Assistant Vice President, Strategic Philanthropy

Position Summary:

Florida Atlantic University seeks a deeply experienced, creative, and dynamic fundraiser to help lead a relationship-focused, results-oriented, donor-centered advancement team.

Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as Florida's fifth public university. Today, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast and is ranked as a top public university by U.S. News and World Report.

FAU is an energetic and fast-growing institution, determined to propel itself to the forefront of innovation and scholarship. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Our students are bold, ambitious, and ready to take on the world.

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and CEO of the FAU Foundation and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, the AVP of Strategic Philanthropy will lead the organization’s individual giving strategy while securing, stewarding, and growing major philanthropic investments that advance the mission of Florida Atlantic University’s Colleges and units.

In close partnership and collaboration with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, and the Assistant Vice President for Schools and Units, the school/college deans, and additional university leadership, the AVP will establish ambitious fundraising goals and develop performance metrics for development units and staff; driving efficiency and maximizing philanthropic support; utilize data analytics tools to identify trends and formulate strategies to drive the Advancement Officer metrics framework;

work with Advancement Officer and campus partners to create and execute donor strategies; provide training and mentorship to fundraising staff; and maintain their own portfolio of high-level prospects. The AVP of Strategic Philanthropy works closely with Regionally assigned Directors of Advancement and will assist in developing and executing comprehensive strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift donors, leadership donors, planned giving prospects, and campaign contributors.

This position manages a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects while building a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support to achieve annual and long-term fundraising goals.

The Assistant Vice President of Strategic Philanthropy is a valued member of the senior leadership team and will guide, coach, and supervise a team of Directors of Advancement focused on regional priorities, Legacy Giving, Foundation Relations, and Scholarships, and Student Affairs. This position will ensure the team meets philanthropic goals and works with committee members, volunteers, and community stakeholders to strengthen relationships and inspire transformational investments that support FAU’s mission.

The successful candidate will experience a commitment to Advancement at the very top from the President; a seasoned, dynamic Vice President of Institutional Advancement with a winning track record; innovative and committed Provost and Deans; and the opportunities and responsibilities appropriate for fundraising leaders to complete Florida Atlantic’s next campaign.

• Provide strong leadership and guidance to a team of professionals, fostering a high-performance culture, including directly supervising a staff of 7, which includes:
  • Regional Directors of Advancement (4) and an Assistant
  • Scholarships & Student Affairs Director of Advancement
  • Legacy Giving Executive Director and Associate Director
  • Foundation Relations Executive Director and Assistant Director
• Set…