Associate Vice President for Fundraising Initiatives and Donor Relations

Reporting to the Vice President of Advancement (VP), the Associate Vice President for Fundraising Initiatives and Donor Relations (AVP), is a member of the University Advancement senior leadership team and provides vision, strategy, and momentum for all capital/restricted fundraising and donor stewardship initiatives.

The AVP will lead a staff of ~20 FTE’s, collectively responsible for supporting the “arc” of gifts to the University – from setting fundraising priorities for initiatives that require philanthropic support and partnering with frontline fundraisers to secure gifts, to documenting those gifts, to delivering a “best-in-class” donor stewardship experience, including timely acknowledgments, fund reporting, and recognition.  

The successful candidate will have a track record of working at a complex and dynamic institution; possess strong management, interpersonal, and highly-honed judgment skills; and be a highly creative and innovative leader with exceptional writing skills. In addition, the AVP will possess a passion for liberal arts education, a superior understanding of the University’s teaching and research mission, and strong knowledge of such aspects of University administration as the development of academic and co-curricular initiatives, fund management, capital planning, and policy.  

A key success factor of this position will be the individual’s ability to facilitate collaboration between senior administrators, including the President, Provost, Deputy Provost for Resource Planning, Dean of Faculty, as well as faculty across the University, to develop and achieve philanthropic support for initiatives aligned with the University’s Strategic Framework.

The AVP will:

• Work with the Vice President and colleagues on the University Advancement senior leadership team to determine long- and short-term strategic goals in alumni engagement, fundraising, and a culture of impact.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the VP and an occasional proxy when and as appropriate.
• Lead the process through which the University develops and approves fundraising priorities and gift opportunities, including for term support, endowed funds, and facilities.
• Oversee and work closely with the Fundraising Initiatives Group to partner with administrators and faculty across initiatives to create compelling materials, prepare for meetings and events with potential and current donors, and, collaborating with the giving groups, drive coordinated strategies to maximize fundraising results supporting the University’s strategic priorities.
• Participate in regular conversations with Nassau Hall colleagues regarding key gift conversations and gift purposes and restrictions; provide guidance on fundraising initiatives and campus priorities to prospect managers.
• Lead Fundraising Initiatives Group in drafting gift acceptance terms and documents for outright gifts and documented bequest intentions, in consultation with Nassau Hall partners and with General Counsel; serve as one of two individual authorized to accept restricted gifts on behalf of the University.
• Oversee the monitoring, updating, and expansion of two Gift Policy Guides, collaborating with colleagues within and outside Advancement to ensure currency and completeness of gift-related policies and procedures. As needed, collaborate to draft new policies and determine best practices for gift acceptance, documentation, and counting.
• Represent Advancement in key campus meetings, including but not limited to the Fundraising Priorities Committee and Facilities Planning Group meetings.
• Lead, mentor, and motivate a team of approximately 20 FTE’s prepared to meet the ongoing opportunities and challenges of higher education fundraising and donor relations. Provide direct supervision of the Director of Donor Relations; the Senior Associate Director, Fundraising Initiatives Group; and a Senior Associate Director who manages a team focused on written fundraising and stewardship materials. Maintain a leadership style that fosters collaboration and empowers staff through active communication and delegation.
• Serve as the Executive Sponsor for Donor Relations events, including large-scale campus events, international conferences, and dedications and other donor recognition experiences, ensuring their success through a key set of objectives; also oversee the continued development and implementation of a Donor Relations program that includes acknowledgment, recognition, fund reporting, and lifetime giving groups.
• Working with the Senior Associate Director, lead a team of writers focused on proposals, speeches, letters, and other materials, ensuring the highest quality in keeping with the standards of the University’s senior administration.
• Play an active role in the life of the University, including but not limited to committees, task forces, and areas of personal interest.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor's degree and minimum of ten years of professional higher education, academic administrative or development-related experience or related work experience.
• Strong leadership, exceptional judgment and discretion, superb communication skills, and the ability to work creatively and collaboratively with many constituencies, both on and off campus. 
• Demonstrated experience as a manager and supervisor of staff, including the ability to motivate people, build buy-in around organizational goals and decisions, lead teams through change, measure and manage performance, address underperformance, and develop processes and policies designed to optimize the effectiveness and productivity of the office and its members.
• Ability to articulate Princeton's mission and priorities with enthusiasm, energy, and conviction, and in a manner that inspires others to action.
• Knowledge of the principles of fundraising and the current philanthropic landscape, including current best practices, strategies, and policies related to annual and capital/restricted giving.
• Strong strategic planning and project management skills necessary to set and monitor progress against goals, to develop plans and timelines, and to measure success toward goals.
• Proven ability to develop and foster relationships with stakeholders at all levels across a complex organization, and to collaborate and influence at a high level.
• Evidence of self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and in teams, with high personal standards representative of Princeton’s commitment to excellence.
• Track record of recruiting, mentoring, motivating, and leading a strong, cohesive, and high-performing team; the managerial skills to establish a collaborative, team- and goal-oriented environment, providing vision and encouraging innovation; the ability to empower staff through active communication and delegation, building confidence, promoting diversity of thought, and celebrating achievements.
• Sound judgment, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail; the ability to think strategically and act decisively and to make sound judgments and solve problems without close day-to-day supervision.
• Ability to respond quickly to changing business needs and priorities. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and to produce high-quality and compelling work product under tight deadlines.  Ability to work with a high degree of flexibility in a highly-collaborative, fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.
• Strong familiarity with Princeton University and its mission.
• Commitment to the Office of Advancement's mission of maximizing philanthropic support for Princeton University and to adhering to its guiding principles of High Performance, Innovation, Civility, and Collaboration.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD or other advanced academic degree

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.