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Miami University · 1 day ago

Vice President for University Advancement

Oxford, OH

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$450K/yr - $450K/yr

10+ years exp

Miami University is seeking a strategic and innovative Vice President for University Advancement to lead its fundraising and alumni relations efforts. The role involves strengthening the university's advancement programs and enhancing its philanthropic capacity while partnering with various stakeholders to advance the institution's mission.

Higher Education

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive, forward-looking advancement strategy aligned with Miami’s mission and new strategic plan

Collaborate with senior members of the development staff to surpass its $1 billion goal and sustain $100 million production on an annual basis

Apply data-driven techniques to assess the fundraising potential of the University and craft a sophisticated multi-year fundraising strategy which will result in sustainable long-term growth in unrestricted, restricted and endowment funds, including future campaign activities

Foster an environment that rewards new ideas and risk-taking, builds confidence, and encourages teamwork; celebrate current achievements and set clear expectations for future success

Strengthen existing donor relationships and systematically identify, cultivate, solicit and steward new individual and institutional donors capable of making significant contributions to Miami. Educate potential and existing donors about the University’s mission and the unique role it plays in Ohio and in higher education generally. Develop specific strategies and tailored cases for support

Identify new ways to broaden the reach of alumni relations activities to the University’s alumni and more fully integrate these activities into the overall advancement efforts. Find opportunities to increase or improve already impressive alumni participation rates in philanthropy, giving levels, and volunteerism

Partner with the President, Provost, Cabinet, Deans, senior staff, faculty, alumni leadership and other key volunteers, utilizing their time and talents to increasingly engage, cultivate and solicit major donors and prospects

Guide and support the President in his role as chief spokesperson and fundraiser, serving as an adviser and co-strategist on cultivating and soliciting transformative gifts. Similarly guide and support members of the President’s Executive Cabinet, Deans, senior staff and other campus leaders in campaign, development and alumni relations activities

Strategically position the President, Provost, Cabinet, Deans, senior administrators, faculty, and key volunteers for maximum impact in development and alumni engagement efforts. Ensure they are effectively supported with professional staff, strategic guidance, and actionable priorities that make their involvement purposeful, high-impact, and personally rewarding—advancing institutional goals through coordinated, relationship-driven engagement

Facilitate alignment and consensus among the President, Provost, Cabinet, and Deans with regard to development priorities as they relate to advancing the University’s overall objectives

Partner with the Provost, Deans, and faculty to align academic priorities with philanthropic opportunity, strategically identifying programs and initiatives with the greatest potential for investment. Cultivate a culture of collaboration and shared purpose by engaging academic leaders in donor strategy, positioning them as compelling advocates for their work, and strengthening institutional capacity for competitive grantsmanship and external funding

Cultivate strong working relationships with administrators, faculty and staff across the University. Ensure that Development and Alumni Relations are seen as a collaborative, responsive partner able to professionally address both opportunities and concerns

Lead the University’s development and alumni relations functions, promoting a service and achievement-oriented environment that is built on a foundation of operational excellence

Manage and mentor a staff of over 140 advancement professionals and administrative support personnel; serve as their advocate in the larger University community

Strengthen the relationships between the development and alumni relations staff and their partners in the University community. Build an office that understands and respects Miami’s culture and priorities while encouraging a corresponding appreciation of philanthropy and donor relations

Continually strive to improve and extend relationships with all constituencies in ways that have a quantifiable impact on philanthropic revenue

Qualification

Fundraising experienceStrategic planningData analyticsAlumni engagementLeadership skillsEmpathyCommunication skillsCollaborationIntegrityCreativity

Required

At least ten years of progressively responsible fundraising and managerial experience in advancement, preferably in higher education, with experience in a campaign environment

Possess an acute understanding of the current higher education landscape

Bachelor's degree with an advanced degree or study preferred

Ability to travel throughout the United States and abroad

Preferred

Unquestionable integrity, sound judgment, and the ability to model empathy, transparency, and accountability

Credibility and trustworthiness, with a capacity to set high standards and empower others

The desire to play a meaningful role in the life of Miami University and its extended community and to share in the University's commitment to undergraduate liberal arts and graduate education and instruction, high academic standards, and scholarly achievement

Demonstrated ability and experience building upon an existing development program, including individual and institutional philanthropy, in such a way that the increased philanthropic revenue becomes transformative for an organization. Success in increasing the effectiveness of a development program and staff through established objectives and performance standards

Fundraising and managerial experience in advancement in a campaign environment

Demonstrated ability to enhance fundraising performance through data analytics, strategic goal setting, and measurable outcomes

Personal success in cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major individual and institutional donors at seven-, eight- and nine- figure levels. The ability to inspire high net worth individuals and major foundations to financial leadership

Strong understanding of alumni engagement strategies

Demonstrated ability to enhance fundraising performance through data analytics, strategic goal setting, and measurable outcomes

Superior strategic skills and a holistic understanding of all aspects of fundraising, alumni relations, stewardship, volunteer leadership and donor relations

The intellectual depth, maturity and confidence required to effectively engage and garner the trust of the President, Cabinet, Deans, senior staff and key volunteers in the cultivation and solicitation of key prospects

A track record of success leading a large development operation; an approach to management that brings out the best in staff and yields pride, ownership, and a sense of team effort. A keen eye for data analysis, operational efficiency and optimal use of resources; the ability to plan, monitor, and tightly manage a budget

Experience working with and supporting a board and board committees

Superlative interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work well with people at all levels of an organization, across a diverse range of education and social backgrounds, and to demonstrate an honest respect for each individual

An appreciation for and ability to articulate eloquently the academic and civic missions of Miami University, including its history and importance in the state and national academic landscape

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

The intellectual depth and data skills necessary to understand and translate academic, technical, and other information for a variety of audiences, crisply and concisely

Honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, and perspective; a very strong work ethic, supported by commitment and follow-through

The confidence and knowledge required to advance and defend ideas and programs in an environment that respects conviction but demands analytical rigor; a love of intellectual exchange and lively dialogue

A level of comfort working with ambiguity, a humble approach, and an outgoing and positive personality

Understanding of foundation operations and finance

Company

Miami University

Glassdoor4.1

Strong academics, highly personal instruction, energetic campus life, successful graduates — Miami University sets the standard for public higher education on one of America’s most beautiful campuses.

Founded in 1809

Oxford, Ohio, USA

1001-5000 employees