Vice President for Advancement

Belmont Abbey College (www.bac.edu) a private, non-profit Catholic Benedictine institution, minutes from Charlotte, North Carolina is searching for a Vice President for Advancement. The Vice President of Advancement is a pivotal leadership position as the College advances its mission-driven goals and positions itself as a national Catholic liberal arts institution committed to the education and formation of the minds, souls, and bodies of future leaders in the Catholic intellectual tradition. As a critical member of the Cabinet, the Vice President for Advancement will report directly to the newly appointed President, retired Lieutenant General, Dr. Jeffrey Talley (https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/about-us/college-leadership/dr-jeffrey-w-talley/), while collaborating closely with the Chief of Staff and other Cabinet leaders to help guide the College’s strategic direction. The Vice President for Advancement will be responsible for leading, directing, and growing the College’s fundraising plan, and will serve as a trusted advisor to the President, in an effort to establish the College’s vision for engagement and philanthropy. S/he will be exceptional at building authentic relationships with donors, the broader College community, and local community leaders, fostering trust through transparent communication with the Board of Trustees, senior leadership, faculty, and staff. The Vice President for Advancement will manage a robust portfolio and a dynamic advancement team to ensure the immediate growth and long-term sustainability of the College.

The Vice President for Advancement will oversee the following essential functions:

• Grow fundraising and donor engagement through portfolio management of major gift prospects, current and past parents, alumni, and friends of the College.
• Lead the planning and execution of Annual Giving, special campaigns, targeted fundraising initiatives, and the Capital Campaign.
• Partner with both the President and the Chancellor on major gift solicitations and Board engagements.
• Plan and execute donor strategies, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Build community engagement with a visible and enthusiastic presence at all Belmont Abbey College community and key events.
• Strengthen relationships with alumni through significant improvements in Belmont Abbey College’s Alumni Association’s programming, events, communications, and outreach.
• Develop meaningful engagement opportunities for current and past families, alumni, and community members, fostering a strong culture of philanthropy rooted in the College’s mission and legacy.
• Supervise and support a team of advancement professionals through mentorship, guidance, and performance feedback to ensure professional growth and exceptional performance.
• Develop and implement a strategic advancement plan ensuring alignment of philanthropic strategies with institutional priorities and mission.
• Advise the President, Cabinet, and other senior leadership, and represent advancement affairs to the Board of Trustees in a timely, comprehensive, and coherent manner.
• Implement efficient advancement software to ensure accurate and timely donor records, prospect tracking, and reporting.
• Monitor fundraising performance and provide regular updates to senior leadership, Board of Trustees, and other stakeholders.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have a track record of impactful and sustained success, a strategic ambition that creates results, and a compassionate mindset with a student-centered approach that reflects Catholic mission and values. S/he will be a strategic and collaborative executive leader with expertise in fundraising and major gift work, possessing the presence and credibility to engage effectively with Trustees and stakeholders, the emotional intelligence to build a culture of partnership, and the vision to align institutional mission and priorities with philanthropic acumen.

Requirements:

• a minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in development including a proven track record in annual fund giving, major gift solicitation, and capital campaign management
• extensive administration and leadership experience, ideally at the senior level in higher education or the nonprofit sector
• a master’s degree (business administration, marketing, finance, or related field preferred)
• proficiency in advancement services, donor data systems, and strategic financial stewardship
• dynamic ability to promote the College’s mission and identity across multiple settings, from major donor events to one-on-one donor visits
• must be a practicing Catholic, demonstrating a life consistent with Church teachings
• must uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church with specific attention to the Catholic intellectual tradition, Apostolic Constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae, and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning
• must serve as a visible Christian leader both on and off campus, providing personal witness to the Gospel through professional conduct
• must have excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills with donors, volunteers, and colleagues, with the highest degree of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
• CFRE certification is preferred

The College:

Belmont Abbey College is a private, non-profit Catholic, Benedictine institution founded in 1876, located in Belmont, North Carolina, a desirable suburb of Charlotte. The College’s mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified by maintaining institutional objectives that inspire students to embrace their full potential. Belmont Abbey College is the apostolate of Belmont Abbey, a full and active monastery whose members welcome students and visitors to liturgy and fellowship. Belmont Abbey is a Newman Guide college recommended for their strong Catholic identity and is ranked #2 in undergraduate teaching in the South by U.S. News and World Report. As a liberal arts institution, Belmont Abbey College seeks to assist its students to become both liberally educated and well prepared for the tasks and responsibilities of professional life. This education combines liberal arts with professional majors and minors to better prepare students for careers.

Belmont Abbey College is being assisted by Hyatt – Fennell, Executive Search. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should be submitted via email to bacvpa@hyatt-fennell.com. Applications include a letter of interest, a current résumé/cv, and contact information for five professional references, submitted in separate documents. The position will remain open until filled. All applications and nominations will be considered highly confidential.

Belmont Abbey College will not tolerate harassment and/or discrimination of any kind against any person or group of individuals because of age, race, national origin, sex, religion, or disability. Harassment is defined as any behavior (verbal, written, or physical) that abuses, demeans, or victimizes any person based on the above distinctions.

Pay: $225,000.00 - $250,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

Salary : $225,000 - $250,000