Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Relations

Position Summary

The Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Relations is the Chief Advancement Officer at Converse University, responsible for the overall leadership and performance of resource development and external constituents' engagement with the University. The Vice President oversees the daily operations and strategic management of philanthropy and fundraising, institutional advisory boards, special advancement-oriented events, alumni engagement, relationship management, and donor communications, as well as all outreach activities. The Vice President will drive efforts and formulate policies and programs that grow financial and human investment in the University; will coordinate and oversee the University's relationships and partnerships with external entities; will oversee the evolution and implementation of a cohesive fundraising strategy for the University in all forms of outreach to external and internal constituencies; and will supervise and expand efforts that broaden the visibility, reputation, and utilization of the University and its resources to external constituencies.

The Vice President will serve on the University's President's Cabinet and works directly with the Board of Trustees to build visibility, relationships, and resources The Vice President will provide strategic direction and oversight for the functional areas of Philanthropy and Relationship Management (fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship), Advancement Services, Advisory Boards, Alumni Engagement and Donor Relations, Grant Support, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Communications and Marketing, and Special Donor and Alumni Events.

To view the full position profile, please view Converse – Position Profile

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Strategic Executive Leadership

• Act as Chief Advancement Officer supporting the President and the Board of Trustees in building relationships and facilitating programs and initiatives designed to engage a broad range of constituents, including alumni, donors, athletic boosters, corporations, foundations, public officials, and other friends of the University.
• Work closely with the Board of Trustees and University Leadership to develop multi-year fund-raising goals and corresponding strategies for sustainable long-term growth.
• Serve as a member of the President's Cabinet and collaborates with other members in the assessment, development, and implementation of institutional initiatives, policies, and procedures.
• Counsel and advise the President and President's Cabinet on Institutional Advancement matters, including the success of departmental day-to-day operations, conveying an atmosphere of excellence and distinction in support of the University's mission, vision, core values, and goals.
• Partner with the President and collaborate university-wide, actively driving the strategic plan forward in alignment with system and state initiatives. Participate in the development and implementation of strategic long-term plans.
  
  

Management Philanthropy, Advancement Services, Alumni, Grants, and Marketing and Communications

• Lead Institutional Advancement staff to build an integrated organization that significantly increases targets for unrestricted, restricted, and endowment funds at the university and institutional levels while managing fund-raising costs.
• Set and Lead Institutional Advancement and Communications Unit Outcomes in accordance with the university's accrediting body, SACSCOC.
• Collaborate, partner, and meet with leaders and team members within the department to ensure alignment of goals and activities.
• Support and facilitate a work environment that encourages high team morale, quality of service, and enthusiastic motivation to accomplish established goals and objectives
  
  

Communications and Marketing

• Direct the development and effective execution of comprehensive and cohesive communication, marketing, public relations, and brand-building strategies to internal and external constituencies to meet advancement goals for various targeted and general populations while utilizing different media platforms.
• Manage, develop, and implement a communications and marketing strategy to enhance the mission, share the impact, and convey the university's progress to internal and external audiences.
  
  

Advancement Strategy and Operations

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Institutional Advancement plan.
• Both directly and indirectly, supervise all Institutional Advancement staff, including all associated management responsibilities.
• Ensure continuous oversight of Institutional Advancement finances, including all applicable departmental budgets, grants, and investments.
• Develop an annual report of activities for distribution to board members, donors, college officials, and other interested parties.
• Represent Institutional Advancement at community meetings, including a summary of activities, key accomplishments, challenges, and upcoming focuses.
• Manage budgets, restricted and unrestricted accounts, and record-keeping systems of the investment portfolio.
• Collaborate with the Business Office with regard to accounts, resources, investments, and financial statements. Respond to audit findings regarding development activities in conjunction with the college's investment account, as necessary.
• Assure adherence to state and federal regulations, institution policies, and relevant accreditation standards to contribute to the university's overall success by performing all other duties and responsibilities assigned by the President.
• Provide strategic direction and support to grant management to ensure that opportunities are assessed and applied within the University's overall strategic plan and focus, to expand financial resources and program delivery, and to identify priorities for funding. Prepare, review and/or submit public and private grant proposals.
• Oversee the administration and compliance of grant awards. Within the college and surrounding community, works to heighten awareness of the benefits of grants and their positive impact on the college and student success.
• Oversee efforts of advancement services to include prospect research, gift processing and donor/alumni database management.
• Oversees efforts of donor relations to provide thoughtful and timely stewardship.
  
