Associate Vice President for Advancement

Description

The Associate Vice President for Advancement (AVPA) administers the major gifts program at Keuka College, working closely with the Vice President to ensure a robust and strategic approach to major gift fundraising. This leadership role involves direct engagement with principal, major, and planned to give donors, managing a personal portfolio of 150 qualified prospects. The AVPA will also supervise and mentor one major gift officer (with the potential to add more), guiding them toward achieving ambitious fundraising goals that align with the college’s strategic priorities.

Specific Responsibilities:

[80%] Fundraising

• Portfolio Management:
  • Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and planned giving donors to the college. Maintain a comprehensive record of activity with prospects in The Raiser’s Edge.
  • Manage a portfolio of upwards of 150 qualified prospect households, traveling within managed territories to complete a targeted number of prospect visits annually, based on established fundraising goals.
  • Prepare and collaborate on proposals for gift solicitations that may include major, planned, and annual fund gift components, ensuring alignment with the college’s overall strategy and goals.
  • Focus on securing support for campus-wide priorities and initiatives, developing strong relationships with prospective donors, and moving them through the cultivation cycle from identification through solicitation and stewardship.
  • Manage the planned gift program and strategies, ensuring effective integration with overall fundraising efforts.

[10%] Strategy Development

• Strategic Impact:
  • Collaborate with the Vice President to identify and prioritize fundraising opportunities that align with Keuka College’s strategic goals, ensuring that major gift efforts are focused on initiatives with the greatest potential impact.
  • Partner with other departments, including annual giving, alumni relations, marketing, and communications, to create cohesive and compelling messaging for fundraising initiatives.
  • Participate in the planning and execution of major fundraising campaigns, including capital campaigns, endowment building, and special projects.

[10%] Management

• Team Leadership:
  • Oversee the major gift officer(s), providing leadership, guidance, and support to ensure the team meets its fundraising goals while also growing in expertise and effectiveness.
  • Develop and monitor performance metrics for major gift officer(s), ensuring accountability and effectiveness in prospect management.
  • Mentor and support professional growth within the team and division, fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment that promotes continuous improvement and professional development.  

Physical Requirements

• Requires repetitive motions and sitting at a computer keyboard.
• Ability to hear and speak on the telephone.
• Able to conduct business at other offices on campus, with some performance of job duties requiring travel to branch campuses or other offsite locations.
• Evening and weekend hours occasionally required.
• Occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs.
• Flexibility for remote or hybrid work may be available, depending on the needs of the team and the demands of the role.

Requirements

•   Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree required.
  • A minimum of 10 years of professional work experience required, with experience in fundraising or a field utilizing similar skills such as sales, business development, or high-level client relationship management.
  • Proven ability to successfully cultivate, solicit, and close five- and six-figure gifts,  with experience in major gift and planned gift fundraising in a higher education setting considered a plus.
  • A willingness to travel frequently within managed territories for visits, and to staff the Vice President and President as needed.
  • A willingness to work some evenings and weekends.
• Skills & Competencies:
  • Excellent organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook, with preferred experience in Microsoft Excel and The Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM systems, demonstrating a strong ability to utilize data and technology to inform and drive fundraising strategies.
  • Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team, build effective relationships, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Ability to develop strong relationships wit