At Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), we Make it Real through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees work flexibility, a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.

The mission of VCU’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is to maximize philanthropic support by engaging stakeholders with our institution working in partnership with all VCU schools, programs and campuses as one development and alumni relations community and implementing the best practices and efficient strategies to achieve a comprehensive development program.

DAR is recruiting for a dynamic, thought leader to serve as the Assistant Vice President of Advancement Solutions (AVP), in a University and Academic Professional position reporting to Senior Associate Vice President for Campaign Administration. The AVP will hold a leadership role for all strategic business solutions, including foundation services, gift management and compliance, data management, prospect development, and technical solutions. The AVP is charged with meeting the university’s ambitious campaign goals by developing and implementing a business plan for Advancement Operations. The AVP will lead growth from a responsive service centered organization to a proactive solution focused organization.

Responsibilities: 

In this role, you will:

• Serve on the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations’ cabinet, participating in strategic planning, campaign design and implementation, and development of system-wide business solutions.
• Develop a comprehensive plan for Advancement Solutions to ensure that all operating units support the shared priorities of our division including, but not limited to, policy and procedural recommendations, foundation services, database configurations, technical investments, and data integrations.
• Lead experienced teams of gift and records management, technical solutions, and prospect development professionals to achieve DAR’s established metrics.
• Manage Advancement Solutions $4.5M budget to ensure success of divisional priorities
• Serve as primary liaison with the university’s institutionally-related foundations, offices of audit, compliance, general counsel, finance, student services, human resources, information technology, health system, as well as other units interacting with Development and Alumni Relations in a data/business capacity.
• Collaborate with DAR Strategic Marketing & Engagement, Alumni Relations, and University Development to deliver technical and business solutions that support fundraising and engagement goals and strategies.
• Represent DAR on related university committees, ensuring DAR’s involvement in fiscal and data stewardship to ensure the efficient use of business knowledge to implement sophisticated solutions to serve the university and its health system

In the current departmental structure, you will:

• Supervise the Executive Director of Gifts and Records Management to ensure all department functions are performed in accordance with IRS regulations, university policies and procedures and industry best practices.
• Supervise the Executive Director of DAR Technology Solutions to implement, maintain, improve and secure the database, RADAR, and all other fundraising/marketing tools. – Ensure the timely and accurate production of customizations, reports, and enhancements. Maintain best practices in technical services and implement state-of-the-art technical functionalities.
• Supervise the Executive Director of Prospect Development to develop and implement a prospect management system and analytics program that meets the needs of fundraisers, helping them to successfully move constituents through the cultivation cycle.
• Supervise a new Director of Data Management to define data governance, data definitions and policies, data protection, and data reporting.

As a team member, you will:

• Maintain and encourage trusting and respectful professional relationships within the team and throughout DAR and VCU.
• Practice appreciative leadership and an outward mindset across teams of varying talents and backgrounds.
• Collaborate with peers and stakeholders to instigate and support holistic change in strategy, systems and business processes.
• Work in a fast-paced, performance-based professional environment.
• Align with DAR’s core purpose and values.

Required Qualifications/Skills: 

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, accounting, information systems, business management or a related field.
• 7-10 years of progressive experience in a higher education, health or nonprofit fundraising environment.
• Proven success in building advancement/fundraising business solutions and services.
• Experience working with fundraising/marketing CRM solutions and applications.
• Ability to solve problems while effectively collaborating with stakeholders throughout a multi-faceted organization.
• Ability to provide strategic advice and guidance to leadership and campus partners on all aspects of Advancement Solutions.
• Expert understanding of protocols and industry best practices for gift accounting, compliance, campaign counting and prospect development.
• Expert manager with a track record of successful coaching and succession planning.
• Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills; display superior judgment, negotiating skills and diplomacy.
• Must be confident and capable of managing priorities while working strategically, collaboratively and inventively.
• Experience working with fundraising/marketing CRM solutions and applications.
• Proven budget management expertise
• Commitment to the mission and strategic goals of VCU and the VCU Health System.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so at VCU.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree in marketing, business, communications, technology or related field.
• 5-7 years of progressive leadership experience with Blackbaud CRM, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, EverTrue, Tableau, and online services.
• Progressive experience in Information Management, Advancement Services, Foundation Services, Advancement Operations or Development Services.

For more information on Virginia Commonwealth University and Development and Alumni Relations, please visit https://www.support.vcu.edu/talent/

Interested individuals should apply directly at https://vcu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/3/home/requisition/142?c=vcu

Salary Range: $175,000 – $200,000

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation or disability.