  

Philanthropy

• Steward all activities to achieve revenue targets for the University's current comprehensive campaign, planned giving, annual giving, and special initiatives.
• Plan and lead future large-scale capital or endowment campaigns, including planning, executing, and evaluating their successes.
• Utilize extensive experience in securing large gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations, including direct solicitation and stewardship of high-net-worth donors.
• Oversee the broader donor landscape, including annual fund campaigns and effective alumni engagement.
• Manage alumni relations, research, and operations components of Advancement to a high level of efficiency to streamline and optimize giving opportunities.
• Cultivate and entertain alumni and prospective donors at various events, some of which may be held during evenings or weekends as required and may involve domestic and international travel.
• All other duties as assigned by the President or Board of Trustees.
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS The Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Relations will be a person of character, drive, creativity, and integrity. He or she will be a leader who can work both autonomously and as a member of a collaborative, tightly-knit team under strong presidential leadership. He or she will be an effective and inspiring manager who is a strong communicator, who has excellent organizational and writing skills, and who provides vision, accountability, leadership and support to the division as a whole and individual team members. He or she will have the ability and confidence to serve as a chief strategic advisor to the President and Board of Trustees in the University's efforts to develop and implement multi-year advancement strategies and to strengthen governance transparency. He or she will have a deep understanding of and commitment to the value of a historic women's college as well as the benefits and opportunities of expanding and advancing the institution. He or she will appreciate being driven to achieve results and will develop a results-oriented team.

Minimum Qualifications For Consideration

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) or Certificate in Nonprofit Management is a plus.
• Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible experience in as well as supervisory experience leading teams specializing in the following areas:
• Institutional advancement and philanthropy/fundraising
• Donor relations and advancement services
• Capital and comprehensive campaigns
• Cross-department collaboration
• Budget management and financial acumen
• Community engagement and customer relationship management
  
  

Communications and marketingLeadership & Management: Proven ability in goal-setting, supervision, accountability, and budget management with integrity and professionalism.Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal/written skills; fosters open communication and effective relationships across diverse internal and external stakeholders.Strategic Vision: Aligns advancement strategy with institutional mission through visionary thinking and long-term planning.Fundraising Expertise: Extensive experience in major gifts, to include success in pursuing transformative gifts, capital campaigns and overcoming associated challenges, planned and annual giving, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship to include strengthened prospect research, and heightened donor engagement. Proven leadership and ability to cast a shared and innovative vision for advancement activities that encourages creativity amongst a highly engaged team.Marketing & Community Engagement: Skilled in marketing, communications, and building partnerships that enhance institutional visibility and support.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

We believe that a diverse faculty and staff are essential to achieving academic excellence; thus, we strongly encourage applications from candidates from all racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Qualifications

COMPENSATION Salary offered will be commensurate with qualifications and experience of the candidate selected. Converse University offers employees a collegial environment committed to professional growth, work-life balance, and a purpose-driven community committed to excellence, creativity, and inclusion. Converse encourages ongoing professional development and participation in national advancement and leadership associations. Converse University provides employees with comprehensive benefits that make total compensation competitive and attractive for employees. In addition to generous vacation leave and holiday paid time off, benefit options include:

• Retirement plans
• Health insurance with dental and vision plans
• Supplemental Pet, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity coverage
• Individual and dependent life insurance
• Long-Term and Short-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Programs: (EAP) Health Advocate and Lincoln Services
• Flexible Spending Account
• First Stop Telehealth
• Tuition remission at Converse University
• Tuition Exchange Program
• Onsite wellness center
• On-campus fitness center and swimming pool
• Campus dining hall meals at reduced rates
  
  

For more information, please visit Converse University 2025-2026 Annual Benefits Brochure Relocation assistance and executive onboarding support me be available for the successful candidate.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates are asked to apply through the FGP website posting at Application Link - VP Advancement & External Relations . Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis by the FGP team until the position is filled. Any questions can be directed to Christin Mack with Find Great People, LLC at cmack@fgp.com.