Auburn University invites nominations and applications for the position of Senior Vice President for Advancement. The successful candidate will provide visionary leadership and guidance in the implementation of a new structure within Auburn University that combines the Office of Development, Office of Alumni Affairs and the Office of Communications and Marketing (OCM) into a single organization. This will include the modification of the infrastructure and organization of Development, Alumni Affairs, and OCM to foster a strong, collaborative team environment while implementing integration into a logical, non-duplicative and efficient manner which best meets the requirements and goals of the advancement organization and university. The Senior Vice President will be a member of the President’s cabinet. The position will require the building and establishment of strong relationships with the university Board of Trustees, the Auburn University Foundation board, the Auburn University Alumni Association and its board, the deans of all the university’s colleges and the athletic foundation. The Senior Vice President for Advancement will supervise an organization of approximately 200 employees and an annual budget of approximately $14 million. This position reports to the President of the university and is located in Auburn, Alabama.

Qualifications for this position include a bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, communications, public relations or a related field; a master’s degree would be an asset. The Sr. Vice President must have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience preferably within a university advancement organization and participating in a significant comprehensive campaign, if possible, at the billion-dollar+ level. An understanding, awareness, and passion for the mission of public land-grant institutions would be very helpful.

The Sr. Vice President will be an accomplished, imaginative advancement professional, who demonstrates the highest level of integrity and a commitment to high ethical standards; strong analytical, managerial, and strategic planning skills; a keen understanding of best practices in advancement; a comprehensive knowledge of all major advancement functions and a track record of significant personal success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship at principal gift levels. They must be a seasoned and successful leader of people and programs, adept at recruiting, retaining, motivating, leveraging, and advocating for staff and facilitating team success and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and creating a sense of belonging on the advancement team.

The Sr. Vice President will exhibit the credibility, maturity, and sophistication to effectively engage and partner with key internal and external stakeholders. The successful candidate must possess exceptional communication and negotiation skills; exemplary interpersonal and listening skills; strong executive presence and charisma; an intense work ethic and high energy level, coupled with a sense of humor and perspective and the willingness to put institutional interest before self-interest. Political savvy, flexibility, and cultural agility, as well as the desire and ability to build bridges and create genuine collaborative relationships across all university constituencies is imperative.

The Sr. VP will have demonstrated success in creating a goal-oriented environment that empowers staff through active communication and delegation, and that builds confidence, promotes diversity of thought, and celebrates achievements. They must be comfortable and effective working with high-net-worth individuals and corporate business leaders and must demonstrate the ability to build authentic relationships with constituents, exemplifying a highly donor-centric approach. The Sr. Vice President must have the ability and willingness to travel extensively, and to work long hours in order to successfully accomplish the university’s mission and goals.