

COLLEGE LEADERSHIP

Executive Leadership Council:

Sanjit Sethi, President

Annie Gillette Cleveland, Vice President of Communications & Marketing Strategy

Melissa Huybrecht, Vice President of Enrollment Management

Mary Alma Noonan, Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer

Robert Ransick, Vice President of Academic Affairs

Nick Raverty, Sr. Advisor & Director of Board Relations

Jen Zuccola, Vice President of Student Affairs

TO APPLY: Please submit a resume and cover letter to https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/All/b0ccf9fc-c11e-4ce1-bb54-075eb5c74c59/Minneapolis-College-of-Art-and-Design. 

MCAD is especially interested in candidates from under-represented groups as well as individuals who have experience with diverse populations who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the MCAD community. MCAD welcomes diversity of identity, experience, and thought. Members of marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.

ENVIRONMENT: This position operates in a professional office environment. This position requires the ability and willingness to closely partner with team members and colleagues in other departments. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Upon request, reasonable accommodation will be provided to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

BENEFITS: MCAD’s community of staff and faculty enjoy a dynamic, creative, and inclusive work environment. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, and 403(b) retirement plans, commuter benefits, and employer paid basic life insurance policy, short term and long-term disability coverage.
MCAD promotes work-life balance with 14 paid holidays, an additional two personal holidays, accrued vacation time, accrued sick time, and volunteer time off.
In addition, after six months of service, full-time employees and their eligible dependents can receive free tuition at MCAD, as well as the potential to receive reduced tuition at more than 600 colleges nationwide.

BACKGROUND: MCAD emboldens creative leaders to collaboratively transform society through equity, empathy, and imagination. MCAD provides a transformative education within a community of support for creative students of all backgrounds to work, collaborate, and lead with confidence in a dynamic, interconnected world. MCAD students become accomplished makers and scholars; equity-minded problem solvers; critical, conceptual thinkers; inclusive, collaborative partners; empathic listeners; creative storytellers; and engaged citizens within a global context.

Founded in 1886, Minneapolis College of Art and Design is located in the rich creative community of the Twin Cities. Recognized nationally and internationally for its innovative approaches to art and design education, MCAD is home to approximately 800 students from 45 states and 15 countries. The college offers bachelor’s degrees in fourteen disciplines including arts entrepreneurship, design, fine arts, and media arts; one MFA; three online master’s degrees; and continuing education classes for all ages. Through the core curriculum, students focus on their careers and craft by learning technical and professional skills while developing their creative leadership capabilities. 

MCAD’s four-year graduation rate is among the highest of all art and design colleges. Students are carefully selected for their creative talents and intellectual abilities, and they are some of the most talented artists and designers in the country. Through the four-year core curriculum, students focus on their careers early while learning technical and professional skills and developing their creative, intellectual, and leadership capabilities. 

World-class art and design education begins with world-class educators. Working artists and designers who are respected in their fields, MCAD’s faculty are renowned for their ingenuity, expertise, and commitment as instructors. Each year they inspire new generations of creative thinkers to make the successful transition from students to professional artists and designers. 

MCAD is a close, supportive, and transformative community that impacts graduates their entire lives.