Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development

Vermont Law School•South Royalton, VT

39d•$140,000 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS) seeks a strategic, collaborative, and mission -driven Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development to lead the institution's fundraising and alumni engagement efforts. The Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development serves as the key advisor to the Administration on all matters related to institutional advancement and serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. The Vice President oversees a team of seven advancement professionals in the Offices for Alumni Relations and Development (OARD). OARD is responsible for the annual fund, corporate and foundation relations, major gifts and planned giving along with all alumni communications and alumni engagement events.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of fundraising, alumni and management, experience in higher education or nonprofit organizations, or equivalent preferred.
Proven track record in securing major and leadership gifts and managing comprehensive fundraising campaigns.
Demonstrated success in foundation, corporate, and government fundraising and partner development.
Strong verbal and written communications and presentation skills.
CRM database experience required; Raiser's Edge preferred.
Understanding of, appreciation for, inclusive perspectives, including the ability to work with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds, identities, and viewpoints.
The Vice President must be willing to travel across Vermont and the country for donor and alumni engagement across Vermont and nationally.
85% computer-related work.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
Ability to work independently and within a team.
Capacity to perform all essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive advancement plan that integrates best practices in annual, major, planned, corporate, and foundation giving to achieve institutional goals.
Collaborate with the Administration and the Board of Trustees to establish annual and long-term fundraising objectives and performance metrics.
Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership team.
Maintain close working relationships with internal and external constituents as well as members of the Board of Trustees and Vermont Law and Graduate School Alumni Association board.
Oversee a robust donor and prospect research process and ensure prospect managers and solicitors effectively track donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation, gift acknowledgement, and stewardship. Ensure data integrity in alumni/donor database.
Lead, mentor, and evaluate a high-performing advancement team, fostering professional development, accountability and alumni and community fundraising success.
Manage departmental budgets and ensure effective allocation of resources to support fundraising priorities.
Provide regular reporting to leadership and the Board, using data analytics to measure outcomes and inform strategic adjustments.
Engage trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of VLGS in a culture of philanthropy.
Manage a personal portfolio of top prospects and donors and secure major gifts, capital, and planned gifts, as well as annual gifts and endowment support.
Oversee all fundraising programs, including the annual fund, major and planned giving and campaign initiatives.
Oversee foundation and corporate grant applications and solicitations. Track and report on efficacy of efforts.
Implement comprehensive stewardship programs that recognize, retain, and inspire donors at all levels of giving.
Ensure maintenance of donor confidentiality and adherence to tax and other legal obligations and adherence to school policy.
Strengthen lifelong engagement with alumni through communications, events, and volunteer programs.
Build and sustain relationships with the Alumni Association Board and collaborate on shared goals to increase alumni participation and engagement.
Ensure accurate maintenance of alumni and donor records and database tools to support relationship management, engagement tracking, and data-informed strategy.
Oversee planning of events, including reunions and regional alumni events.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships and programs with VLGS departments, including the Administration, Admissions, Career Services, Student Affairs, the Environmental Law Center, and Center Leadership to integrate advancement goals with institutional priorities.
In collaboration with the Director of Communications, craft key messages to prospective donors and current donors; including annual fundraising appeals, reunion appeals, and special appeals, gift recognition, and special announcements.
Collaborate with the Deans and the Vice President of Community Engagement and Government Relations on government-related initiatives that advance public and governmental relationships and increase overall visibility for the school and its programs.
All other duties as assigned by the Administration.