Description

The Gies College of Business (Gies) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign seeks an experienced, strategic and collaborative advancement leader to serve as its next full-time Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) and Associate Dean for Advancement. Joining the dean of Gies College of Business and serving as an integral member of the dean’s leadership team, the CAO will provide strategic vision, leadership and direction for all fundraising, alumni engagement and advancement operations for Gies.

For more than 100 years, Gies College of Business has intentionally designed its innovative programs, leading-edge curriculum and experiential learning opportunities to empower and prepare students to turn big ideas into meaningful actions. Today, Gies faculty prepare more than 7,000 future business leaders, including 3,100 undergraduates, from around the world to put their purpose into practice and provide transformative leadership in a global economy. The college has a loyal community of over 70,000 alumni and friends around the globe.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a global, preeminent research university. Since its founding in 1867, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has earned a reputation as a world-class leader in research, teaching and public engagement.

On October 13, 2017, the university publicly launched its fourth comprehensive campaign. “With Illinois” is the most ambitious philanthropic initiative in its history. The goal is to raise $2.25 billion in support of Illinois students, faculty, research and infrastructure; and to continue to elevate the values that make Illinois distinctive: a sense of boundless aspiration, collaborative research and global perspective. The Gies College of Business was named in 2017 with a gift of $150 million and is 90% of the way to its $300 million “With Illinois” campaign goal.

Reporting to Dean Jeffrey Brown and Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement Barry Benson, the CAO will build upon a program that has enjoyed considerable success since it was established. With the university poised to exceed the $2.25 billion-dollar campaign and the Gies College of Business anticipating exceeding its $300 million dollar goal, the CAO will continue to collaborate with the leadership to push the development and alumni relations program beyond this goal in one of the most dynamic colleges within the university. The candidate will be expected to work closely with the dean, college leaders, faculty and campus advancement colleagues to enhance the culture of giving and will oversee all development and alumni relations activity for the college.

The CAO will be an experienced development professional with at least 10 years of direct development experience. The CAO will have the particular ability to develop and to execute strategy at both the departmental and university level and will be a proven planner and executor of those plans. A collaborative approach to leadership is a serious requirement. Critical, also, is leadership experience in an institution of considerable organizational complexity typified by matrix relationships of power and influence. An understanding of school-based development is a must, and previous experience working closely with deans or department chairs will be a significant advantage. Leadership experience in a campaign setting is required, and experience in the design of such an effort is a distinct preference. A bachelor’s degree is required and an advanced degree preferred.

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile at www.wittkieffer.com.

WittKieffer is assisting The University of Illinois, Gies College of Business in this search. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Mercedes Chacón Vance and Kim Brettschneider
[email protected]

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.