Assistant Vice President of Development

Assistant Vice President for Development

Reports To: President
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Status: Full-Time
Department: Development / University Advancement

Position Summary

The Assistant Vice President for Development serves as the senior operational leader for the University’s development function and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the development office. Reporting directly to the President, this position provides strategic and hands-on leadership for fundraising, donor engagement, corporate and foundation relations, grant development, outreach, stewardship, campaign planning, and development operations. The Assistant Vice President for Development oversees the Assistant Director of Development and leads the planning, coordination, and execution of development initiatives that expand philanthropic support, strengthen donor relationships, and advance the mission and priorities of the University.

Position Responsibilities

Development Office Leadership and Administration

• Direct and manage the day-to-day activities of the development office.
• Supervise and provide leadership to the Assistant Director of Development and any other assigned development staff.
• Establish office priorities, workflows, goals, and performance expectations to ensure efficient and effective development operations.
• Build and maintain a well-organized, responsive, and mission-driven development function with capacity for future growth.
• Oversee departmental budget responsibilities and manage resources assigned to development activities.

Strategic Fundraising and Campaign Planning

• Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy designed to grow annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, special gifts, and campaign support.
• Assist in shaping and executing institution-wide fundraising campaigns and strategic development initiatives.
• Lead development planning efforts, including annual work plans, donor outreach strategies, fundraising calendars, and event-related planning.
• Prepare briefing materials, presentations, and strategy documents for the President, Board members, and other University leaders involved in fundraising.
• Track fundraising initiatives, progress, and outcomes, and recommend adjustments to improve results.

Donor Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship

• Personally manage a portfolio of donors and major gift prospects using moves management principles.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni, parents, friends, corporate partners, foundations, and other stakeholders.
• Develop donor strategies and customized proposals for individual, corporate, and foundation support.
• Expand the University’s donor base through proactive outreach, relationship-building, and consistent engagement.
• Oversee donor recognition and stewardship programs to ensure meaningful acknowledgement and long-term relationship development.
• Maintain strong relationships with scholarship donors, sponsors, and other philanthropic supporters.

Corporate, Foundation, and Government Relations

• Build and manage a portfolio of corporate, foundation, and government funding prospects aligned with institutional priorities.
• Identify and pursue grant opportunities from private foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Lead or coordinate the development, writing, submission, and follow-up of grant proposals and reports in collaboration with faculty and staff.
• Develop partnership models that support scholarships, academic initiatives, workforce development, student success, research, and capital needs.
• Monitor trends in philanthropy, sponsorship, grants, and workforce partnerships to inform strategy.

Outreach, Events, and External Engagement

• Oversee all outreach efforts of the development office, including donor communications, relationship cultivation, campaign visibility, and external engagement planning.
• Develop and manage fundraising, cultivation, and recognition events.
• Represent the University at donor meetings, community events, conferences, and partnership discussions.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications to develop compelling messaging, donor materials, and campaign content.
• Strengthen alumni and friend engagement through coordinated outreach initiatives and strategic programming.

Collaboration with University Leadership

• Serve as a strategic partner to the President on fundraising priorities, donor strategy, and development opportunities.
• Work closely with academic leadership, faculty, staff, and administrative units to identify funding priorities and create integrated fundraising strategies.
• Support Board and committee development work through preparation of materials, follow-up, and coordination of development-related activities.
• Advise campus leaders involved in donor relationships and help coordinate prospect activity across the institution.

Development Operations and Systems

• Oversee the effective use of donor databases, CRM systems, and reporting tools to support fundraising operations.
• Ensure accurate recordkeeping, prospect tracking, reporting, stewardship documentation, and compliance with ethical fundraising practices.
• Develop and improve systems, policies, metrics, and procedures that support a scalable and accountable development program.
• Use data and reporting to measure performance, identify opportunities, and strengthen donor engagement efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in business, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Significant progressive experience in fundraising, development, advancement, or nonprofit leadership, preferably in higher education or a mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated success in donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and relationship management.
• Experience with annual giving, major gifts, grants, corporate partnerships, events, and development operations.
• Experience supervising staff and managing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with donor databases and CRM systems, preferably Raiser's Edge or similar platforms, along with standard reporting and productivity tools.
• Ability to work independently, strategically, and collaboratively in a dynamic environment.

Preferred Attributes

• Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build and grow development functions.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with close attention to detail.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior leadership, trustees, donors, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Commitment to the mission of higher education and student success.