Jobs and Careers
FE
Associate Vice President for Advancement & Executive Director, The Ferris Foundation
Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 22 Oct 2025
💰 $156,000/yr($146,000/yr – $156,000/yr)
About the role
Position Title:
Associate Vice President for Advancement & Executive Director, The Ferris Foundation
Location:
Big Rapids (Main Campus)
Department:
• The AVP partners with the VP of University Advancement & Marketing and the university advancement leadership team to establish comprehensive fundraising strategies and integrate best practices, while personally managing a portfolio of high-capacity donors.
• Additionally, the AVP fosters a culture of cross-campus engagement, collaborating with faculty, athletics, and key stakeholders to enhance donor participation and secure transformational and planned gifts that drive long-term institutional growth. Position Type: Staff Required Education: • Bachelor’s degree.
Required Work Experience: • At least 8 years of progressive experience in advancement within higher education.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing six-figure and seven-figure gifts from various sources.
• Experience with capital campaigns. Required Licenses and Certifications: Physical Demands:
• More than 10 years of progressively responsible and relevant fundraising experience at a university or comparable non-profit organization and a proven track record of securing leadership-level gifts and developing and executing successful comprehensive fundraising campaigns. Essential Duties/Responsibilities: • Serve as the senior fundraising executive for University Advancement.
• Serve as the Executive Director of the Ferris Foundation.
• Proficiency and understanding of a wide range of digital platforms that includes; websites, social media platforms, and design software with a willingness to adopt new technologies.
• Demonstrates an understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, especially in working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
• Experience in creating and managing multi-channel digital fundraising plans, particularly for events such as giving days.
• Demonstrated ability to bring innovation and leadership to fundraising efforts and capitalizing on the opportunities provided by the digital landscape.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing and inspiring teams, as well as working with cross-functional colleagues.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data and refine strategies.
• Develop and manage the budgets for all Development efforts and programs.
• Document development strategies and processes that includes; assessing networks, sample appeal letters, resources, and other creative ideas for raising funds.
• Understanding of planned giving vehicles and strategies.
• Ability to articulate Ferris State University’s mission and vision in a compelling way.
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical fundraising practices.
• Operates university motor or personal vehicles safely while carrying out job responsibilities.
• Any other duties assigned within the position classification area. Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: • Serve on University committees as appropriate.
Skills and Abilities: • Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines.
70000 - Univer Advance and Mktg VP Office
Advertised Salary: $146,000 - $156,000. Salary commensurate with education, experiences, and other requirements. Benefits:Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.
Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans
FLSA: Exempt Temporary/Continuing: Continuing Part-Time/Full-Time: Full-Time Union Group: N/A Term of Position: 12 Month At Will/Just Cause: At Will Summary of Position: • The Associate Vice President for Advancement & the Executive Director of the Ferris Foundation provides strategic leadership to a team of gift officers and annual giving professionals to advance Ferris State University’s philanthropic priorities by leading and developing a high-performing team, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and measurable fundraising success.• The AVP partners with the VP of University Advancement & Marketing and the university advancement leadership team to establish comprehensive fundraising strategies and integrate best practices, while personally managing a portfolio of high-capacity donors.
• Additionally, the AVP fosters a culture of cross-campus engagement, collaborating with faculty, athletics, and key stakeholders to enhance donor participation and secure transformational and planned gifts that drive long-term institutional growth. Position Type: Staff Required Education: • Bachelor’s degree.
Required Work Experience: • At least 8 years of progressive experience in advancement within higher education.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing six-figure and seven-figure gifts from various sources.
• Experience with capital campaigns. Required Licenses and Certifications: Physical Demands:
- Office Environment
- Moving
- Reaching
- Sitting
- Twisting
- Driving
- Repetitive movement
• More than 10 years of progressively responsible and relevant fundraising experience at a university or comparable non-profit organization and a proven track record of securing leadership-level gifts and developing and executing successful comprehensive fundraising campaigns. Essential Duties/Responsibilities: • Serve as the senior fundraising executive for University Advancement.
• Serve as the Executive Director of the Ferris Foundation.
• Proficiency and understanding of a wide range of digital platforms that includes; websites, social media platforms, and design software with a willingness to adopt new technologies.
• Demonstrates an understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, especially in working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
• Experience in creating and managing multi-channel digital fundraising plans, particularly for events such as giving days.
• Demonstrated ability to bring innovation and leadership to fundraising efforts and capitalizing on the opportunities provided by the digital landscape.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing and inspiring teams, as well as working with cross-functional colleagues.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data and refine strategies.
• Develop and manage the budgets for all Development efforts and programs.
• Document development strategies and processes that includes; assessing networks, sample appeal letters, resources, and other creative ideas for raising funds.
• Understanding of planned giving vehicles and strategies.
• Ability to articulate Ferris State University’s mission and vision in a compelling way.
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical fundraising practices.
• Operates university motor or personal vehicles safely while carrying out job responsibilities.
• Any other duties assigned within the position classification area. Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: • Serve on University committees as appropriate.
Skills and Abilities: • Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines.
Apply for this role
Generate a tailored application kit with a matched cover letter, interview prep, and CV highlights — in under 60 seconds.
Apply Now →Generate Application KitFree account required — sign up in 30s