Assistant Vice President Development

Assistant Vice President for Development

Location:

Chicago, IL (Hybrid – 4 in-person days per week)

Salary Range: $240,000 to $260,000 per annum

The Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Development provides strategic leadership for key centralized fundraising functions, including Gift Planning, Corporate and Foundation Relations, regional major gift officers, and Athletics fundraising. Reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement, the AVP serves as the fundraising lead for priorities not aligned to specific schools or colleges.

The AVP develops and implements coordinated fundraising strategies that advance university-wide priorities, strengthen the pipeline of major and principal gift prospects, and expand support from individuals, corporations, and foundations. As a member of the University Advancement senior leadership team, the AVP contributes to divisional planning, campaign strategy, and overall fundraising performance.

• Strategic Leadership: Provide strategic leadership for centralized development functions, align fundraising strategies with university priorities and campaign goals.
• Lead the development and execution of strategies to secure philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, and foundations for university-wide initiatives.
• Leadership and Management: Lead and manage teams responsible for Gift Planning, Corporate and Foundation Relations, regional major gift fundraising, and Athletics fundraising. Foster a high-performing collaborative team culture focused on prospect management, cross‑functional coordination, and measurable outcomes.
• Pipeline Development and Philanthropic Growth: Develop strategies to expand the university’s pipeline of major and principal gift prospects; maintain and actively manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and donors; ensure coordinated approaches to engaging high‑capacity donors, corporations, and foundations.
• Performance and Institutional
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to fundraising activity, pipeline growth, and revenue outcomes across assigned functions; collaborate with advancement colleagues across the division to ensure coordinated donor strategies and stewardship; serve as the fundraising lead for non‑school and college‑based priorities.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree (preferred with emphasis in literature, communication, or journalism).
• Minimum eight years in higher education advancement and leadership experience, five of which must be in increasingly responsible management roles.

• 10+ years of progressive experience in higher education fundraising or a related field, with demonstrated success securing six- and seven‑figure commitments.
• Proven ability to manage a portfolio of high‑capacity prospects and donors, with experience developing and executing effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Demonstrated success leading and managing frontline fundraising teams, including setting goals, coaching performance, and driving results.
• Experience partnering with deans, academic leaders, and senior administrators to advance institutional and fundraising priorities.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to use data to inform decision‑making and drive performance.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage, influence, and build relationships with a wide range of constituents.
• Ability to work collaboratively across advancement functions to support integrated fundraising and campaign success.

• Resume
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

• Any additional materials that illustrate qualifications or past achievements.