Vice President for University Advancement

Job Summary: The Vice President for University Advancement is the Chief Advancement Officer, responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive strategy that enhances constituent engagement and drives fundraising outcomes. This includes overseeing all fundraising, donor relations, and alumni engagement to support the university's Christian mission and long-term goals. The Vice President reports to the President and is a member of the Administrative Cabinet. RESPONSIBILITIES Lead the development and execution of strategies that align with the university's mission, vision, and priorities, working in close collaboration with the President, Administrative Cabinet, and key stakeholders. Manage a high-impact portfolio of major and planned giving prospects, cultivating relationships with high-net-worth individuals to secure transformative gifts. Increase fundraising through comprehensive campaigns, major gifts, capital support, annual giving, special events, planned giving, grants, corporate support, and alumni giving. Formulate and implement comprehensive and best-in-class alumni and parent engagement programs, incorporating personalized donor journeys and demonstrating donor impact. Act as a strong advocate for the university within the San Diego community, fostering strong relationships with local leaders, organizations, and corporations to enhance the university's community presence and partnerships. Collaborate with the President, senior leadership team (academic and administrative units), and trustees to foster a culture of philanthropy and alumni engagement across the university, ensuring seamless cooperation with deans, faculty, coaches, and other key partners in all fundraising and outreach initiatives and opportunities. Create strategic partnerships across university departments to identify funding needs that align with potential donors, encouraging shared ownership of fundraising initiatives. Provide workshops and resources for staff and faculty on the importance of philanthropy and their role in advancement efforts. Serve as a member of the PLNU Foundation Board. Collaborate with the Foundation President, CFO and Foundation Board to advance the work of the PLNU Foundation. Direct the development and management of annual plans and budgets across all advancement functions, including alumni and parent relations, annual fund, major and planned giving, comprehensive campaigns, grant development, stewardship, and advancement services. Supervise, lead, and develop staff to support department and university goals, and provide expertise in training and development of other employees with fundraising responsibilities on campus. Leverage technology and data analytics to enhance advancement strategies, donor segmentation, and engagement tracking. Manage reporting and tracking of key performance measures and metrics against advancement fundraising goals and measure advancement staff performance. Establish accountability, stewardship systems, and reports within the University Advancement operations to ensure proper reporting to the donor and University constituents. Ensure excellent maintenance of pertinent information for alumni, friends and donors including address updates, data maintenance, gift acknowledgements and transmittals. Document development activities and prepare and disseminate timely reports of all activities using university advancement software. Participate as a member of the Administrative Cabinet to effectively promote and achieve the university’s priorities and Christian mission. Serve as the staff liaison for University Advancement to the Board of Trustees and the External Engagement Committee. Be active and involved in the advancement profession and seek best practices for PLNU. Other duties as assigned by the President. Minimum QUALIFICATIONS Demonstrated Christian practice, service, and personal commitment expressed through corporate worship, individual practice, and lifestyle. Extensive senior-level experience in advancement, with a strong track record in higher education or nonprofit fundraising. Practice expert communication (oral and written contexts), interpersonal, and networking skills with an approachable personality. Post-baccalaureate degree preferred; equivalent experience in a senior advancement role will be considered. Demonstrate emotional intelligence and ability to communicate in a manner that shows sensitivity and mindfulness. Knowledge of best practices in advancement and the ability to adapt and apply innovative approaches to the university’s development and institutional goals through fundraising practices and systems. Demonstrated experience in leading complex organizational operations and effectively building and deploying teams. Knowledge of the legal requirements and best practices of fundraising. Knowledge of investments, endowments, and foundations in the promotion of the long-term financial support of the university. Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, develop, and strengthen staff in fulfilling their responsibilities. Proven ability to communicate and exemplify the university’s educational and Christian mission in all interactions with donors, colleagues, and community stakeholders. Ability to travel frequently for the position and be available to attend special events on weekends and evenings as needed. Preferred QUALIFICATIONS Proven success in comprehensive and capital fundraising campaigns. Experience collaborating with Marketing to enhance all aspects of Advancement efforts. Experience with alumni/parent relations. Experience in community involvement and institutional representation on community boards and organizations. Demonstrated experience in leading complex organizational operations and effectively building and deploying teams. Experience in managing a complex budget and effectively managing financial resources. Experience working with university leadership to develop and/or manage a grants office supporting academic and institutional funding initiatives. Knowledge of donor databases and Customer Relationship Management systems.

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