Vice President - University Advancement

Vice President - University Advancement

APU seeks employees who desire to contribute to our thriving culture by cultivating community through professional interactions, demonstrating a posture of lifelong learning, and modeling Christ-like character. Working together, employees at APU commit to establishing a university atmosphere that is edifying to God and one another.

The Vice President for University Advancement is responsible for providing cohesive vision, leadership, and strategic direction to a successful university advancement strategy, with primary focus on Comprehensive Campaigns, Major Gifts, Foundations, Annual Giving, Planned Giving, and Development Research. This position is also responsible for our university-wide strategy surrounding Alumni Engagement. The Vice President provides leadership to a team of approximately 25 Development and Alumni professionals and ensures appropriately vetted policies and procedures are in place to meet legal and CASE requirements.

The position provides leadership to build a fundraising strategy and team aligned with APU's strategic plan/vision, to identify the resources necessary to successfully implement the plan, and promote team performance by delegating tasks and motivating employees to accomplish set fundraising goals.

The Vice President for University Advancement is responsible for leading APU's current comprehensive campaign, a $125M effort focused primarily on scholarships, academics, and capital improvements. Furthermore, it is expected that APU will utilize volunteer campaign leadership, and the Vice President will be charged with recruiting and leading this team. The Vice President will leverage the effective use of the President's time in the donor community and collaborate with the Cabinet for the implementation of campaign strategy.

This position reports to the President and serves as a member of the President's Cabinet.

• Master's degree or equivalent education and experience.

• The successful candidate will possess at least seven years of increased experience as a leader and a proven track record of success in Advancement, preferably in higher education.

• Develop and implement a strategic alumni and donor engagement plan that balances immediate fundraising needs with long‑term development of the donor base.
• Manage a portfolio of major donors (and prospects) and lead the division in annual fundraising production.
• Develop a strategic plan for fundraising growth, including alumni and parent relations, annual giving, major and planned giving, comprehensive campaigns, foundation relations, stewardship, and advancement operations.
• Lead the implementation of APU's current comprehensive fundraising campaign, and develop and lead future campaigns as needs arise.
• Recruit and lead a volunteer campaign leadership team, in collaboration with the president.
• Meet and exceed annual fundraising goals as agreed upon with the president.
• Provide direct leadership to the office of University Advancement, including a willingness to delegate and empower others to find innovative solutions to strengthen fundraising effectiveness.
• Leverage technology, APU's CRM software, and data analytics to enhance advancement strategies while ensuring data integrity.
• Manage timely reporting and tracking of KPIs against advancement fundraising goals.
• Collaborate closely with the Provost and academic leadership to identify resources, policies, and procedures to empower the deans and department chairs to fundraise in conjunction with the Advancement Office.
• Collaborate with the Vice President for Strategic Communication and Engagement / Chief Communication Officer to ensure the communication plan for alumni and donor engagement is compelling and consistent.
• Partner with other leaders on campus to ensure that all donor and potential donor engagements are effectively communicating and supporting the goals of the university.
• Serve on the President's Cabinet.
• Partner with the Vice President / Chief Strategy Officer and serve as a standing Cabinet guest to the Board of Trustees Strategic Oversight Committee.
• Represent the…