Vice President, Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement in Kent

Physical Location: Kent Campus - Kent, Ohio

Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Basic Function: Serve as executive officer and provide overall leadership for the Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (DPAE). Reports to the President and serves as a member of the President's Cabinet.

Examples of Duties: Duties/essential functions may include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Act as Chief Philanthropy Officer and provide leadership university-wide for all development initiatives.
• Propose and oversee the execution of strategic fundraising campaigns.
• Lead in the development of university policy for managing and reporting philanthropic activity according to highest association standards.
• Lead planning, and execution of annual and multi-year strategies and comprehensive campaigns.
• Work closely with the President on cultivation and stewardship of donors.
• Lead in the development of university policy guidelines for implementation with college and campus leaders on levels of giving and recognition.
• Oversee all fundraising campaigns.
• Work with campaign chair, campaign steering committee(s), Foundation Board and deans on strategy, execution, reporting and volunteer involvement.
• Oversee alumni engagement.
• Develop strategies to communicate and engage university alumni.
• Manage a growth campaign in alumni involvement and alumni giving.
• Oversee the volunteer management program.
• Work in partnership with the Kent State University Foundation staff and Board of Directors to further philanthropy at the university.
• Establish a strategy for corporate philanthropy.
• Work with academic leaders to promote and grow corporate philanthropy.
• Oversee the university’s relationship with national and regional foundations.
• Work with academic leaders to promote and grow multi-discipline and multi-organization collaborations.
• Serve as a primary liaison to the Board of Trustees for the External Relations and Philanthropy Committee; provide periodic updates to the External Relations and Philanthropy Committee and other committees/meetings.
• Provide strategic direction for fundraising and donor relations events to ensure alignment with institutional priorities, philanthropic strategy, donor stewardship, and alumni engagement goals.
• Oversee the planning and execution of fundraising and donor relations events.
• May establish and manage a portfolio of leadership gifts from a few select donors.
• Serve on various department, division, and university committees; represent the Division on appropriate university bodies, committees, councils, etc.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. A minimum of 10 years progressively responsible experience in advancement, including at least five years in fundraising for a large, complex organization and experience with comprehensive campaigns including strategy, volunteer leadership, and strategic planning.

License/Certification:

Knowledge Of:

• Donor relations management strategies and campaign planning
• Association standards and acceptable financial management practices
• Laws and regulations related to fund-raising and marketing
• Finance and budgeting including investment management strategies

Skill In:

• Written and interpersonal communication
• Time management and organization of projects
• Cultivating, soliciting and stewarding individual donors at the major and principal gifts levels

Ability To:

• Solicit and manage a personal portfolio of leadership gifts
• Provide leadership and direction to direct reports and coordinate team activity among central development office, college-assigned and campus-assigned development staff
• Influence leaders in strategy and execution of college or campus plans
• Inspire high-net-worth individuals to provide significant financial support to the institution
• Motivate staff to keep them engaged, energized and focused on results
• Stay current with changes in laws and regulations as they pertain to giving

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements: None

Additional Information: Kent State University is committed to creating a community that is culturally and intellectually diverse and to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that respect differences, and are inclusive, welcoming, respectful and kind.

The intent of this description is to illustrate the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and should not be interpreted to describe all the specific duties and responsibilities that may be required in any particular position. Directly related experience/education beyond the minimum stated may be substituted where appropriate at the discretion of the Appointing Authority. Kent State University reserves the right to revise or change job duties, job hours, and responsibilities.

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