Assistant Vice President, Advancement

ABOUT UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT

Georgia State University Advancement works to further Georgia State's status as a national leader in student success, research and innovation, and cultural impact. By connecting with alumni, engaging donors, and increasing philanthropic support for students and scholars, we're helping to transform lives and build our global community. The University Advancement Division furthers the university and its mission through several departments, including Development, Corporate & Foundation Relations, Alumni Relations, and the Georgia State University Foundation.

These are exciting times at the University Advancement. We are growing, and we are thrilled that you are interested in being a part of our team. We are surrounded by individuals empowered to use their expertise and talents to achieve our mission to identify, cultivate, and steward donors.

Are you ready for us? Are you seeking an opportunity with purpose and direction? If you are, we have the perfect opportunity for you! We hire great people from a wide variety of educational, career, and personal backgrounds, not just because it is the right thing to do but because it makes us a stronger team.

University Advancement is seeking (1) Assistant Vice President, Advancement to join the already incredible team taking Georgia State University to the next level of excellence!

WHAT MAKES UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT A GREAT PLACE?

• Generous benefits, including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, etc.

• A knowledge-sharing organization that works collaboratively with cross-campus and external partners

• Professional development opportunity and mentorship

• A rapidly growing center within an academic setting

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Job Summary:

Under the leadership of the Vice President for University Advancement, the Assistant Vice President will work with the VP and other AVPs to create, implement, and maintain a broader advancement strategy that includes but is not limited to building a pipeline that will sustain the university short and long-term goals, working with deans to prioritize their needs and bring forth fundable priorities, and work with other AVPs to package priorities for higher level giving opportunities. AVPs will oversee a team of development officers at varying levels and will be responsible for a team fundraising goal as well as an individual fundraising goal.

AVP will have a niche portfolio of prospects with a capacity of $500k or more. AVP is responsible for having comprehensive understanding of university priorities meeting with prospects and donors (with a focus on face-to-face visits), regularly meeting with advancement colleagues and academic leaders, preparing briefing materials and gift proposals, attending events and staffing and/or supervising projects as assigned.

Successful candidates will approach their role with a sense of donor-centeredness, collaboration and transparency. They will have strong communication skills and be willing to serve as role models to other professional and support staff. High integrity, strong self-motivation, innovation, flexibility and passion are all valued qualities on the University Advancement team. Additionally, successful candidates will have a proven ability to build long-term relationships while also consistently meeting fundraising goals. Individuals will also be required to work nights and weekends, when necessary, travel (via plane, train, or car) at least 15% of the time within and outside of the state of Georgia. As our program is complex and in a phase of rapid innovation, the ability to adapt to quickly changing environments is key.

Job Duties:

1. Leadership & Strategy (40%)

• Lead, manage, coach and mentor a team of development professionals, setting performance goals and fostering professional growth.

• Provide appropriate feedback in a timely manner to individuals within the reporting structure.

• Lead and execute fundraising strategies, including major gifts, corporate & foundation giving, and planned giving for the cohort. These activities require close collaboration with various offices.

• In concert with the VP, oversee the execution of comprehensive & capital campaigns, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and donor interests.

• Collaborate with the VP, deans, and other university leadership to establish annual and long-term fundraising goals.

• Provide strategic direction for advancement operations, ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation.

• Develop data-driven fundraising strategies using metrics and analytics to optimize donor engagement and retention.

2. Fundraising and Prospect Management (35%)

• Manage a portfolio of 60-80 prospects, high net worth prospects that include the most influential, complex or highest capacity-rated donors. Ensure regular contact with donors through various activities and communications, especially face-to-face visits.

• Qualify major gift prospects and solicit gifts directly by conducting 5-7 face-to-face visits per month, consistently raising a minimum cohort goal of $5M. Identify new major gift prospects: develop and execute cultivation and solicitation plans for gifts primarily $500,000 and above from individuals, corporations and foundations. Ensure that predetermined fundraising goals are met by designing and implementing highly specialized activities for portfolio prospects and donors.

