Vice President for Advancement and Strategy

University of Louisiana at Lafayette•Lafayette, LA

About The Position

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, an R1 national research university, seeks an experienced, collaborative, and mission-aligned Vice President for Advancement & Strategy (VPAS) to lead the University’s external partnerships, institutional brand, and revenue-generating initiatives. Reporting directly to the President and serving on the President’s Cabinet, the VPAS is responsible for converting the University’s academic, research, innovation, and brand strengths into measurable economic impact, private investment, philanthropic support, and sustained revenue growth. This role integrates advancement, economic development, industry partnerships, communications and marketing, and alumni affairs under a single strategic leader. The VPAS serves as the University’s chief convener with industry, investors, alumni, and community leaders, ensuring alignment between strategy, execution, and outcomes.

Requirements

Master’s degree required; terminal degree preferred.
Senior leadership experience in higher education, economic development, innovation, industry, government, or a related field.
Demonstrated success in strategic planning, delivering measurable outcomes through partnerships, and external engagement.
Strong strategic planning, financial, negotiation, and strategic execution skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with R1 research universities, economic development and innovation ecosystems.
Track record in public-private partnerships, capital projects, and revenue-generating initiatives.
Established relationships with industry, investors, philanthropic partners, and community leaders.

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior adviser to the President on university strategy, advancement strategy, external positioning, partnership opportunities, and revenue-generating initiatives.
Lead university-wide strategic planning initiatives and facilitate cross-functional collaboration among academic, research, finance, advancement, communications, athletics, alumni, and external partners.
Lead an integrated advancement and strategy portfolio that supports the President’s priorities and University-wide goals.
Work in close coordination with the CEO of the University Foundation, development officers, and the advancement team to align priorities with University strategy.
Support the cultivation of corporate, foundation, and individual donors for major University priorities.
Connect economic development initiatives, industry partnerships, alumni engagement, and strategic priorities with major gifts, corporate giving, foundation support, and campaign objectives.
Provide executive oversight of the Office of Communications & Marketing through the Chief Communications Officer.
Ensure a cohesive institutional brand narrative aligned with the University’s mission, strategy, research strengths, student experience, alumni pride, and regional role.
Position the University as a leading institution in research, innovation, entrepreneurship, economic development, student success, and community partnership.
Ensure communications and marketing strategies support philanthropy, alumni pride, partnership development, enrollment strength, reputation, and presidential priorities.
Actively pursue revenue opportunities related to licensing, brand partnerships, and sponsorships.
Provide executive oversight of Alumni Affairs through the Executive Director of Alumni Affairs.
Strengthen engagement by mobilizing alumni as donors, partners, investors, advocates, mentors, ambassadors, and supporters of university priorities.
Align alumni programming with advancement strategy, institutional priorities, economic development opportunities, and external partnerships.
Support engagement with federal, state, and local agencies in coordination with the President and designated government relations offices.
Advance select agency partnerships when directly tied to major initiatives or investments.
Align and articulate the University’s academic, research, innovation, and brand strengths into measurable economic impact, private investment, philanthropic support, and sustained revenue growth.
Advance innovation districts, research parks, incubators, accelerators, and place-based development initiatives.
Partner with regional and statewide economic development organizations to attract, retain, and grow high-value employers and strategic partners.
Identify, develop, and execute revenue strategies including but not limited to: public-private partnerships, leases, service agreements, sponsorships, and licensing.
Provide strategic support to the Office of Finance and Administration’s revenue initiatives with Auxiliary and campus units, including property management, KRVS, Hilliard Museum, UL Press, etc.
Support capital projects that generate long-term institutional returns and advance University priorities.
Collaborate with Finance, Advancement, Research, Legal, and campus leadership to ensure disciplined execution, risk management, and financial stewardship.
Serve on the President’s Cabinet.
Collaborate closely with Academic Affairs, Research & Innovation, Finance, Student Success, Athletics, and Advancement.
Lead and develop high-performing teams across economic development, partnerships, communications, and alumni engagement.
Ensure clear coordination across units whose work affects philanthropy, reputation, revenue, partnerships, alumni relations, economic development, and presidential priorities.
Represent the University with professionalism, credibility, and strategic clarity among donors, alumni, industry leaders, public officials, community partners, and institutional stakeholders.