Description

Pace University seeks an outstanding philanthropy professional and proficient team leader for a senior role as the Associate Vice President of Development (AVP) empowered to develop and execute multi-year campaign strategies to build a robust pipeline of individual donors and prospects for the University. The position will work across all of the University's schools and programs: Lubin School of Business, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, College of Health Professions, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, and Sand College of Performing Arts. This individual will be responsible for developing charitable giving programs with a focus on major gifts and managing the frontline fundraising strategies to significantly expand financial resources available to the University. The Associate VP will oversee the strategy and execution on the University's priorities for growing contributed revenue including its current $300M comprehensive campaign - now nearing a successful close - focused on scholarships, capital projects, programs and centers, the Haub Law School, and Sands College of Performing Arts. The successful candidate will be expected to play a leading role in completing the campaign and directing post-campaign activities, including final solicitations, close-phase stewardship, donor recognition and transition to long-term stewardship and future campaign planning.

The Associate VP will oversee the strategy and execution on the University's priorities for growing contributed revenue including its current comprehensive campaign focused on scholarships, capital projects, the Haub Law School, and performing arts programs. The Associate VP will also manage a prospect portfolio of 75-100 individuals and will be responsible for personally soliciting major gifts of $100,000 or more. The role will work closely with the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations (VP) to evaluate regional and international fundraising strategies. The role will be responsible for driving departmental fundraising results and formulating/enforcing major gift policies and procedures for the department. The role will partner with the VP and DEVAR's senior leaders to create volunteer engagement strategies to maximize potential support from alumni, parents, and University friends. The Associate VP will serve as a senior member of the Office to Development and Alumni Relations and will collaborate closely with all areas of the office to advance the major gift program. This position reports to the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations.

Position Duties

• Retain, hire, manage, and mentor a team of high-performing major gift officers organized around school teams including Lubin, Dyson, Seidenberg, CHP, Haub Law, and Sands.
• Working closely with the VP to ensure the Pace campaign case resonates with donors and propels increased giving.
• Effectively use qualitative and quantitative data to analyze the major giving gift teams' performance, assess current and future potential, and scan the environment for the most recent trends on philanthropy.
• Provides direct guidance to the major gift team as it continues to grow and mature, combining the best elements of the art and science of fundraising practice.
• Effectively manages a portfolio of individual donors and prospects, primarily those rated as capable of giving at the level of $100,000 and more.
• Works closely with a variety of Pace stakeholders including providing leadership to the Schools individual Advisory Boards, and Parents & Family Council. These groups should be effective tools in support of increased giving, meaningful volunteer experiences, and improve opportunities for Pace students. Along with the Vice President, serve as the Campaign Director, advocate, and spokesperson.
• Enhances Pace's ability to integrate donors and potential donors into the Pace community and engages new and existing constituents nationally and internationally.
• Networks and connects regularly with donors and prospective donors, building and sustaining their positive relationships with Pace, as well as securing and pursuing related leads.
• In collaboration with the Vice President for Advancement and Associate Vice President for Alumni and Constituent Experiences, help to determine the direction of the University's stewardship and donor relations program to recognize donors in effective and meaningful ways.
• Through supervision of the Director of Planned Giving, create planned gift acquisition strategies and develop stewardship strategies for current planned giving donors.
• Develop strong positive relationships with the Pace community to establish Development and Alumni Relations as Pace's major resource and coordinator for all University fundraising.
• In consultation with the Vice President, the AVP will establish and adhere to annual operating budgets and ensures that Pace's philanthropy programs are operating in a fiscally prudent and productive way.
• Keep abreast of current best practices in the advancement/development profession and evaluates new and emerging ideas for potential implementation. Help develop and administer Pace's policies related to fundraising and gift stewardship.
• Effectively utilize the office's CRM to record prospect/donor activity and other relevant data in a timely fashion.
• Exceptional communication skills to include effective and persuasive writing, public speaking, and interpersonal skills and must display extraordinary tact and satisfy the donor/prospect while maintaining the integrity of Pace.
• Be prepared and stand ready at all times to represent the VP and/or University President, in meetings with donors, prospects, and alumni audiences.
• Foster collaborative relationships with peers within the Development department to establish a cohesive team strategy across giving channels that will ensure coordinated donor cultivation toward ongoing revenue growth.
• Performs other such duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Supervision Exercised

The AVP will provide leadership and oversight of 15 major gift staff, including providing strategic advice, mentorship, and maintaining performance-based metrics to measure and monitor each director's activities and fundraising results. Direct reports include Senior Director of Development (four) and a Development Associate.

Work Hours

Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., with additional hours as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required (advanced degree preferred).
• At least seven years of major gift fundraising experience is required. Ten years of major gift fundraising experience is preferred.
• Experience successfully managing a team to achieve fundraising and activity goals.
• Comprehensive campaign is preferred.
• Demonstrated record of successful major gift solicitations, including the design and execution of identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Ability to effectively communicate both written and orally with the intended audience.
• Superb organizational skills; experience in special events, complex and time-sensitive functions, and group interactions.
• Ability to prioritize and execute multiple tasks, meet deadlines, adapt to changes, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with volunteer leadership.
• Proficiency with MS Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with Sage Millennium or comparable fundraising database system.
• Ability to professionally interact with all levels of students, staff, faculty, and outside groups.
• Must be able to prioritize multiple responsibilities and work autonomously.
• Must have the ability and willingness to travel.
• Experience in a higher education setting is strongly preferred.