POSITION OBJECTIVE
The associate vice president has primary responsibility to provide the strategic leadership and operational oversight of a comprehensive advancement services program across Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). The associate vice president has multi-faceted and complex responsibilities critical to the success of the fundraising mission. The associate vice president is responsible for guiding the university's fundraising infrastructure, including data and information systems, analytics and client solutions, prospect strategy, revenue and compliance and technical resources. The incumbent provides strategic direction and management oversight for the growing Advancement Services team with a focus on designing and implementing best practice development operations across the campus promoting the strategic engagement of Case Western Reserve University's 129,000 living alumni to maximize annual philanthropic support for the university. The associate vice president leads the multi-year database conversion project and oversees responsibility for multiple electronic and artificial intelligence (AI) platforms used for multiple key areas including prospect identification and prioritization, online giving, which are critical to the university's next comprehensive campaign. As a member of the University Relations and Development executive team, the associate vice president collaborates with university partners, divisional leaders, and external stakeholders to align advancement services with institutional priorities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Lead and implement the university's advancement services strategy to support the development and alumni relations activities aimed to maximize the lifetime engagement and philanthropic support of CWRU's alumni and other stakeholders. Supervise a growing department of 33 advancement services professionals in the areas of donor services, technology services, business intelligence, data analytics and reporting, data integrity, prospect management, and development research. Monitor program performance and provide training, coaching, and mentoring to promote staff professional development and success. Guide system innovations and implement new technologies to meet evolving division needs. (50%)
- Develop, implement, and oversee policies and procedures for the assignment of prospective donors for all giving programs at CWRU. Design and oversee the implementation and evaluation of the new prospect management program for more than 100 development officers across campus focused on building the major, leadership and principal gift pipelines to grow annual and campaign attainment. Oversee proactive and reactive research activities, prospect referrals, and portfolio management for the division. Ensure that high-value prospects receive appropriate and timely engagement. Monitor and report on progress toward goals for each unit and individual fundraiser. Create processes to disseminate ¿warm¿ and high-value prospects to appropriate gift officers to expedite growth in the number of major donors to CWRU. (25%)
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all data analytics, reporting, and data integrity activities to enable evaluation of overall program effectiveness, prospect pool penetration, segmentation strategies and development officer performance while ensuring the integrity, security, and optimization of advancement systems and processes support fundraising success, donor stewardship, and alumni engagement. Work closely with University Relations and Development division leadership to set goals, metrics and processes for delivering data and reports in a timely manner and with attention to accuracy. Ensure reports and data needed for strategic decision-making are developed and available to leadership. Serve as primary point person for the university controller's office and auditors to align on processes, reporting and tracking of philanthropic gifts, pledges and funds that impact the university's financial reporting. Design and implement Advancement Services data governance policies and procedures. (15%)
- Provide leadership in selecting and implementing appropriate tools for alumni engagement, business intelligence, data analytics, reporting, prospect management and development research. Collaborate with University Technology and technology vendors to implement and support all advancement tools. Address issues arising around the use of AI and securing University data. Serve as the university's alumni data steward, leading change management efforts, system enhancements, and continuous improvement initiatives to advance the university's philanthropic mission. Lead change management efforts by directing the development of training, documentation, and communication of both business and system processes. Regularly update and refine policies and procedures for data and information systems, analytics and client solutions, prospect strategy, revenue and compliance and technical resources to ensure alignment with division goals. (10%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. (<1%)
CONTACTS
Department: Daily contact with the senior vice president, vice president and staff as required to perform essential functions.
University: Daily contact with the president's office, vice presidents, deans, university controller, university treasurer, directors of administrative departments, faculty and staff as required to perform essential functions.
External: Contact with trustees, alumni, donors, friends of the university, vendors and volunteers as required to perform essential functions.
Students: Contact with students as required to perform essential functions.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Supervising a staff of advancement services professionals (33+).
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 12 or more years of progressive professional experience in higher education administration, external relations, or related. A successful track record working in a sophisticated advancement services operation is preferred.
Education: Bachelor's degree required.
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Thorough understanding of the reporting standards of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), a global nonprofit association for higher education advancement.
- Experience leading complex philanthropy survey submissions, such as Voluntary Support of Education, Education Advisory Board Fundraiser Productivity Survey and CASE Alumni Engagement Survey.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with all levels of staff, volunteers, board members, donors, and prospective donors.
- Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
- Demonstrated success implementing successful projects or initiatives with clear goals and objectives.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Effective presentation skills.
- Experience organizing and managing volunteer organizations.
- Knowledge of the issues and opportunities facing higher education.
- Ability to deal with issues and cultures throughout the nation and beyond.
- Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new programs. Must have significant technical expertise in computer and data programming, AI technology and tools, and developing management tools that support accountability standards.
- Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
- Ability to meet consistent attendance.
- Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
WORKING CONDITIONS
General office environment, occasional nights and weekend hours. Regular travel required.