Job Summary
The Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement provides strategic leadership for frontline fundraising efforts. This individual will maintain a portfolio of major gift prospects while coaching and supporting frontline fundraisers in strategy development, donor engagement, and solicitation planning. This position reports to the Vice President for Advancement.
This position works on-site in Jackson, MS with regular office hours from 8:00am – 4:30pm with a one-hour unpaid lunch break. Evening, weekend work and regular travel are required to support fundraising efforts, major events, and development initiatives.
Job Duties
- Works with the President, IA Vice President, other Executive Staff, and Deans to define fund raising priorities and create strategic campaign(s) designed to advance the College’s strategic plan and address priority needs.
- Provides a high level of support for the development activities of the President, Trustees, Vice President for IA, and other senior staff, particularly in the areas of major gift cultivation, solicitation, and recognition strategies.
- Hires, trains, inspires and evaluates professional and support staff, in consultation with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
- Creates and executes short- and long-term fundraising plans for major gift prospects in conversation with college leaders and staff.
- Supervises a team of frontline fundraisers and partners closely with advancement services, alumni engagement, and communications staff.
- Sets activity and solicitation goals for fundraisers and evaluates prospect development initiatives.
- Tracks staff progress and determines appropriate metrics for evaluation.
- Provides leadership in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors; including individuals, foundations, and corporations.
- Leads and supervises the Annual Giving program.
- Develops and manages a portfolio of 50 to 75 high-capacity prospects.
- Represents the college at public functions and events, including social and professional gatherings.
- Represents the division in the absence of the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
- Adheres to the policies and procedures established by Millsaps College and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethics.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s preferred.
- 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, development, and organizational leadership.
- Demonstrated experience overseeing annual giving, major gifts, planned giving and corporate and foundation relations programs, including strategy development and performance management.
- Demonstrated success in leading teams to meet ambitious fundraising goals.
- Demonstrated experience in marketing, persuasive writing, working directly with volunteers and personal correspondence with donors.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
- Strong work ethic, personal integrity, excellent communication skills, strategic thinking, and supervisory/leadership capabilities.
- Strong knowledge of donor-centered fundraising, gift planning vehicles, and complex gift structures. Comprehensive capital campaign experience.
- Experience with advancement CRM systems (Raisers Edge, Salesforce, etc.) and analytics platforms.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
Physical & Availability Requirements
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Manual dexterity needed for keyboarding and other repetitive tasks.
- Must be able to lift and move up to 15 pounds without assistance.
Application Procedure
Interested candidates should email a copy of their resume and a letter of interest to [email protected]. No phone calls please.