Vice President of Development

West Point Association of Graduates•West Point, NY

5d•$210,000 - $235,000•Onsite

About The Position

The mission of the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) is to “Serve West Point and the Long Gray Line.” WPAOG is both the alumni association and foundation for the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point. Our vision is to ensure the Long Gray Line remains the most highly connected alumni body in the world. USMA is renowned as the world’s preeminent leadership development institution. The Corps of Cadets numbers approximately 4,400, and each year about 1,000 cadets graduate and are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Based at West Point, NY at Herbert Hall, the Vice President of Development is responsible for the general administration and overall management of the private sector development and fund-raising program for the United States Military Academy at West Point and the WPAOG. As a member of the Senior Management team, the incumbent reports to the WPAOG’s President & CEO, and receives guidance and direction from the Association’s Development Committee, Board of Directors, and Campaign Cabinet. Gifts from the private sector fund 1) the Academy’s “Margin of Excellence” activities and programs essential to attracting and developing exemplary leaders of character as well as 2) the Association’s communications, services, and programs for graduates, parents, and the survivor community. Additionally, the incumbent is also responsible for overseeing a centralized, full-scale fundraising operation that includes Annual and Class Giving, Corporate & Foundation Relations, Planned Giving, Leadership and Major Gift Giving, Development Events, Advancement Services and Development Communications & Stewardship. In the context of a $600.5 million comprehensive campaign , West Point Ready , the VP must provide strategic, clear, and effective leadership to Development staff, key volunteer committees, the Academy’s Leader Team, and Department Heads. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Must be able to interact/engage with senior military leaders as well as national business and political leaders and be comfortable and confident in meetings and engagements with them. Must set a strong, professional example for team and reflect the values of the Association of Graduates. Must have thorough knowledge of personnel management, financial management, accounting, and control of funds. Must have fundraising industry knowledge and be cognizant of industry best practices and thorough knowledge of educational philanthropy processes, systems, and techniques. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Must be willing to travel. Incumbent should be able to be "on-call" as required by situations and events.

Requirements

Must be able to interact/engage with senior military leaders as well as national business and political leaders and be comfortable and confident in meetings and engagements with them.
Must set a strong, professional example for team and reflect the values of the Association of Graduates.
Must have thorough knowledge of personnel management, financial management, accounting, and control of funds.
Must have fundraising industry knowledge and be cognizant of industry best practices and thorough knowledge of educational philanthropy processes, systems, and techniques.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Must be willing to travel.
Incumbent should be able to be "on-call" as required by situations and events.
bachelor’s degree is required.
A minimum of ten years of development experience is preferred, to include at least five years of educational development experience.
A minimum of ten years of organizational leadership of teams (at least 30 employees) is preferred
Additionally, the incumbent must live within commuting distance of West Point.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree is preferred

Responsibilities

general administration and overall management of the private sector development and fund-raising program for the United States Military Academy at West Point and the WPAOG
overseeing a centralized, full-scale fundraising operation that includes Annual and Class Giving, Corporate & Foundation Relations, Planned Giving, Leadership and Major Gift Giving, Development Events, Advancement Services and Development Communications & Stewardship
provide strategic, clear, and effective leadership to Development staff, key volunteer committees, the Academy’s Leader Team, and Department Heads