Job Description: 

The new Vice President will bring a record of fundraising success and the integrity, energy, and empathy to lead the division, which includes Alumni Relations, Development (annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and donor relations) and Advancement Services and, at present, has a staff of 15 total. The Vice President will create a comprehensive alumni engagement and fundraising strategy that prioritizes developing partnerships with members of the President’s Leadership Team and the College’s academic leadership to create a culture of philanthropy, deepen alumni engagement and successfully complete the Advancing Humanics comprehensive campaign. The Vice President will lead a process to develop compelling ideas and approaches that will result in transformative philanthropy across the College. This includes motivating, mentoring, and leading the institutional advancement team; strengthening metrics, analytics, and operations; increasing alumni and volunteer engagement; and carrying a portfolio of principal gift prospects. The Vice President for Institutional Advancement also will work closely with President and the members of the President’s Leadership Team (PLT), playing a key leadership role in fostering a sense of inclusion and engagement in a diverse and vibrant community that includes our alumni, donors, and friends.

The next Vice President must demonstrate:

• A deep understanding of the philanthropic opportunities and challenges of a primarily residential campus.
• Successful leadership of development, alumni relations, and advancement services, ideally in a higher education setting, including a record of campaign management, and cultivating and soliciting major, principal, and other transformational gifts from existing and new donors, including corporations and foundations.
• The ability to build a culture of philanthropy in the organization that translates into increased engagement and financial support.
• The ability to assess current programs, projects, and staff assignments to create a dynamic, future-oriented Institutional Advancement operation.
• The willingness to transform an organization through strategic, data-driven, and tech savvy approaches driven by best practices in the field.
• The capacity and motivation to be a change agent, with success in effecting large-scale change in previous organizations.
• A propensity toward seeking mutually beneficial partnerships, within campus and without, that advances the Springfield College mission and philanthropic goals.
• Excellent communication skills, transparency, collegiality, integrity, and commitment to success.
• High levels of energy, creativity, initiative, and innovation.
• An exceptional work ethic and commitment to teamwork.

Opportunities and challenges for the next Vice President:

• Partner with the President, the Board of Trustees, and other senior leaders to think strategically and plan appropriately for changes in the higher education landscape over the next 5-10 years.
• Work closely with the President’s Office in all phases of their advancement and campaign leadership activities.
• Promote a divisional approach that prioritizes the donor experience, focuses on the impact of philanthropy, and connects with the College’s proud and sustained Humanics mission.
• Leverage technology and systems to communicate effectively with prospects and donors, creating innovative and impactful events and fundraising campaigns that inspire, engage, and excite.
• Participate in strategic discussions and develop programs to strengthen the College’s financial resources.
• Create and execute fund raising plans that utilize best practices in annual, major, and planned gift programs to meet fundraising goals.
• Develop and implement dynamic and data-driven processes in all phases of donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Represent the College and the President to internal and external constituents, including serving on boards to benefit the institution.
• Be active and involved in the advancement profession and keep Springfield College visible among higher education peer institutions.
• Contribute to the division’s success in responding to the complex, rapidly changing circumstances brought about by the pandemic and racial strife and awakening of 2020.

Requirements: 

• A Bachelor’s degree is required and minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in non-profit fundraising are required.
• A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Supervisor experience required.