Executive Advisor to Senior VP of University Advancement

Working Title: Executive Advisor to the Senior VP of University Advancement

State Role Title:Administrative and Professional Faculty

Position Type:Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt:
Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division:University Advancement Unit

Department: 100244 - Senior VP University Advancement

Pay Rate:Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:

Is this a JMU only position?No

Is this a grant-funded position?No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position?No

Beginning Review Date:03/3/2026

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

James Madison University seeks a highly trusted, strategic, and execution-oriented Executive Advisor to support the Vice President for Philanthropy & Engagement. This role serves as a daily partner to the Vice President, functioning as a conduit for action, communication, and follow-through, particularly when the Vice President is traveling.

The Executive Advisor ensures continuity of leadership, timely execution of philanthropic and engagement priorities, and effective coordination across the division and with campus partners. This position plays a critical role in advancing major philanthropic conversations, supporting strategic planning, and maintaining strong internal communication and operational momentum.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Executive Support & Strategic Coordination

• Provide day-to-day advisory and operational support to the Vice President for Philanthropy & Engagement.
• Act as a trusted proxy and point of continuity while the Vice President is traveling, ensuring timely follow-up, follow-through, and execution of philanthropic and engagement-related conversations.
• Serve as a primary communication link between the Vice President and senior administrators, campus partners, and staff within Alumnae Hall.
• Coordinate closely with Associate Vice Presidents, Assistant Vice Presidents, and Directors to ensure alignment, clarity, and progress on division priorities.
• Track, prioritize, and advance action items emerging from donor engagements, leadership meetings, and strategic initiatives.

Administration & Planning

• Facilitate regular proactive communications for internal and external stakeholders of the Philanthropy & Engagement division to build mission clarity and invite shared ownership and partnership by intentionally using Divisional emails, social media engagement, outlined bullets for meeting remarks and personalized correspondence.
• Plan, coordinate, and support division retreats, leadership meetings, planning sessions, and regular director and leadership meetings.
• Serve as the division's Program Review Coordinator by establishing and monitoring program review guidelines, timelines, and processes.
• Notify Directors and AVPs of upcoming reviews.
• Ensure all department reviews adhere to university policy and established standards.
• Lead and support strategic and operational planning including oversight of the division's use of the institution's Star Tool planning…