Executive Vice President of Advancement

Description

Position Overview

The Executive Vice President (EVP) of Advancement is a senior leader responsible for building and directing Minerva University's comprehensive advancement program. This executive leadership team position integrates five critical domains: Strategic Leadership, Fundraising, Global Communications and Marketing, Alumni Relations, and Development Operations. The role demands an entrepreneurial leader who can establish sophisticated advancement infrastructure while cultivating a global network of supporters to advance Minerva's innovative mission and distinctive culture.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

The EVP designs and implements comprehensive advancement strategies:

• Creates multi-year advancement plans aligned with Minerva's mission in partnership with the President, Provost, and fellow EVPs
• Establishes clear metrics and accountability systems for measuring advancement success
• Builds and leads high-performing teams across development, communications, marketing, and alumni relations
• Directs board engagement and communication strategies for advancement matters
• Partners with academic leadership to ensure advancement goals reflect Minerva University’s priorities and values
• Establishes clear metrics and accountability systems for measuring advancement success

2. Fundraising

The EVP orchestrates principal gift strategy and execution:

• Creates comprehensive development strategies spanning annual, major, and planned giving programs
• Collaborates with the President, academic leadership, and faculty to articulate compelling funding priorities
• Implements a system for measuring fundraising activities and outcomes throughout the pipeline and reporting on progress to the Board of Trustees and the organization
• Develops relationships with top-tier global prospects and donors
• Creates innovative major gift strategies suited to international contexts
• Implements sophisticated approaches for global corporate and foundation partnerships
• Establishes gift acceptance policies for international giving vehicles
• Develops sophisticated stewardship protocols for diverse cultural contexts

3. Global Communications and Marketing

The EVP directs worldwide marketing and communications:

• Develops strategic marketing and communications plans aligned with Minerva's distinctive brand and culture
• Creates consistent messaging frameworks adaptable to regional contexts
• Collaborates with enrollment team to support student recruitment priorities
• Implements digital-first strategies to drive student recruitment globally in partnership with admissions
• Develops relationships with journalists, media influencers and opinion leaders
• Creates compelling multilingual content for diverse international audiences
• Establishes metrics for measuring marketing effectiveness globally
• Implements crisis communications protocols with global sensitivity

4. Alumni Relations

The EVP designs pioneering approaches to global alumni engagement:

• Develops comprehensive strategies for engaging alumni across international boundaries
• Partners with academic and student life teams to strengthen alumni connections
• Creates governance models for alumni leadership in partnership with Alumni Council
• Implements digital-first engagement platforms for global connectivity
• Establishes volunteer and leadership opportunities leveraging alumni expertise
• Creates metrics and systems for tracking international alumni engagement
• Implements giving programs tailored to Minerva's unique global alumni base

5. Development Operations

The EVP builds effective operational infrastructure:

• Develops CRM system functionality supporting all advancement functions in collaboration with the EVP of Strategy and Administration
• Creates frameworks for prospect management and donor engagement
• Implements comprehensive reporting systems for stakeholder communication
• Establishes compliance protocols for international fundraising
• Develops operational policies supporting global advancement
• Partners with finance team to ensure accurate gift processing and reporting

Education & Experience Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required 
• Graduate degree in Business, International Relations, Higher Education Administration preferred but not required
• Advanced training in global philanthropy and cross-cultural communication valued
• CFRE certification or similar international fundraising credentials ap