Vice President Institutional Advancement and Alumni & Family Engagement

Overview

Dean College seeks a dynamic and strategic Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Alumni & Family Engagement to provide results-driven leadership for all fundraising, alumni, and family engagement efforts at Dean College. This role is designed for an advancement professional who brings sound judgment and a proven record of success leading comprehensive advancement programs at mission-driven institutions.

About Dean College: Situated in Franklin, Massachusetts, Dean is a private, residential New England college grounded in a culture and tradition that all students deserve the opportunity to discover and exceed their greatest aspirations. A personal and transformative community since 1865, Dean tirelessly inspires students to unimagined heights through personalized support and integrated delivery of academic, co-curricular and experiential learning. Nationally recognized as a 2025-26 College of Distinction based on four distinctions – engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community, and successful outcome – Dean serves approximately 1,200 full-time students and 400 part-time students and offers more than 50 combined bachelor"s and associate degree programs, as well as a robust schedule of continuing studies, EMTs and certificate programs.

About the Position: The Vice President provides strategic counsel and operational leadership to advance the College’s long-term financial sustainability and reputation. In keeping with the scale and culture of a small private college, this is an intentionally hands-on executive role, requiring the judgment and perspective to assess current capacity, strengthen systems and infrastructure, and actively lead key fundraising and engagement strategies that deliver consistent results and support long-term institutional growth.

The Vice President leads an integrated advancement operation encompassing major and planned gifts, annual and leadership giving, alumni and family engagement, grants, stewardship, and advancement operations, and directly oversees a team of two professionals. The structure of the team is designed to maximize focus, accountability, and effectiveness, with the Vice President actively engaged in both leadership and operational execution. Emphasis is placed on high-touch relationship management, data-informed strategy, and cross-campus collaboration that connects philanthropy with student success, institutional priorities, and career-connected outcomes.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate should possess a bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred); a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in institutional advancement, development, or a closely related field; demonstrated success as a leader in comprehensive fundraising programs with sustained results across multiple giving areas; prior experience serving in a senior-level advancement role with responsibility for strategy, staff leadership, and goal achievement;

proven ability to partner effectively with presidents, boards, and senior leadership teams; and a track record of building, mentoring, and retaining high-performing advancement teams.

The full position profile can be accessed at:

Application & Nomination Process

Greenwood Asher & Associates® is assisting Dean College in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. To ensure full consideration, applications and nominations should be provided by March 19, 2026
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Application materials should include:

• Letter of interest that clearly states the applicant’s qualifications for the position
• Current résumé/curriculum vitae

Please submit full application packets here.

We strongly encourage submitting application materials as PDF attachments. The search will be conducted with a commitment to confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected.

Nominations and confidential inquiries can be sent to:

Jim Johnsen, Vice President of Executive Search

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Kyle Pybus-Jerome, Senior Executive Search Consultant

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Equal Opportunity Employer

Dean College is a private, residential New England college, which is grounded in a culture and tradition that all students deserve the opportunity to achieve their greatest aspirations through a formative liberal arts education. We encourage applications from candidates who are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. Dean College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, status as a parent, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other protected classifications.