Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement, Development Outreach

University of Arkansas System • Fayetteville, AR

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) for Advancement – Development Outreach, in coordination with the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, is a senior leadership role responsible for planning, executing, and managing a comprehensive advancement strategy that supports the mission and strategic philanthropic priorities of the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville. The AVC provides leadership and strategic oversight for major, principal, and transformational giving efforts across the university. Working collaboratively with institutional leadership, academic units, and external stakeholders, the AVC strengthens philanthropic support and fosters purposeful alignment among colleges, schools, units and university-wide initiatives to advance institutional priorities and campaign objectives.

Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement – Development Outreach has three key areas of responsibility:

Strategic Leadership

* Partner with the Vice Chancellor to develop and implement a comprehensive advancement strategy aligned with institutional priorities and campaign objectives. Provide leadership in organizational planning, campaign readiness, goal setting, budget development, performance management, and advancement operations.
* Utilize data analytics, portfolio strategy, and fundraising metrics to inform decision-making, measure effectiveness, and drive continuous improvement across the division. Promote the effective use of advancement technologies, data systems, and emerging tools to strengthen fundraising performance, operational effectiveness, collaboration, and strategic decision-making across the division.
* Lead organizational effectiveness initiatives that strengthen fundraising performance, accountability systems, prospect management practices, and operational alignment across advancement units and with the major gift officers.
* Support the development and implementation of advancement policies, ethical standards, guiding principles, and accountability practices that reinforce a collaborative, high-performing, and donor-centered culture.

Fundraising and Development

* Provide leadership, strategic direction, and performance oversight for development officers and fundraising programs to ensure alignment with university fundraising goals, campaign priorities, and institutional objectives.
* Advise and support university leadership, academic units, and development officers in strategies related to the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major, principal, and transformational gift prospects.
* Supervise, mentor, and develop Development Outreach staff while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, trust, and high performance. Lead with transparency, consistency, and professionalism in ways that build credibility, strengthen engagement, and support teams through organizational growth and change.
* Lead efforts to strengthen portfolio strategy, prospect movement, donor engagement practices, and fundraising accountability across the division while helping advance emerging philanthropic opportunities and strategic areas of fundraising growth.
* Serve as a strategic advisor to the Vice Chancellor and university leadership regarding fundraising strategy, donor engagement, campaign execution, advancement planning.

Team Leadership and Management

* Supervise, mentor, and develop Development Outreach staff while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and high performance. Design and lead comprehensive professional development, training, and performance coaching initiatives that strengthen fundraising effectiveness, strategic planning, portfolio management, and donor engagement practices.
* Promote consistent advancement practices, expectations, and fundraising standards across colleges, schools, and administrative units in partnership with academic and university leadership.
* Provide ongoing evaluation, coaching, and performance feedback to development officers and advancement leaders to support professional growth and achievement of fundraising objectives. Manage annual performance evaluation in consultation with college, school, unit leadership and the Vice Chancellor for Advancement.
* Build and sustain a high-performing advancement organization focused on philanthropic excellence, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Additional Responsibilities

* Serve as a member of the Advancement Division Leadership Team.
* Assist in campaign planning, execution, and strategic advancement initiatives.
* Collaborate with deans, vice chancellors, and university leadership to align philanthropic strategies with institutional priorities.
* Assist in the preparation and presentation of advancement-related reports, planning documents, and strategic communications.
* Deliver presentations to internal and external stakeholders as requested.
* Perform other duties as assigned.

Attendance

* Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty.
* The ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• At least ten years of fundraising experience at a Senior Director level or above within higher education, the nonprofit sector or other relevant fundraising experience
• At least ten years of supervisory experience leading major giving teams
• At least eight years of direct experience securing seven-figure gifts or greater
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, fundraising performance management, and organizational leadership
• In-depth familiarity with advancement CRM systems, prospect management, and data-driven fundraising strategies
• Proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• Ten years of experience leading comprehensive major giving programs and teams, preferably in higher education
• Ten years of experience collaborating with deans, vice chancellors, and senior institutional leadership to achieve philanthropic goals and objectives
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop high-performing teams while building trust, fostering collaboration, and guiding organizations through growth and change.
• Demonstrated success leading fundraising campaigns and advancement initiatives
• Experience designing and implementing professional development and fundraising training programs
• Graduate of the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and manage a comprehensive advancement strategy.
• Provide leadership and strategic oversight for major, principal, and transformational giving efforts.
• Strengthen philanthropic support and foster purposeful alignment among colleges, schools, units and university-wide initiatives.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive advancement strategy aligned with institutional priorities and campaign objectives.
• Provide leadership in organizational planning, campaign readiness, goal setting, budget development, performance management, and advancement operations.
• Utilize data analytics, portfolio strategy, and fundraising metrics to inform decision-making, measure effectiveness, and drive continuous improvement.
• Promote the effective use of advancement technologies, data systems, and emerging tools.
• Lead organizational effectiveness initiatives that strengthen fundraising performance, accountability systems, prospect management practices, and operational alignment.
• Support the development and implementation of advancement policies, ethical standards, guiding principles, and accountability practices.
• Provide leadership, strategic direction, and performance oversight for development officers and fundraising programs.
• Advise and support university leadership, academic units, and development officers in strategies related to the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major, principal, and transformational gift prospects.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop Development Outreach staff.
• Lead efforts to strengthen portfolio strategy, prospect movement, donor engagement practices, and fundraising accountability.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Vice Chancellor and university leadership regarding fundraising strategy, donor engagement, campaign execution, advancement planning.
• Design and lead comprehensive professional development, training, and performance coaching initiatives.
• Promote consistent advancement practices, expectations, and fundraising standards across colleges, schools, and administrative units.
• Provide ongoing evaluation, coaching, and performance feedback to development officers and advancement leaders.
• Manage annual performance evaluation in consultation with college, school, unit leadership and the Vice Chancellor for Advancement.
• Build and sustain a high-performing advancement organization focused on philanthropic excellence, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a member of the Advancement Division Leadership Team.
• Assist in campaign planning, execution, and strategic advancement initiatives.
• Collaborate with deans, vice chancellors, and university leadership to align philanthropic strategies with institutional priorities.
• Assist in the preparation and presentation of advancement-related reports, planning documents, and strategic communications.
• Deliver presentations to internal and external stakeholders as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance.
• Create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Benefits

• University contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• Immediate leave accrual
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior