Purpose of Position

Daemen University invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice President for Institutional Advancement. The University seeks an experienced advancement professional, preferably in higher education, who will lead all advancement activities, especially fundraising efforts, and including management of a major comprehensive campaign, the annual fund, corporate and foundation fundraising opportunities, major gifts and estate planning, and alumni relations.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Vice President for Institutional Advancement will work closely with the President to modernize the policies, procedures, and practices of the division, and:

  • Assume responsibility for the day-to-day management of the alumni relations, development, and fundraising staff, working with them to design, implement, and direct an integrated and comprehensive development program, with special emphasis on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, engaging, and stewarding support to provide long-term financial sustainability.
  • Help further develop and orchestrate the implementation of the division's strategic plan to advance institutional advancement efforts.
  • Work closely with the direct supervisor, the president's office, the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the deans and academic/administrative department heads, and the Athletics Director to explore and execute projects and programs as needed.
  • Oversee the execution of high-level institutional special events that advance the awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the mission, values, accomplishments, and goals of the college.
  • Assess, build, manage, and lead a high-performing team of development professionals.
  • Nurture and provide counsel on matters relating to advancement and fundraising strategy.
  • Evaluate staff members, mentor, and coach, develop a strong sense of teamwork, and establish an environment of collaboration, nimbleness, problem-solving, creative thinking, and alumni and donor-centered activity.
  • Work with leadership to review existing recognition and associated events to maximize impact and effectiveness.
  • Oversee and/or assist with all institutional development-related events, including, but not limited to: scholarship receptions, donor recognition, ribbon cutting ceremonies, and other events as assigned by the President.
  • Assist the President and Chief of Staff with events at Daemen House.
  • Work closely with Advancement Services, and regularly review management tools to ensure regular and timely stewardship.
  • Evaluate the quality and impact of the donor relations/stewardship program.
  • Collaborate with other departments to create strategies for developing donor relations/stewardship standards across campus for the purpose of creating an energetic and enthusiastic culture of philanthropy.
  • Identify and cultivate a stewardship portfolio of individuals/donors who need to be kept top of mind for all stewardship opportunities.
  • Proactively support gift officers in the design and execution of annual and multi-year stewardship plans (calendar of opportunities) for donors and top prospects.
  • Develop a process to document and track stewardship action for individual alumni and friends.
  • Serve as a creative resource in identifying and developing new opportunities for community relations, and stewardship/donor relations activities.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree strongly preferred;
  • At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience and demonstrated success in one or more of the key areas of institutional advancement (annual giving, alumni relations, leadership giving, strategic data management, marketing, and communication), preferably in a college or university setting;
  • Ability to develop, cultivate, and maintain purposeful relationships,
  • Proven organizational and interpersonal skills; professional skills commensurate with handling cash and donor gifts.

Benefits/Status

This is a full-time, salary, exempt, 12 month. Position is administration/salary and includes full University benefits and professional development opportunities. Driving, travel, weekend and evening hours may be required.

Benefits are available the first of the month following the full-time employee's date of hire and include health, dental, vision insurance, and fully paid life insurance. In addition, we offer fully paid long term disability insurance after 3 months of employment. Eligibility for the 403b retirement plan is available to full-time employees upon hire and an 8% employer match after one year of service. Tuition waiver benefits are also available for full-time employees and their qualified dependents.

Standard Background Check Required.

General Physical Requirements

Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects; desk job with majority of sedentary work sitting roughly 50% or greater of the workday.

Working Conditions

Climate controlled office setting, but some activities/ duties can occur both inside and outside the office setting.

Post-Hire Trainings

Various trainings assigned upon hire and annually thereafter by the Office of Employee Engagement.

For consideration please submit resume, letter of interest, and contact information for three professional references in the attachments section of your application at http://daemen.applicantpro.com. Incomplete packages will not be considered.

Daemen University is an AA/EOE and strongly encourages applications from women, veterans, people of color, individuals with disabilities and candidates who will contribute to and support the cultural fluency and diversity of our campus. Apply directly at https://daemen.applicantpro.com/jobs/

Daemen University strongly encourages all campus community members to get vaccinated for COVID-19, including a booster vaccine. Individuals who are boosted will face fewer restrictions and be better protected from serious illness. At this time, COVID-19 Vaccination is no longer mandatory. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is an evolving global risk that may require adaptation of policies as necessary depending on public health information and data trends. Daemen University reserves the right to reinstate mandatory vaccination and require unvaccinated community members to receive a vaccine to maintain active employment, with the option of engaging a potential medical or religious accommodation exemption process. All employees, regardless of full time, part time, per diem, or temporary status, are strongly encouraged to receive a completed course of one of the FDA approved COVID-19 vaccinations (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson).