Vice President for University Advancement

Miami University Alumni Association•Oxford, OH

2d•$450,000 - $500,000

About The Position

Vice President for University Advancement THE SEARCH Miami University seeks a strategic, experienced and innovative advancement professional as its next Vice President for University Advancement to lead the University’s fundraising and alumni relations efforts and to provide strategic vision and leadership as the University strengthens its image as a nationally known and respected, student-centered public university. This collegial leader will serve as a vital member of the President’s Executive Cabinet, partnering with other university leaders, along with alumni, university supporters, students, faculty, and staff, in advancing and sustaining the University through cutting-edge research, data analytics and practice. Miami University is a highly regarded and distinctive public institution of higher education that is recognized for outstanding undergraduate education and selective graduate and research programs. The University is an increasingly national constituency, and the position is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced, visionary leader to help grow, enhance, and advance Miami University. With more than 16,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students at its Oxford campus, Miami University blends the breadth of a large institution with the personal attention typically found at smaller colleges. Its graduate programs enrich and complement the undergraduate experience, fostering a cohesive academic community. Beyond Oxford, Miami’s two regional campuses, Miami Online, and the Voice of America Learning Center serve an additional 3,500 students, expanding access and opportunity for both traditional and non-traditional learners. The university’s Dolibois European Center in Luxembourg further extends this reach, offering students a distinctive, immersive study abroad experience. Miami’s unwavering commitment to teaching and learning is demonstrated in the University’s record of exceptional retention and graduation rates, as well as its consistently strong and engaged alumni community. Miami encourages and supports its students’ intellectual depth and curiosity, the importance of personal values as a measure of character, and a commitment to life-long learning in a global environment. Further, Miami creates an environment where students engage actively in service and develop strong leadership, interpersonal, and civic skills. Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President for University Advancement is a member of the President’s Executive Cabinet. The next Vice President will be responsible for strengthening the University’s advancement, development and alumni relations programs and ensuring the growth of Miami’s overall philanthropic capacity. Working closely with the President, Deans, senior staff, faculty, and key stakeholders throughout the Miami community, the Vice President will strengthen a culture of philanthropy that reflects the time-honored traditions of the University. The Vice President will join the Miami University community at an exciting time as it enters the final stage of its $1 billion capital campaign, The Power of Will. With $800 million raised to date, the University is enjoying the fruits of this effort across campus, including scholarships, professorships and endowed chairs, program enhancements, and the transformative, state-of-the-art McVey Data Science building.

