POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Assistant Vice President for Development and Strategy - University Advancement
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1750
GRADE 49
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Vice President for University Advancement
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Assistant Vice President for Development & Strategy is responsible for providing leadership and direction utilizing industry best practices in the strategic planning and implementation of all programs and activities designed to enhance philanthropic engagement and support of the University. This position oversees major and planned giving, prospect development, foundation relations, strategy development for University Advancement initiatives, and provides administrative direction, facilitation, and oversight of the Women in Philanthropy program for Missouri State University and the MSU Foundation on the MSU Springfield and MSU West Plains campuses; manages numerous programming budgets for all areas of University fundraising and fundraising initiatives; consults with both current and prospective donors regarding applicable technical and gift planning matters; directs campaign activities of the University; provides direction and oversight for the MSU Foundation Board of Trustee committees for Development, Stewardship, and Governance; directs the publication and distribution of various development publications; and propels the relationships with MSU Deans’ and faculty members related to college initiatives for fundraising. This position assists the Vice President for University Advancement and the Board of Trustees of the Missouri State University Foundation in conducting other development related business. Additionally, this role, collaborates with the Vice President of University Advancement for guiding the division’s administrative functions, such as job descriptions, postings, guidelines, variable compensation and facilitates training and professional development opportunities for all University Advancement staff to achieve identified goals utilizing metric-based measurements and planning, where possible. The position serves as the primary lead for development and implementation of the MSU Foundation’s Long Range Plan, as well as the University Advancement Variable Compensation program, both in collaboration with the Vice President of University Advancement.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Marketing or a related field is required. A Master's degree is preferred. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements.
Experience: At least five or more years of demonstrated successful fundraising and development experience is required, preferably in higher education.
Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills are required. A proven record of success and experience in major gift fund raising is required, as is the ability to project a strong positive image of the University through personal interaction with donors, alumni and friends. Demonstrated administrative and organizational skills such as strategic planning, setting deadlines, and evaluating progress; a demonstrated ability to organize, motivate, and lead staff and volunteers on multiple campuses and communities; the ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required. Computer literacy, particularly related to word processing and database management is preferred.
Other: The scope of the position often requires evening and weekend work.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides leadership, direction, and focus to the Offices of Development on the MSU Springfield and MSU West Plains campuses, utilizing industry best practices and standards, and guides the staff and many programs administered by the office through the development and implementation of strategies to meet long and short-range goals and objectives in the areas of development, fundraising, and engagement of donors. The incumbent manages numerous program budgets and directs and motivates professional, support, and student staff members on both campuses, thus ensuring that their work activities are integrated with and supportive of the total development strategic plan.
2. Directs the administrative functions for development, including recruitment, supervision, mentoring, and fundraising activities of the Office for the Programs of Major Gifts, Planned Giving, Foundation Relations, and Prospect Management and Research.
3. With the Vice President of University Advancement, directs the Campaign and Advancement division’s development and fundraising strategy, planning, and communications.
4. Facilitates the collaboration process with advancement division colleagues, University Deans, faculty, unit directors, administration, and volunteers to identify and solicit University and academic unit priorities to seek private gift support for the MSU Springfield and MSU West Plains campuses.
5. Provides for current and long-range needs of the University by guiding staff who supervise fundraising programs for major gifts, planned and deferred gifts, foundation relations, and special campaigns.
6. In collaboration with the Executive Director of Major & Planned Giving and the Director of Prospect Development & Research, identifies a stable pool of gift prospects for future giving by cultivating and soliciting prospective donors, as well as current donors. Additionally, approves the addition or deletion of prospects from each staff member’s prospect portfolio throughout University Advancement.
7. Directs and manages the traffic flow and proper documentation of gifts for major, planned, corporate, and foundation gifts for University Advancement.
8. Provides direction and staff leadership to the MSU Foundation Board of Trustee committees, specifically the development, stewardship, and governance committees, while working with the Chairs of each committee to develop/define a Charter and list of duties for each committee.
9. Manages a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects for both the MSU Springfield and the MSU West Plains campuses and provides coaching and mentoring to development team members, as needed, for the successful management of their major and principal gift portfolios and programs.
10. Oversees the development, implementation, and direction of a robust and successful Women in Philanthropy program, in collaboration with the Vice President of University Advancement, an outside consultant, and University Leadership. Develops a timeline for the program’s maturity and progress, as well as a strategic plan with measurable goals and objectives for the program at its various stages. Recruits and collaborates with the prospects who will become the advisory group and driving force of this initiative to determine priorities and sustainability for such a program.
11. Facilitates charitable giving opportunities to meet the needs of donors and the University by remaining current and proficient on technical and tax code matters affecting donors and charitable giving, and by suggesting options for donors to pursue with financial and planning professionals.
12. In collaboration with the Executive Director of Major & Planned Giving, works with the Executive Director of Alumni Relations to develop and implement programs fostering alumni involvement with the University and to encourage meaningful and productive alumni participation on both campuses.
13. Provides the strategy and hands-on direction for the re-development and ongoing workings of an MSU West Plains development ambassadors committee.
14. Ensures that volunteer members who serve on the Board of Trustees of the Missouri State University Foundation have a positive experience by serving as a liaison to the Development and Planned Giving Committees and by working with the Board in conducting other development-related activities, as directed by the Vice President for University Advancement.
15. Provides administrative oversight and quality control of major donor related publications, printed collateral materials, and electronic communications and solicitations to assure a positive image of the university to support the fundraising goals of the Office of Development.
16. Oversees the University Advancement unit’s human resources needs, including job postings, committee assignments, and developing unit policies and procedures for onboarding new employees in accordance with University guidelines. With University Advancement unit leaders, hires, trains, guides and assists in the ongoing professional development of University Advancement staff to achieve goals and facilitate metric-based planning, where possible.
17. Facilitates a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
18. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as directed by the supervisor.
19. Contributes to the overall success of the Office of Development and University Advancement by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Assistant Vice President for Development & Strategy is supervised by the Vice President for University Advancement and supervises the Executive Director of Major & Planned Giving, the Executive Director of Prospect Development, the Senior Director of Development, the Director of Development & Annual Giving – West Plains, an Administrative Assistant III, and other professional and support staff in the office of development.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
MAY 2022
