Assistant Vice President​/Chief Development Officer

November 8, 2026 University Advancement

Eastern Illinois University invites applications for the role of Assistant Vice President (AVP)/Chief Development Officer. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs & University Advancement, this new position is a cornerstone of our advancement division and will serve as a pivotal member of the Advancement Leadership Team as we launch a micro-campaign for our new Integrated Science Building, Admissions Welcome Center, and a renovated residence hall.

The AVP will lead the fundraising team and the Strategic Communications & Operations area with a focus on unified institutional priorities, development planning and goal setting, data management, strategic partnership both in Advancement and with other key stakeholders, pipeline development, and securing philanthropic support for colleges and units across EIU.

• Manage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward principal gifts ($250,000+)
• Supervise, coach, and mentor a team of fundraising professionals; establish clear annual KPIs and performance metrics that foster a high-output, collaborative culture in partnership with the Vice President for Student Affairs & University Advancement
• Serve as a key architect for EIU’s annual fundraising plan, micro-campaigns, and upcoming comprehensive campaign
• Serve as a primary advisor to Deans and other academic leaders
• Provide strategic guidance on fundraising priorities and donor engagement and translating unit-specific priorities into actionable fundraising initiatives
• Direct collaboration with Alumni Relations to support Alumni Engagement as well as the Foundation Collaborative relationship with Assistant Athletics Director/Development
• Responsible for establishing annual fundraising goals and KPIs for Development and individual fundraisers Utilize data analytics to monitor portfolio health, ensuring a fluid "moves management" process across the entire frontline team
• Ensure all fundraising activities align with the university’s strategic plan and centralized advancement standards
• Partner with Engagement, Communications, and Stewardship teams to ensure seamless donor experience and consistent institutional messaging
• Represent the university at high-level meetings, events, and individual visits with alumni, friends, and community stakeholders
• Responsible for managing development’s annual budget
• Other duties as assigned

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited post-secondary institution
• A minimum of five years of professional fundraising experience in higher education or a nonprofit organization
• Demonstrated success in qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and closure of six- or seven-figure gifts (or higher)
• Experience with CRM software (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud CRM, Salesforce)
• Ability to travel to meet with donors and work evening/weekend events as required
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation abilities
• Experience working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment
• Demonstrated ability to positively represent EIU in visits with alumni, donors and constituents
• Supervisory experience Strong commitment to the Donor Bill of Rights and the ability to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality

• Master’s degree or relevant campaign experience
• Experience leading or mentoring professional staff in a goal-oriented setting Goal setting and tracking experience
• Experience in determining appropriate gift levels and writing effective gift proposals
• Working knowledge of or experience with major gift fundraising, annual giving, and corporate and foundation fundraising
  
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