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Vice President of Development and Alumni Engagement

Employer
DePauw University
Location
Indiana, United States
Salary
Salary Not specified
Closing date
Jan 19, 2021

View more

Position Type
Executive
Fields
Education
Employment Type
Full Time

DePauw University, consistently ranked one of the country's top 50 liberal arts colleges and including a highly-regarded School of Music, seeks an exceptional leader for its next Vice President of Development and Alumni Engagement (VPDAE). A strategic partner to the university's president and to the trustees, faculty, and staff, this seasoned advancement professional will be a significant institution-wide leader and a critical member of the president's highly collaborative and collegial cabinet.

Set in the idyllic town of Greencastle, Indiana (pop. 10,500), DePauw University provides what few American universities can offer: the quintessential college experience. Centered around broad green spaces and populated with both historic buildings reflecting its 183-year history and new structures meeting the needs of today's students and faculty, DePauw offers a close-knit, supportive and intellectually-invigorating experience for students from Indiana and around the world.

Thirty-nine miles from Indianapolis, DePauw is the leading liberal arts college in Indiana, enrolling 1,750 undergraduates on its 655-acre campus that is 99% residential. DePauw has a student-faculty ratio of 8:1 and a $730 million endowment. Providing higher education focused on the future, DePauw has historically attracted the future civic, business and cultural leaders in the state, while also drawing a national and international enrollment. During the past decade, DePauw has significantly diversified its student body—23% are domestic students of color and 20% are first-generation college goers. A high priority of the new strategic plan will be to enhance student satisfaction and success, especially for students from historically underrepresented groups.

With the arrival of Dr. Lori S. White as the university's 21st president on July 1, 2020, this is an exciting time for DePauw. In conversations with constituents both on and off campus, there is tremendous enthusiasm for President White, her leadership style and the potential impact her tenure will make on the university.

Central to this impact will be the partnership between the president and the next VPDAE, who will build on a strong fundraising history with enormous potential yet to be realized. DePauw's last campaign, The Campaign for DePauw, began in 2012 with a goal of $300 million and ended in June 2019 with gifts and commitments totaling $383 million. In FY 2020, DePauw raised $33 million in total philanthropic support with a staff of approximately 25. Not represented in these numbers is the incredible success the university has experienced raising transformational eight-figure gifts. Even more exciting is the fact that opportunities for these types of gifts still exist – numerous other potential principal gift donors are members of the DePauw family.

DePauw seeks a VPDAE who will, first and foremost, fully engage this group of alumni, donors and potential donors who can transform DePauw in the near future. Capitalizing on the traditions and resources of a vibrant campus community and a passionate, loyal alumni group, the next Vice President will lead a cohesive and highly effective development and alumni relations team, continuing to enhance its strong culture of collaboration and collegiality, enriching and deepening the existing DAE operation, advancing a service-oriented organizational culture that rewards new ideas and risk-taking, promoting diversity and rewarding collaboration and group achievement. The new vice president will welcome the opportunity to become an integral part of the DePauw community and will take an active interest in the economic, cultural and environmental vitality of Greencastle and Indianapolis.

The ideal candidate is a leader of vision with an intimate understanding of and commitment to best practices in the profession and the capacity to engage deeply with and value highly this exceptional university. Substantial and successful experience with organizational growth and change is particularly sought, as is leadership experience in a campaign of considerable aspiration and complexity. The VPDAE will be a successful principal gift fundraiser who understands and appreciates the entirety of a development program, including especially the importance of a robust alumni relations program. Superior communication and relationship-building skills are of course required, and candidates with a history of proactive relationship-building across the faculty and academic leadership are encouraged. Strong leadership skills are an imperative as this organization responds to increasing expectations of philanthropy. The interest in and ability to partner with an exceptional team of university leaders is a must.

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile available at this link.

WittKieffer is assisting DePauw University in this search, which will remain open until an appointment is made.

Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal. For fullest consideration, candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by no later than February 5th.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Mercedes Chacón Vance, Greg Duyck and Robin Mamlet
DePauwVPDAE@wittkieffer.com

DePauw University, in affirmation of its commitment to excellence, endeavors to provide equal opportunity for all individuals in its hiring, promotion, compensation and admission procedures. Institutional decisions regarding hiring, promotion, compensation and admission will be based upon a person’s qualifications and/or performance without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, gender, gender identity or gender expression, except where religion, gender, or national origin is a bona fide occupational qualification.

DePauw University’s goals and commitments are best served if the institution reflects the diversity of our society; hence, DePauw seeks diversity in all areas and levels of employment and abides by all local, state, and federal regulations concerning equal employment opportunities. The university admits, hires and promotes individuals upon their qualities and merits.

 

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