Requirements

At least ten years of progressively responsible fundraising and managerial experience in advancement, preferably in higher education, with experience in a campaign environment.
Possess an acute understanding of the current higher education landscape.
Bachelor's degree with an advanced degree or study preferred.
Ability to travel throughout the United States and abroad.
Unquestionable integrity, sound judgment, and the ability to model empathy, transparency, and accountability.
Credibility and trustworthiness, with a capacity to set high standards and empower others.
The desire to play a meaningful role in the life of Miami University and its extended community and to share in the University’s commitment to undergraduate liberal arts and graduate education and instruction, high academic standards, and scholarly achievement.
Demonstrated ability and experience building upon an existing development program, including individual and institutional philanthropy, in such a way that the increased philanthropic revenue becomes transformative for an organization. Success in increasing the effectiveness of a development program and staff through established objectives and performance standards.
Fundraising and managerial experience in advancement in a campaign environment.
Demonstrated ability to enhance fundraising performance through data analytics, strategic goal setting, and measurable outcomes.
Personal success in cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major individual and institutional donors at seven-, eight- and nine- figure levels. The ability to inspire high net worth individuals and major foundations to financial leadership.
Strong understanding of alumni engagement strategies.
Demonstrated ability to enhance fundraising performance through data analytics, strategic goal setting, and measurable outcomes.
Superior strategic skills and a holistic understanding of all aspects of fundraising, alumni relations, stewardship, volunteer leadership and donor relations.
The intellectual depth, maturity and confidence required to effectively engage and garner the trust of the President, Cabinet, Deans, senior staff and key volunteers in the cultivation and solicitation of key prospects.
A track record of success leading a large development operation; an approach to management that brings out the best in staff and yields pride, ownership, and a sense of team effort. A keen eye for data analysis, operational efficiency and optimal use of resources; the ability to plan, monitor, and tightly manage a budget.
Experience working with and supporting a board and board committees.
Superlative interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work well with people at all levels of an organization, across a diverse range of education and social backgrounds, and to demonstrate an honest respect for each individual.
An appreciation for and ability to articulate eloquently the academic and civic missions of Miami University, including its history and importance in the state and national academic landscape.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
The intellectual depth and data skills necessary to understand and translate academic, technical, and other information for a variety of audiences, crisply and concisely.
Honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, and perspective; a very strong work ethic, supported by commitment and follow-through.
The confidence and knowledge required to advance and defend ideas and programs in an environment that respects conviction but demands analytical rigor; a love of intellectual exchange and lively dialogue.
A level of comfort working with ambiguity, a humble approach, and an outgoing and positive personality.
Understanding of foundation operations and finance.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive, forward-looking advancement strategy aligned with Miami’s mission and new strategic plan.
Collaborate with senior members of the development staff to surpass its $1 billion goal and sustain $100 million production on an annual basis.
Apply data-driven techniques to assess the fundraising potential of the University and craft a sophisticated multi-year fundraising strategy which will result in sustainable long-term growth in unrestricted, restricted and endowment funds, including future campaign activities.
Foster an environment that rewards new ideas and risk-taking, builds confidence, and encourages teamwork; celebrate current achievements and set clear expectations for future success.
Strengthen existing donor relationships and systematically identify, cultivate, solicit and steward new individual and institutional donors capable of making significant contributions to Miami. Educate potential and existing donors about the University’s mission and the unique role it plays in Ohio and in higher education generally. Develop specific strategies and tailored cases for support.
Identify new ways to broaden the reach of alumni relations activities to the University’s alumni and more fully integrate these activities into the overall advancement efforts. Find opportunities to increase or improve already impressive alumni participation rates in philanthropy, giving levels, and volunteerism.
Partner with the President, Provost, Cabinet, Deans, senior staff, faculty, alumni leadership and other key volunteers, utilizing their time and talents to increasingly engage, cultivate and solicit major donors and prospects.
Guide and support the President in his role as chief spokesperson and fundraiser, serving as an adviser and co-strategist on cultivating and soliciting transformative gifts. Similarly guide and support members of the President’s Executive Cabinet, Deans, senior staff and other campus leaders in campaign, development and alumni relations activities.
Strategically position the President, Provost, Cabinet, Deans, senior administrators, faculty, and key volunteers for maximum impact in development and alumni engagement efforts. Ensure they are effectively supported with professional staff, strategic guidance, and actionable priorities that make their involvement purposeful, high-impact, and personally rewarding—advancing institutional goals through coordinated, relationship-driven engagement.
Facilitate alignment and consensus among the President, Provost, Cabinet, and Deans with regard to development priorities as they relate to advancing the University’s overall objectives.
Partner with the Provost, Deans, and faculty to align academic priorities with philanthropic opportunity, strategically identifying programs and initiatives with the greatest potential for investment. Cultivate a culture of collaboration and shared purpose by engaging academic leaders in donor strategy, positioning them as compelling advocates for their work, and strengthening institutional capacity for competitive grantsmanship and external funding.
Cultivate strong working relationships with administrators, faculty and staff across the University. Ensure that Development and Alumni Relations are seen as a collaborative, responsive partner able to professionally address both opportunities and concerns.
Lead the University’s development and alumni relations functions, promoting a service and achievement-oriented environment that is built on a foundation of operational excellence.
Manage and mentor a staff of over 140 advancement professionals and administrative support personnel; serve as their advocate in the larger University community.
Strengthen the relationships between the development and alumni relations staff and their partners in the University community. Build an office that understands and respects Miami’s culture and priorities while encouraging a corresponding appreciation of philanthropy and donor relations.
Continually strive to improve and extend relationships with all constituencies in ways that have a quantifiable impact on philanthropic revenue.