AVP - Donor

AVP - Donor Experience

Below you will find details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Applications will be accepted until midnight (Eastern Time Zone) on the ‘Posting End Date’ shown below.

Business

Title:

AVP - Donor Experience
Applications Accepted From Public:
Open to the Public
Special Instructions to Applicants:
This position will remain open until filled. The search firm of Wittkieffer is being utilized to coordinate this search. For full consideration, individuals interested in applying for this position should copy and paste the following link into your browser’s URL to apply:

This position is eligible for the following benefits: medical, vision, dental, basic and supplemental life, winter break closure, paid holidays, educational benefits for you and eligible dependents, sick leave, vacation, and retirement.

The Associate Vice President will serve as the lead strategist for donor engagement, stewardship, and experience, designing and executing a comprehensive plan that cultivates meaningful relationships from initial contact through major and planned gifts. This work will center on fostering lifelong connections and demonstrating the impact of philanthropic involvement. In partnership with the AVP of Development, this role will drive collaborative strategies across major giving, principal giving, and stewardship programs to enhance the overall donor experience and strengthen engagement.

Additionally, the AVP will act as a key liaison to university leadership and volunteer boards, offering strategic counsel and advancing initiatives that support the mission and vision of University Advancement.

This position provides oversight and integration of the Advancement Events, Stewardship and Gift Administration, and Donor Relations and Volunteer Experience teams. The Advancement Events team will lead the creation of high quality, multi‑purpose events across in‑person, hybrid, and online formats. Stewardship and Gift Administration will manage acknowledgment, reporting, and fund accountability, while Donor Relations will focus on deepening engagement with top‑tier donors and volunteers.

The AVP will evaluate priorities across these teams to align with university goals, build internal collaboration with university partners, and ensure the consistent delivery of strategic and personalized donor experiences.

• Assist the Development and Institutional Advancement team with administrative duties and day‑to‑day operations.
• Cultivate relationships with alumni, donors, foundations, and corporations to support the University’s mission.
• Ensure the University has the resources necessary for growth and engage the community to advance its long‑term goals.
• Provide strategic direction and oversight of complex functional areas or multiple departments.
• Formulate policies, strategies, and systems that enhance the University’s position in the competitive marketplace.
• Lead large, complex teams, possibly managing multiple layers of managers.
• Contribute to shaping the long‑term strategic vision of the University, ensuring alignment with overarching goals.
• Supervise at least 2.0 FTE employees or more, with authority to hire, transfer, suspend, promote, manage performance, discharge, assign duties, reward, and discipline employees.
• Oversee multi‑million dollar budgets and manage budget for a major business or academic unit.
• Solve highly complex, university‑wide problems with long‑term consequences.
• Maintain full autonomy in decision‑making, accountable for business outcomes.
• Lead communication with board members, partners, and internal/external stakeholders, responsible for successful implementation of organizational goals.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• 15 or more years of related professional experience.
• 9 or more years of supervisory experience, or equivalent education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

(none listed).

Employees also enjoy a generous benefits package including medical, dental, vision, short‑term disability, life insurance,…