Associate Vice President for Advancement

The Associate Vice President for Advancement is responsible for strengthening EMU's fiscal health through strategic relationships with major donors to increase philanthropic revenue through current and estate giving. The AVP also leads the university’s engagement with corporations and private foundations to increase revenues from these sources.  The AVP leads planning and implementation for annual giving among alumni, parents and friends, and ensures effective strategies are in place for identifying and engaging new donors through these constituencies. The AVP will work collaboratively with the president, vice president for advancement, and other advancement colleagues to achieve fundraising goals for EMU.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Principal, Major, and Planned Gifts

• Manage a portfolio of 100-150 individual donors for securing principal gifts ($250,000+) and major gifts of $25,000 or more for the University Fund, capital campaigns, endowments and special projects of the university.  

• Develop an annual plan of action for each major gift donor and prospect in the assigned portfolio that includes a timetable with specific dates for cultivation, involvement and solicitation actions, and appropriate gift acknowledgment and stewardship.

• Develop appropriate recognition and stewardship activities for major donors in assigned portfolio, as well as assisting with others as needed, including attendance at events.

• Collaborate with other advancement colleagues to stay abreast of changes in tax law and opportunities for enabling donors to include EMU in their estate plans through effective planned giving techniques and legacy planning. 

Corporate Giving

• In collaboration with colleagues in advancement (including career services) and academic programs increase net revenue from businesses and corporations in the greater Harrisonburg community through the development of strategic partnerships with alumni and other community leaders. Expand EMU’s presence and goodwill in the regional business community through active engagement in local professional networks (e.g., Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce).

• Increase revenue among local businesses and corporations for sponsorships and underwriting assistance for approved university events through a comprehensive corporate sponsorship program in association with the Business & Professional Club.

• Explore major gift opportunities with corporate partners related to capital projects and comprehensive campaign initiatives.

Foundation Giving

• Manage a portfolio of 10-15 private foundations for securing grants of $25,000 or more for general support and special projects of the university.  

• Develop an annual plan of action for each foundation that includes a timetable with specific dates for cultivation, involvement and solicitation actions, and appropriate gift acknowledgment and stewardship.

• Collaborate with academic programs to secure new foundation partners and to sustain funding support through effective stewardship and communications. 

 Annual Giving

• Provide strategic leadership for the annual giving program for the University including:

  • Guide the Annual Giving and Donor Communications Specialist in setting goals and action plans for University Fund, LovEMU Giving Day, Business and Professional Club, EMU Crowdfunding, Athletics Annual Fund (in collaboration with Director of Athletics) and other annual giving programs

  • Guide the Annual Giving and Donor Communications Specialist in developing fund appeals – both electronic and written – targeted to various donor ad alumni segments to achieve maximum response rates and financial returns

  • Set goals and action plans for renewing LYBUNTS and lapsed donors

  • Set goals and action plans for engaging faculty and staff support

• Develop unique and effective strategies for sustaining and increasing annual gifts of $1,000 or more.

• Manage requests from faculty, staff and students that require fundraising coordination for projects that are not part of the core-operating budget of the university.

• Maintain relationships with allied professionals in annual giving field to stay abreast of best practices that enhance EMU’s annual giving program. 

• Operates activities within budget and guidelines with responsibility for budget preparation and spending of approved funds in keeping with university policies.

Alumni & Parent Engagement

• Support the Director of Alumni Engagement and Community Connections’ work to effectively engage alumni to advocate for and financially support EMU by:

  • developing a robust alumni ambassador program to deepen alumni engagement in supporting the university through advocacy, student recruitment and philanthropic support;

  • developing a local base of alumni and friends as volunteers to assist staff at key events, such as Homecoming;

  • developing strategy for identifying and engaging parents of current students who demonstrate potential for significant philanthropic investment in EMU’s annual and capital fundraising campaigns;

  • support reunion giving efforts and other initiatives that enhance the alumni participation rate. 

• Support the Director of Alumni Engagement and Community Connections’ work to develop a diversified plan for communication with alumni that uses a range of technology and leverages EMU affinity interests via multiple channels, including print, digital, and social media.

• Support the Director of Alumni Engagement and Community Connections’ work with the Director of Career Services to connect EMU alumni to the university in support of students and their career interests.

• Serve as a liaison with alumni volunteer leadership to communicate the university’s advancement strategies including annual and major giving, as well as campaign planning and execution.

• Collaborate with advancement colleagues to create and staff special events that enhance alumni and donor engagement and support.

Other Duties

• At the request of VP for Advancement, assist with work pertaining to the comprehensive campaign, Board of Trustees, and other significant stakeholders. 

• Participate in all fundraising priorities of the University and represent the interests of the Advancement Division as requested by the VP for Advancement. 

• Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• Passion for EMU’s mission and programs. Knowledge and appreciation for the Mennonite/Anabaptist tradition is helpful.

• High standards of character, integrity, trustworthiness, and customer service.
   

• Strategic, critical, and creative thinker with a results-oriented mindset.
   

• Strong problem-solving, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills
   

• Effective team player with leadership ability and understanding of team dynamics.

• Knowledge of development data systems. 

• Excellent verbal, written, and public speaking skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills to engage diverse stakeholders.

• Maintains composure and professionalism in complex or challenging situations.

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities.

• Self-motivated, energetic, curious, and able to work independently.

• Ability to build relationships that balance the multiple, varying, and sometimes conflicting interests of diverse stakeholders.

• Ability to take initiative, set goals, prioritize and organize job tasks and workload in order to meet deadlines, ability to complete work in a timely manner and communicate progress routinely.

• Ability to use a PC and software, such as Microsoft Office and Google Suite.

• Able to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred. Minimum of 10 years of demonstrated fundraising success in major gifts and planned giving in higher education and/or non-profit sector; proven success in leading capital campaigns and in corporate and foundation relations. Demonstrated effectiveness in  leadership/supervisory/strategic visioning.