• Independently lead and direct a comprehensive fundraising plan for assigned portfolio and University Advancement fundraising initiatives. Create, write, implement, and/or evaluate individualized marketing plans and/or strategies for cultivation and solicitation of major gifts, gift planning or corporate/foundation prospects that require a high degree of innovation. Collaborate with Advancement departments in developing plans and strategies customized for prospects and donors, as appropriate.

• In consultation with VP and peers, identify, develop, initiate and manage fundraising efforts in support of University Advancement goals for campus cohorts to include current funding priorities, special fundraising initiatives, prospect pipeline, and developing individual and programmatic strategies for moving prospects from identification and qualification to solicitation and closure. Coordinate activities with other development officers and entities, including deans, faculty, staff and administrators. Identify, organize and direct the efforts of philanthropic volunteers.

• Write complex proposals for solicitation of high value individuals, corporate, and / or foundation prospects. Corresponding to prospect's interest, develop persuasive written and oral presentations, gift proposals, concept papers, and/or informal descriptions for gift ideas for presentations to donors, adhering to campus policies and procedures governing gifts. Present formal fundraising proposals to major donors and prospects or prepare senior management for the presentation of proposals. Meet with administration to identify needs and develop specific proposals and solicitation methods.

• May attend functions, meetings and serve on internal / external committees as a lead of assigned cohort, Advancement, or the University. May attend meetings in the stead of the VP. Work nights and weekends, when necessary, travel (via plane, train, or car) at least 15% of the time within and outside of the state of Georgia.

3. Donor Recognition & Stewardship (10%)

• Serve as a resource for assigned cohort, interacting with prospects, donors, staff and outside professionals to provide information, advice and counsel regarding assigned specialized program(s). Work with University Advancement leadership and the Offices of Donor Experience and Engagement to develop, implement and coordinate donor recognition and stewardship opportunities.

• Work with University Advancement leadership and the Offices of Donor Experience and Engagement to develop and present reports to donors on the use of gift funds, with emphasis on longer-term outcomes and leveraging of gift funds.

• Create, establish and evaluate methods for building / maintaining prospect and volunteer constituencies and identify, recruit, and direct the activities of high-level volunteers. Provide leadership to implement successful donor relations and stewardship programs and initiatives to ensure regular contact with donors through various activities and communications. Provide vehicles for continued awareness on the part of donors of current unit needs and objectives in order to encourage continued giving.

4. Leadership & Administration (10%)

• Serve as an expert or lead development professional in cohort area, such as major gifts, gift planning or corporate / foundation relations, that includes donors capable of making very significant contributions to the University. Responsible for ensuring collaboration with Prospect Management & Research, Donor Relations, Gifts & Records, Development IT, and Foundation Accounting to ensure proper records are kept during all phases of fundraising.

• In accordance with division practices and procedures:

  • Maintain accurate records for prospects and donors within Ascend CRM;

  • Report the status of pledges and gifts to the Offices of Gifts & Records and Foundation Accounting.

  • Enter and review contact reports, attend prospect management meetings, and compile meaningful reports of Advancement operations that will adequately inform the various GSU constituents.

  • Connect with donors related to endowed funds and scholarship, including sharing endowment reports, connecting with scholarship students, and other specialized activities.

• Work cooperatively with university and college/unit leadership, development officers, faculty, staff and administrative personnel to coordinate successful advancement efforts. As requested, attend and actively participate in Cohort and Advancement team meetings, team-building activities, committees, work groups, task forces, etc. as part of responsibility to the larger campus community.

5. Other (5%)

• Serve as a thoughtful, collaborative and accountable team member. Commit to ethical standards and adheres to the Donor Bill of Rights. Commit to the highest standards of civility and decency toward all and to promoting and supporting a community where all people can work and learn together in an atmosphere free of abuse.

• These responsibilities are not intended to be all-inclusive. It is understood that the employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties if requested by the supervisor. Responsibilities are reviewed periodically and may be revised if deemed necessary.

Minimum Hiring Standards:

• Bachelor's degree and seven years of experience in higher education development or related field, which includes experience managing teams of four or more and leading fundraising campaigns on behalf of an Academic or Central Unit.

To be fully considered for this position, all candidates must submit the following at the time of submission:

• A complete and accurate GSU application

• Resume

• Cover Letter outlining your experiences as it relates to the purpose and mission of GSU Advancement.

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