VICE PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT, Development and Alumni Relations

Our Mission

We in Boston University Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BUs global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we have builtand are continuing to buildan outstanding team of dynamic, mission-driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs. Where its not just about a job, but a career and a community.

Now, our Development team is looking for a Vice President who will manage a portfolio of schools and programs in their direct fundraising efforts as well as manage a large team of senior fundraisers and development and alumni relation staff among BUs 17 schools and colleges.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, the Vice President (VP) for development will work closely with the deans, and development and alumni relations officers, to ensure that the deans and development officers are efficiently, effectively and productively engaging in their fundraising work, assuring that each school and colleges top prospects are effectively being cultivated, solicited and stewarded.

In addition to these responsibilities, the Vice President will actively carry a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects. The VP will lead a large, diverse team that currently includes oversight of the school-based fundraisers, special initiatives, major gifts, foundation relations, and potentially others as the division grows. The following departments report to the VP: School Development (17 schools and colleges and development and alumni relations staff therein); Special Initiatives, Foundation Relations, and Major Gifts. This includes 6 direct reports and an additional 101 staff for a total of 107 FTEs. The VP will also be a key influencer and strategist across the division with other senior staff in the areas of Planned Giving, Principal Gifts, and International.

The Vice President will have the opportunity to work with the Senior Vice President to build and train the next generation of senior development officers, and to design the structure and processes best suited to raising funds for the university they have become within the last decade. Perhaps most importantly, she or he will help set the course of the university for the foreseeable future. This position will serve on the DAR leadership team in an effort to maintain and improve the efficiency of Development and Alumni Relations' work while continuing to advance an already excellent donor experience.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning and Management: Provide professional leadership and support to the SVP and Deans and manage the following: School Development (17 schools and colleges and development and alumni relations staff therein); Special Initiatives, Foundation Relations, and Major Gifts. This includes 6 direct reports and an additional 72 staff for a total of 78 FTEs. The VP will also be a key influencer and strategist across the division with other senior staff in the areas of Planned Giving, Principal Gifts, and International.

• Fundraising: Maintain active portfolio of major and principal giving prospects for frontline fundraising and staff Deans and other senior University leaders, including the President, on prospect strategy and visits.

• Campaign Planning: Work with the Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations on the conclusion of the Choose to Be Great campaign and into the next campaign. Assist with the regular creation and preparation of presentations to the Board of Trustees regarding the campaign strategy. Coordinate participation of key donors, trustees, and development staff in the planning process.

• Prospect and volunteer oversight: Oversee and enhance the participation of Deans, faculty, administration, trustees, volunteers, and development staff in understanding and achieving fundraising objectives.

• Budget, Human Resources, and Operations: Oversee the management of the budgets, personnel and facilities issues for all direct reporting areas.

  Desired Qualities and Capacities

  The Vice President will first and foremost possess the attributes of a seasoned fundraiser. He or she will be able to demonstrate a proven track record of success in development, with an acute sense of strategy at the individual donor level.

  The Vice President will have the compelling personal qualities of integrity, outstanding communications skills especially as characterized by the ability to listen carefully exceptional judgment and taste, and an entrepreneurial nature. He or she will be a superb strategist, able to embrace the mission of the university and effectively articulate it with passion in multiple settings.

  At the same time, the Vice President will demonstrate expertise in organizing a complex operation for success. The selected candidate will have experience analyzing and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of diverse units within organizations, a strong sense of both technical and functional best practices nationally, and the ability to motivate teams to work in new and innovative ways toward ambitious goals.

Required Skills

A cover letter is required for consideration.

• Bachelors degree, with an advanced degree preferred.

• A minimum of 10 years of experience and success in university advancement, preferably with a significant portion of experience in development and alumni relations at a large public research university;

• A solid track record of success in coaching and staffing key leadership, including presidents, provosts, trustees, deans and other key volunteers;

• Experience in planning, implementing and managing large comprehensive campaigns;

• Proven and consistent ability to close on principal gift solicitations (seven-figures and above);

• The ability to think and act strategically on at least three levels institutionally as a member of the executive management team, departmentally as leader of a complex, matrix division, and individually as a major and principal gift fund raiser;

• Proven management and administrative skills, as demonstrated by experience in successfully leading a large staff. Must be committed to DAR and Boston Universitys culture of diversity, equity and inclusion and be a leader in sustaining the divisions track record of success as an advancement shop of choice with a collegial and collaborative culture.

• Considerable analytical skills and the ability to translate data and analysis into a compelling case for action, including measuring performance and ROI. Experience managing a large departmental budget required.

• Superior communication skills;

• The ability to work collaboratively, engage and inspire others, and develop a rapport with many diverse people and groups, including faculty, staff, students and alumni;

• The ability to build a local network of relationships with key constituents;

• The passion to assist the Senior Vice President and President in enhancing the universitys reputation and resources;

• A strong work ethic and a positive can do attitude;

• A sense of humor

• Extensive travel, nights and weekends required.

• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills;

  But thats not all were looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect, because we value every members contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.

• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.

• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.

• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.

• Continuous growth and improvement, both as individuals and as a team.

• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

  If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaignand maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional we encourage you to apply. If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well.

  To learn more about Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the DAR Talent website: {apply below}

  Please note all newly hired staff and faculty, will need to be in compliance with Boston Universitys COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement ({apply below} within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption (instructions ({apply below} ). For further information on the Universitys response to COVID-19, please visit the Back2BU site ({apply below} .

  We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

  If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at

  617-353-6474
  .

Required Experience