Associate Vice President for Advancement & Executive Director, The Ferris Foundation

Associate Vice President for Advancement & Executive Director, The Ferris Foundation

Big Rapids (Main Campus)

70000 - Univer Advance and Mktg VP Office

$146,000 - $156,000. Salary commensurate with education, experiences and other requirements.

Comprehensive benefit package (health care, vacation, etc.).

Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans

Exempt

Continuing

Full-Time

N/A

12 Month

At Will

The Associate Vice President (AVP) for Advancement is a key member of the University Advancement leadership team and an active participant in making strategic decisions affecting fundraising for Ferris State University and the Ferris Foundation. The AVP for Advancement ensures administrative oversight of the University’s major gifts, planned giving, corporate, and foundation fundraising efforts.

Working in close collaboration with and reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement, the incumbent fosters a collaborative team culture and establishes metrics for success. Leading by example, the AVP will effectively cultivate and successfully solicit a select portfolio of prospects and donors capable of making transformational contributions to the institution.

The AVP will serve as the lead principal gifts officer for the university, working to cultivate, solicit, close, and steward prospective donors with the capacity to make commitments of $500,000 and above. This pivotal role will drive gifts for general university purposes as well as those designated for specific colleges, campaign priorities, or other parts of Ferris State University, and will be essential to catalyzing lead donor support in the readiness and pre-launch phases of university campaigns.

Staff

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.

Minimum of ten years of experience with at least seven to ten years serving at the director level or above; a background of progressively increased responsibility in a comprehensive and sophisticated fundraising program, including supervisory experience.

• Office Environment
• Moving
• Reaching
• Sitting
• Twisting
• Driving
• Repetitive movement

An advanced degree.

Experience with metrics-driven major-gift fundraising programs and capital or comprehensive campaigns in a college or university environment.

Substantial experience as a front-line fundraiser including personal success in closing six and seven-figure gifts.

Experience in recruiting, training, leading, and evaluating staff engaged in major-gift fundraising.

Experience working with foundation management, reporting requirements, and governing board processes.

Track record of success with blended outright and planned gifts.

Strategy and Leadership: In collaboration with the Vice President for University Advancement (VPUA) and senior leaders within the division, develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy for the university that reflects ambitious year-over-year growth.

Donor Solicitations: Lead complex and high-level donor solicitations, working closely with the VPUA and university leadership to align donor interests with the university’s mission and strategic plan.

Presidential Engagement: Drive presidential engagement with donors and prospective donors, leading regular donor strategy and outreach planning meetings with the President and University Advancement leadership.

Campaign Management: Partner with the Vice President for University Advancement & Marketing to translate campaign strategy into actionable fundraising plans, determine viable plans, identify appropriate donors, and work across teams to implement solicitation strategies for each major donor.

Campus Collaboration: Serve as the division’s liaison to Facilities Management to monitor and steward the development of capital projects with philanthropic funding. Meet with college deans and other faculty to ensure appropriate levels of fundraising support and coordination. Facilitate annual and quarterly fundraising strategy reviews with deans and development officers to assess progress and make modifications to ensure annual dollar targets are met. Assume primary leadership in developing or reviewing fundraising plans of any campus college, school, or hub.

Team Leadership & Management: Provide coaching to Major Gifts, Corporate and Foundations Relations, and Planned Giving teams and supervise advancement and stewardship team leaders. Directly supervise additional staff as needed. Manage recruitment, development, evaluation, retention, professional development, and team building of all development staff within the AVP’s purview.

Metrics and Compliance: Set and manage fundraiser performance metrics and goals in alignment with division-wide fundraising strategy and targets. Ensure all fundraisers observe University fundraising policies, standards, and procedures.

Administration: Manage annual budget preparation and forecasting for the unit. Review written prospect strategies, proposals, informational materials, gift illustrations, and other materials for all major gift prospects. Read, review, and approve all memoranda of understanding for gift agreements with donors.

Operates university motor or personal vehicles safely while carrying out job responsibilities.

Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.

Cultivate an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.

Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.

Serve on University committees as appropriate.

Demonstrated ability to lead and manage teams with multiple sets of expectations and competing priorities.

Proven skills in managing long-range strategic fundraising and day-to-day operations creatively and effectively.

Excellent negotiation skills and political savvy to navigate a complex academic environment.

Strong communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to create compelling cases for support and adapt to changing priorities.

A creative problem-solver with strong critical thinking and analytical skills, who can interpret data and draw valid conclusions.

The credibility and sound judgment to engage, inspire, motivate, and persuade staff, faculty, university administrators, donors, and volunteers.

Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Unofficial Transcript 1

PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY: Applications should include a letter of interest and curriculum vitae. All applicants must also complete a full application on the Ferris website at Associate Vice President for Advancement & Executive Director, The Ferris Foundation. Applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is filled. Confidential review of materials and screening of candidates will begin immediately. Harris Search Associates is assisting Ferris State University for this search. Please contact Eric Christ, Senior Consultant (eric@HarrisSearch.com, cell: 614-800-9974) for further details. Phone: 614-798-8500.

Initial Application Review Date:

January 12, 2026

Yes

Posting Close Date:

Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement.