Position Function: 

The role of Vice President for Development offers the successful candidate vast partnership opportunities at a critical time in the history of the Ball State University Foundation. As a key player in the planning and implementation of the most ambitious fundraising campaign in Ball State University history, the Vice President for Development will report to the BSU Foundation President & Vice President for University Advancement, and will be responsible for driving all major gift activity for the Foundation.

The person in this role will also work closely with BSU President, Geoffrey Mearns, a gifted and visionary leader who has innate talent as a fundraiser and devotes substantial time and energy to development work and with the Chief Advancement Officer to help coordinate all principal giving efforts, playing an integral role in the comprehensive campaign, currently in the early planning stages.

The Vice President for Development will lead an existing major gifts team that is comprised of seasoned veterans as well as eager newcomers who are hungry to learn and succeed. The successful candidate will work with campus partners including deans, the Provost, and Athletic Director–all of whom are energized to be actively engaged and involved and look forward to partnering with the foundation to shape their campaign priorities and approach to fundraising.

Ball State University’s alumni/friend constituency is highly supportive of institutional priorities, and eagerly awaits a comprehensive campaign, and the foundation’s Board of Directors is fully committed to Ball State’s success and its untapped giving and volunteer capacity.

Minimum Education: 

An advanced degree plus seven years of fundraising experience working in a complex organization or university setting OR a bachelor’s degree plus ten years of fundraising experience working in a complex organization or university setting.

Minimum Experience: 

• Demonstrated success managing a fundraising department within a comprehensive campaign.
• Experience in leading, managing, and supervising advancement professionals who are successful fundraisers.
• Experience in initiating high-level gift and grant discussions with corporate, foundation and individual donor prospects.
• Experience in recruiting, motivating, and supporting volunteers to build and expand the development network.
• A progressive track record of successes as an effective leader with expertise in personnel management, strategic planning, and program accountability.

Minimum Other: 

• Highly motivated with a record of professional success and compelling leadership skills that are collaborative and inclusive.
• Must possess the highest level of integrity, accountability, and trustworthiness.
• Must believe in fostering an empowered, inspired, and positive culture for staff.
• A self-starter with a sense of urgency and a clear set of priorities with the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Possess a creative approach to problem solving and the ability to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and political savvy, with the ability to navigate a complex environment and understand and relate effectively with diverse constituents.
• Ability to function at peak in a high expectation environment is essential.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate in a clear, consistent, and transparent manner to create shared goals and understanding.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly, including overnight and sometimes on weekends.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and be insurable under the university’s auto fleet policy.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working on a campaign that exceeded $100 Million.

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Providing onboarding, leadership, coaching, and effective supervision of the staff members in all areas of major giving including; school/program-based giving, gift planning, corporate and Foundation relations, athletics fundraising and prospect research and development.
• Identifying campaign priorities and set fundraising goals for each of the constituent areas and central fundraising units.
• Instilling fundraising best practices among staff, and helping to communicate these best practices to the deans, department chairs, and other academic leaders.
• Working with the assigned staff members to develop business plans and annual goals, track monthly and quarterly progress, and conduct annual performance evaluations.
• Leading staff in an aggressive program of donor identification and qualification, in order to build a substantial pool of prospective donors.
• Working with staff to help coach deans and other academic leaders in the art of developing and articulating a compelling vision for their areas of responsibility.
• Building strong relationships among the academic and administrative leadership, the faculty, and external constituents, including donors, alumni and community leaders, with the goal of increasing the visibility of Ball State University for potential donors.
• Providing insight to help set the Foundation’s annual fundraising goal, and achieve a significant increase in major gift fundraising productivity for the institution.
• Meeting Foundation-wide performance metrics and monthly/annual goals as agreed upon with the BSU Foundation President and Vice President for University Advancement.
• Encouraging and coordinating professional development opportunities for assigned staff.
• Over time, the incumbent will be expected to develop and maintain a small portfolio of high-value donor prospects.
• Serving as an active member of the Vice President’s Executive Team.
• Working in collaboration with the BSU Foundation President and Vice President for University Advancement to manage, motivate, and steward Foundation board members to aid in meeting fundraising and campaign goals.
• Maintaining a positive and appropriate relationship with volunteer partners such as the BSU Foundation Board of Directors, University Trustees, and Alumni Council members.
• Maintaining a positive and collaborative relationship with the Ball State University Athletics, and all other BSU constituents.
• Ensuring all data is made available to meet the data reporting needs of the BSU Foundation and the BSU Foundation President and Vice President for University Advancement.
• Implementation and management of important aspects of campaign operations.
• Collaborating with leaders of other Foundation areas to achieve teamwork-oriented atmosphere.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.