Associate Vice President, Principal Giving and Alumni Engagement – Leadership Giving - United States

Associate Vice President, Principal Giving and Alumni Engagement – Leadership Giving · Salary: · Commensurate with experience · Benefits: · Generous · benefits include paid time off including holidays and vacation, retirement · match, and tuition remission for employee and depend ...

Job description

Associate Vice President, Principal Giving and Alumni Engagement – Leadership Giving


Salary:
Commensurate with experience


Benefits:
Generous

benefits include paid time off including holidays and vacation, retirement
match, and tuition remission for employee and dependents.  Details at


Location:
Leadership Giving


Position Status:
Full-time


Hours:
Varied


Position Number:
/


FLSA Status:
Exempt


POSITION

SUMMARY:
The Associate Vice President for Principal Giving and
Alumni Engagement will play a pivotal role in securing transformational
philanthropic support from high-net-worth individuals to advance the
university's strategic priorities, including scholarships, capital projects,
endowed faculty positions, and mission driven initiatives. The incumbent will
also be responsible for establishing the strategic vision for, and oversight
of, the alumni engagement team focusing on elevating and aligning alumni
engagement initiatives with institutional priorities, fostering a culture of
connection, philanthropy, and advocacy, and leveraging data-driven insights to
enhance alumni participation and impact This individual will serve as a key
ambassador for Duquesne's Catholic and Spiritan values, fostering deep,
mission-aligned relationships with donors.

The Associate Vice President for Principal Giving and
Alumni Engagement will serve as the lead gift officer for
transformational gifts in support of the university. The incumbent will work
closely with the SVP for University Advancement to identify top prospects to be
cultivated in support of the university's top funding priorities. The AVP will
work closely with university leadership, deans, and university volunteers to
identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward top donor prospects and alumni.
Incumbent will be responsible for developing a comprehensive solicitation
strategy for top prospects, including alumni engagement events and programs
that result in philanthropy. Position holder will require extensive travel and
is responsible for a portfolio of university prospects.


DUTIES

AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Develops and implements individualized strategies to
cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, aligning their philanthropic
interests with Duquesne's institutional priorities and goals. Partner with
university leadership, deans, faculty, and advancement colleagues to identify and
promote funding opportunities and craft compelling cases for support. Position
includes extensive travel to meet donors, prospects, and alumni—estimated
travel equal to 65% of the time.

Provides the
strategic leadership and vision for the Alumni Engagement Team. Responsible for
developing and implementing a multi-year strategic plan for that Team that
elevates the alumni experience, utilizes best practices and aligns with the
university's advancement goals. Identify and prioritize opportunities and innovations
to deepen alumni involvement across key areas including career development,
volunteerism, mentorship, and philanthropy. Collaborate with senior leadership
to integrate alumni engagement into broader university initiatives and
campaigns.

In consultation
with the SVP, contribute to the planning and execution of comprehensive
fundraising campaigns including initiatives for capital projects, student
support including scholarships and endowed faculty positions.

Collaborates with
SVP on strategic engagement with key prospects, work with members of the
University advancement committee on identification of new prospects and develop
outreach strategies and other work as assigned.

Completes other duties as assigned.


SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supervises the work of others, including planning, assigning,
scheduling, and reviewing work, ensuring quality standards. Is responsible for
hiring, terminating, training, and developing, reviewing performance, and
administering corrective action for staff. Plans organizational structure and
job content.


REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum

qualifications:
BA/BS degree from an accredited institution and 10+ years of work-related
experience.

Progressively responsible development
experience in a university setting.

Successful track record being the
primarily responsible person for closing gifts of $500,000 plus and a
demonstrated sustained track record in identifying, cultivating and closing six-and
seven-figure gifts.

Successful experience in managing
fundraising for campaign initiatives and alumni programming is essential.

Proven track record of long-term
strategic planning and successful implementation and execution of alumni programs.

PA Driver's
license in good standing.

Preferred


qualifications:
MA from an accredited institution.

Experience navigating
a complex university environment strongly preferred.

Alternately, the
successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and
training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to
perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the

following:
A successful track record of success in personally
working with major gift prospects, written and verbal communication skills and
the ability to close gifts with a demonstrated success closing gifts as the
primary gift officer of $500,000 and above.

Knowledge of advancement best practices and a working
understanding of planned giving and other complex gift structures.

Visionary thinker with the ability to translate
strategy into action.

Successful track record of developing innovative and
creative alumni engagement programs.

Proven experience in successfully leading individuals
through the donor cycle—identification, qualification, cultivation,
solicitation, closure, stewardship.

The ability to determine the best strategy for
engaging a donor-what is a short-term win versus the long-term goal, and who
within the university plays a vital role in achieving those goals.

Collaborative and adaptable leader who thrives in
challenging and demanding situations with grace, in the spirit of the catholic
mission.

Experience with CRM database systems like Slate, Raiser's
Edge, or Salesforce.

Passion for higher education and alumni engagement.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the
University Community.

Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University
and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University.  The
mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of
service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an
ecumenical campus community.


APPLICATION

INSTRUCTIONS:
Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information
for three professional references.

Duquesne University was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community,
the Congregation of the Holy Spirit.  Duquesne University is Catholic in
mission and ecumenical in spirit.  Motivated by its Catholic identity,
Duquesne values equality of opportunity both as an educational institution and
as an employer.