Annual Giving Network LLC
Associate Vice President, Primary Giving
Annual Giving Network LLC, Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23214
The Associate Vice President of Primary Giving is an inaugural role that offers a significant opportunity for an ambitious fundraising professional to create a comprehensive pipeline development program as VCU prepares for the launch of its most ambitious philanthropic campaign. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations, the AVP will lead four experienced teams (total 26 staff) dedicated to healthcare and university fundraising for donors under $50,000. By leveraging staff expertise with institutional trends and practice, the AVP will be accountable for philanthropic impact and growth at the primary giving level (donors giving less than $50,000).
The AVP will be critical in planning future universitywide and grateful patient campaigns, identifying new donor pipelines and building a positive team environment. As a visionary and strategic leader, the AVP will collaborate with departments and stakeholders to align primary giving initiatives with college, school and unit needs. The AVP will be accountable for building data-driven strategies that engage, solicit and retain donors. This position requires strong analytical, communication and relationship-building skills to foster productive partnerships and drive fundraising outcomes.
Responsibilities of the role include:
Strategy and Administration
Guide and partner on the strategy and execution of all primary giving programs, shaping distinct, customized methods of solicitation for VCU and VCU Health constituencies, including alumni, grateful patients, employees, retirees, students, families and friends
Lead and motivate teams of fundraising professionals, intentionally developing career pathways, maximizing strengths and identifying opportunities
Leverage traditional solicitation methods with powerful digital initiatives that optimize emerging technologies
Set programmatic performance targets in order to measure, evaluate and adapt tactics and investment. Targets include goals such as alumni participation, faculty/staff participation and grateful patient giving.
Develop and execute a plan to integrate annual giving, leadership annual giving and affinity giving to ensure a consistent donor experience
Collaborate with development communications teams on creative concepts and briefs, copywriting and design for all primary giving efforts
Collaborate with information systems, prospect development and business analytics teams to organize information to create reports that inform primary giving strategies, enhance data integrity and maximize use of the university’s constituent relationship management system
Philanthropic culture and investment
Develop and sustain in-depth knowledge of VCU’s education and healthcare funding priorities
Build strong relationships with DAR leaders responsible for marketing, communications, signature events, alumni and constituent relations, information systems, philanthropic services, prospect development, and business analytics
Partner with senior fundraisers across DAR, including college, school and unit teams, to ensure all strategies and goals are communicated, aligned and optimized
Present performance reports to VCU and VCU Health partners on a regular basis
Leverage crowdfunding and peer-to-peer engagement opportunities, including Giving Day, to build cohorts of advocates
Serve on university, health system and DAR committees related to philanthropy
Business planning
Serve on the Development and Alumni Relations leadership team
Participate in annual planning activities to optimize VCU and VCU Health investment
Develop, administer and monitor annual operating budgets
Coordinate, support and drive operational efficiency in primary giving
Anticipate and protect DAR from creating risk to the university and health system enterprise, especially reputational and data protection risks
Engage stakeholders in institutionally-related foundations, colleges, schools, and units to understand shared goals and vision
Identify and address best practices in change management
Ensure documentation of project management and business processes
As a team member, you will:
Create productive relationships across DAR, university and health system partners, and VCU’s institutionally related foundations
Seek constant improvement in strategy and business process
Work in a complex, performance-based professional environment
Establish relationships with peer institutions, including research universities, academic medical centers and cancer centers, to add to DAR’s collective understanding of primary giving systems and strategies
Align with DAR’s core purpose and values
Practice appreciative leadership and an outward mindset across teams of diverse talents and backgrounds
Qualifications
Required qualifications/skills
This position oversees multiple types of fundraising programs, and the candidate is expected to provide vision, leadership and strategic ideation. Therefore, the position requires the following minimum hiring standards:
Senior leadership experience in annual giving and frontline fundraising, particularly in an institution of higher education and/or healthcare
A minimum of 10 years of experience in a fast-paced, highly complex fundraising environment
An undergraduate degree from an accredited university or equivalent education and experience
Sound professional judgment, including proven ability to solve problems, prioritize tasks, respond to questions and make decisions while also functioning as a leader in a shared governance organization
Success in developing and advocating for staff of varying expertise and accountability
Enthusiasm for new opportunities in the fundraising discipline of donor pipeline development, affinity giving and primary giving
Experience in project management and business process development
Strong proficiency with data analytics and technology tools
Strong executive communications skills, including an ability to articulate plans and present results
Professional demeanor required to engage and leverage senior leadership, volunteer leadership and other fundraising stakeholders
Experience with MS Office Suite software including MS Word and Excel
Experience with G-Suite including google docs, drive, sheets, and slides
Proven track record of effective change management
Commitment to the mission and strategic goals of VCU and VCU Health
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so at VCU
Preferred qualifications
A graduate degree in higher education, public administration, marketing or related field or work experience at a level that equates to an advanced degree
Experience implementing innovative technical solutions, such as AI and digital fundraising
Experience with affinity and peer-to-peer giving strategies
Knowledge and experience in both alumni and grateful patient fundraising
A cover letter and diversity statement are required for consideration.
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation or disability.
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