Senior Associate Vice President for Philanthropy & Campaign Co-Director

Position Summary

Under the general leadership of the University at Buffalo’s Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, the Senior Associate Vice President for Philanthropy and Campaign Co-Director (Sr. AVP) is responsible for implementing a philanthropy program that successfully meets university and school/unit goals and contributes to the overall growth of private philanthropy.  This position is an exciting and challenging opportunity for a highly motivated, energetic fundraising professional who is eager to help assess and drive the evolution of the fundraising programs at the University at Buffalo. 

The Sr. AVP, the second most senior member of the philanthropy and alumni engagement team, is part of the Vice President’s leadership team, and is responsible for working closely with the central fundraising staff, schools, deans, faculties, and other university units in articulating and implementing plans, goals, and activities related to fund-development and the university’s comprehensive campaign. The Sr. AVP also is responsible for establishing standard performance and promotion standards for gift officers, developing a culture of goal achievement and accountability, and leading the annual goal-setting process. A fundraiser, the Sr. AVP also will have responsibility for cultivating, soliciting and stewarding a group of select prospects.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategic Planning (60%):

• The Sr. AVP will be the lead on policies and procedures regarding philanthropy including: comprehensive goal setting, prospect management, performance metrics and evaluation; 
• Participate as a full member of the leadership team contributing to overall planning and providing fundraising and campaign counsel to senior leadership across the university and within the schools/units; respond to the specific requests of the Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement;
• Serve as the Campaign Co-Director in concert with the Associate Vice President for Operations. Primary focus of campaign efforts is around best practice philanthropy efforts;
• Assist in building a greater awareness of the importance of private philanthropy among campus constituencies and external partners;
• Assist the Vice President in building a foundation for substantive and enduring growth in private philanthropy;
• Manage fundraising professionals in concert with the Vice President and academic/unit leadership, provide the essential leadership, mentorship, coaching and guidance to both school and unit-based gift officers (College of Arts and Sciences; School of Management, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, School of Law, Graduate School of Education, School of Architecture and Planning, Libraries, and Athletics) as well as the centrally organized fundraising programs of planned giving and corporate and foundation relations, to maximize productivity: establish standard performance and promotion standards, develop a culture of goal achievement and accountability, and lead the annual goal-setting process;
• With dotted line reporting – work in close partnership with the Associate Vice President for Health Sciences Philanthropy and the Associate Vice President for Principal Gifts, to ensure consistent implementation, management and evaluation of gift officer performance and promotion standards;
• In concert with the Associate Vice President for Operations, set evaluation criteria and compensation programs, provide adequate professional development opportunities ranging from training to ongoing mentorship and coaching, and collaborate on recruitment of staff; additionally, ensure that Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement central operations are working strategically to advance the university’s fundraising efforts;
• Work closely with deans, faculties and other university units to establish fundraising priorities and focus areas;

Fundraising (35%):

• Develop and maintain a select group of principal and major gift prospects to cultivate, solicit and steward on behalf of the University at Buffalo and the schools/units;

Other (5%):

• Assume additional responsibilities and duties as assigned by the Vice President.

Education

A bachelor’s degree is required with an advanced degree preferred.

Professional

• A minimum of 7-10 years working in a professional fundraising capacity, including program planning, staff management, and personal solicitation with a history of success, goal-achievement and increased responsibilities; 
• Ability to successfully operate and conduct fundraising activities in a complex environment;
• Familiarity with the environment of higher education;
• Demonstrated ability to relate effectively with internal partners and external volunteers, donors and prospects;
• Demonstrated ability to manage, lead and inspire others; ability to facilitate collaboration; 
• A commitment to development and philanthropy as change agents for the fulfillment of institutional mission and vision;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, analytical and planning skills, a high degree of professionalism and a sensitivity to long-term relationship building and stewardship;
• Experience with planning, launching and executing campaigns in support of specific initiatives or overall strategic objectives.

University at Buffalo is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities. The University is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic University community committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment.

Salary: Commensurate with experience. UB offers highly competitive salary and benefit packages for its philanthropy staff. 

For more job information and directions on how to apply, please visit our website at:

https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu. Only applications received through UB Jobs will be considered.

Posting # P1800022

Quick link to apply: http://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/postings/12957