Assistant Vice President for Advancement Strategy (80152)

IONA UNIVERSITY•City of New Rochelle, NY

8d•$130,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement, the Assistant Vice President for Advancement Strategy (AVP) serves as a senior member of the Iona University Advancement team. The AVP will partner with the VP and other University leadership to design and implement systems and processes aimed at increasing philanthropic support of Iona. The AVP will also build and manage a medium sized portfolio of donors with capacity to make commitments of $75,000 or above.

Requirements

Minimum of 10 years of experience managing a major gift portfolio and leading fundraising initiatives within a high-functioning organization of philanthropy.
Demonstrated success closing gifts of $75,000 and above; and stewarding those contributors who have made major gifts towards their next commitment.
Proven ability to increase a major donor base through great discovery and qualification work; both within own portfolio and through implementing qualification strategies across a team.
Experience evaluating events and alumni engagement initiatives, investing in those that are effective and discontinuing or revising those that are not.
Deep understanding of prospect mapping and relationship building with prospects, aimed at closing major gifts.
Ability to understand and communicate clearly the current priorities of the University to donors throughout the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship process.
Knowledge and experience cultivating and closing major gifts from specific affinity groups, including but not limited to parents of current students, the Performing Arts, and in support of Athletics.
Understanding of fundraising accountability metrics implementation, specifically lead and lag measure goal setting, and a desire to help drive accountability measures within UA.
Proven ability to set priorities, be innovative, and challenge the status quo.
Demonstrates a positive energy, maturity and a senior presence, and is a great teammate.

Nice To Haves

Institutions of higher education a plus.
A familiarity with the mission, profile, and history of Iona University, and an understanding of fundraising at a Catholic institution of higher education.
Willingness to mentor other Iona fundraisers and team members on these strategies.

Responsibilities

Plan and implement fundraising strategies, with an emphasis on identifying and cultivating the next generation of major donors to Iona University.
Provide leadership and direction, fostering a positive culture rooted in service, persistence, and collaboration.
Build and manage a portfolio of 40 to 50 prospects with capacity to make commitments of $75,000 and above.
Meet and exceed accountability measures in annual qualifications, solicitations, meetings, and dollars raised.
Serve as a subject matter expert and strategic partner driving initiatives and innovation aimed at increased giving to Iona University, specifically at the major gift level.
Identify and implement accountability metrics across the team.
Through continuous evaluation, refine these measures as aligned with current priorities of University Advancement.
Oversee and optimize certain functional areas of the Advancement operation, such as prospect research and stewardship.
Support the Alumni Engagement team in the planning and execution of key annual initiatives, such as Homecoming Weekend and other hallmark events.
Evaluate these events seeking opportunities to improve effectiveness and return.
Identify areas of opportunity where collaboration across campus verticals, or where strategic investment, could lead to increased philanthropy.
Other duties as assigned.