Vice President for Advancement & External Affairs (78241)

IONA UNIVERSITY • City of New Rochelle, NY

2d • $225,000 - $275,000

About The Position

Iona University invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs. Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President serves as the University’s chief development officer and provides visionary leadership, strategic direction, and entrepreneurial management for the Office of Advancement and External Affairs. Working closely with the President, the Board of Trustees, and the University’s senior leadership team, the Vice President will help advance Iona’s mission and long-term strategic vision. Iona seeks a dynamic, innovative, and results-driven advancement leader who will elevate the University’s philanthropic impact and build new levels of support to fulfill its ambitions for the future. The successful candidate will demonstrate a distinguished record of leadership and achievement in advancement, with proven success in campaign planning and execution, major and principal gift solicitation, and building high-performing advancement programs. This individual must be a visible leader both on and off campus and possess exceptional relationship-building abilities with donors, alumni, trustees, and community partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible fundraising and development experience within comprehensive advancement programs.
• Leadership experience within higher education advancement strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising and comprehensive campaign leadership.

Nice To Haves

• A creative and strategic leader with significant management experience and an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Broad knowledge of advancement operations, including development, alumni engagement, communications, and marketing.
• A proven fundraiser with demonstrated success leading major fundraising initiatives and managing experienced development teams.
• Understanding of budgets, endowments, and investment strategies, with the ability to engage in financial discussions related to campaigns and institutional operations.
• An excellent communicator with a confident public presence and exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Ability to articulate Iona University’s mission, values, and religious affiliation while engaging diverse constituencies with authenticity and energy.
• A collaborative leader who builds strong partnerships across admissions, athletics, academics, and other university departments.
• Awareness of key issues impacting higher education, including affordability, technology, distance learning, sustainability, and educational quality.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the University’s chief development officer, leading all fundraising and advancement initiatives.
• Provide strategic leadership for advancement, alumni engagement, communications, and marketing efforts.
• Work closely with the President and Board of Trustees to develop and execute fundraising strategies aligned with institutional priorities.
• Lead the planning and execution of major and comprehensive fundraising campaigns.
• Cultivate and solicit major and principal gifts while strengthening relationships with alumni, donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Manage and develop a high-performing advancement team while fostering collaboration across the University.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for Iona University, representing the institution with donors, alumni, community leaders, and external partners.

Benefits

• Iona offers a comprehensive benefits package to all full-time employees that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability; employee assistance program (EAP); tuition remission; and generous time off.

What This Job Offers

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