Vice President, Management

Vice President for Advancement page is loaded## Vice President for Advancementlocations:
Smith College time type:
Full time posted on:
Posted 2 Days Agojob requisition :
R-##
** Job Description**# #
* Smith College has engaged Opus Partners to support this search. All applications must be submitted to abi Please do not apply through Smith College's applicant portal.*#
** Vice President for Advancement
** Smith College seeks a Vice President for Advancement (VPA) to lead all aspects of development and alum engagement and to partner with Smith’s president, Sarah Willie-LeBreton, to design and lead the college’s next comprehensive campaign—an ambitious, mission-driven effort to advance access, academic distinction, and the student experience for generations to come.

Founded in 1871 through the vision and philanthropy of Sophia Smith, Smith College advances a mission to provide an education of the highest quality and to prepare women for lives of purpose, leadership, and impact. From its earliest years, Smith has paired the power of the liberal arts with a commitment to academic freedom, equity, and opportunity—opening doors that once stood closed and expanding what is possible for its students.

Smith College has an endowment of $2.7 billion, and its fundraising program is characterized by consistent growth, broad participation, and a deeply loyal alum base. Over the last six fiscal years, the college has secured two gifts of over $50 million.

Reporting directly to President Willie-LeBreton, the VPA serves as the college’s chief strategist and counselor on philanthropy and alum engagement and is a key member of the president’s senior leadership team. The VPA will lead an experienced and dedicated advancement organization and serve as a visible ambassador to Smith’s extraordinary alum community, strengthening relationships that connect personal legacy to institutional purpose.

The ideal candidate is an inspiring and strategic leader - both visionary and operational - who can elevate Smith’s advancement enterprise, align it with institutional priorities, and position the college for continued excellence in an evolving philanthropic landscape.
** Leadership Opportunity:
Vice President for Advancement
** The VPA serves as the chief advancement officer responsible for championing Smith's alum community and overseeing all fundraising programs while upholding the college's mission. This role requires thoughtful collaboration with college leadership to develop fundraising strategies, respond to emerging opportunities, and position Smith for future success through diplomacy, social intelligence, and collaborative agility.

The VPA will be a partner to President Willie-LeBreton, leading campaign planning efforts to translate the college's strategic plan into the most ambitious comprehensive campaign in Smith's history. The role requires developing and leading a talented team of approximately 75 advancement professionals while cultivating meaningful relationships with volunteer leaders, board members, and the college’s community of more than 54,000 alums. Critical focus areas include optimizing the Salesforce CRM platform for data-driven decision making and creating innovative engagement strategies that connect alums across all generations to support fundraising priorities including financial aid, faculty excellence, and campus infrastructure.
** Qualifications
* * Smith College seeks a VPA who combines proven fundraising expertise with deep commitment to the liberal arts, women's education, and the values that define Smith. The successful candidate will bring strategic vision, operational excellence, and the ability to inspire diverse constituencies around a shared mission. A bachelor's degree is required.

The new VPA will be a collegial and trusted leader who will effectively manage an extensive administrative enterprise; promote and embody the values and mission of the college; inspire and energize supporters; collaborate effectively with other senior leaders; and represent Smith, its academic programs, and its educational mission to internal and external constituencies. They will have the leadership ability to…