Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Golden Gate University
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
San Francisco, California

Founded in 1901 in San Francisco, Golden Gate University (GGU) meets the needs of working adults by offering undergraduate and graduate programs in business and management, information technology, taxation, and law. Golden Gate's overall mission is to offer a variety of exceptional programs that utilize the most advanced technologies and learning tools available. GGU emphasizes hands-on learning taught by professionals practicing in the field, with students gaining valuable insights from CEOs, vice presidents, directors, entrepreneurs, consultants, partners, and other industry leaders who work in some of the Bay Area's largest and most successful organizations. The proven success of the university’s undergraduate, graduate, and law alumni are a result of small class sizes, expert instructors, and powerful alumni connections to the business and legal communities (68,000+ alumni overall).

Campuses and teaching sites are located in San Francisco, Seattle, and Silicon Valley, as well as online through GGU’s nationally acclaimed eLearning programs.

GGU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The GGU School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State of California and is a member in good standing of the Association of American Law Schools.

Golden Gate University seeks candidates for the role of Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA). A member of the GGU Senior Leadership Team, the VPIA reports to the President and leads the design, execution, and evaluation of university-wide plans related to fundraising, alumni relations, marketing, and communications. The VPIA’s primary responsibilities are as follows: to create a culture of philanthropy that energizes all GGU’s stakeholders, both internal and external; provide guidance and operational support for administrative and academic leadership on all matters related to fund development, alumni engagement, and enhancing brand awareness and marketing content; and strategically advise and support the President and the Board of Trustees in efforts to advance GGU’s reputation and position. The VPIA will leverage the committed, unified partnership of the President and highly engaged Trustees in building a more robust major gifts program. The role has significant managerial responsibility, overseeing a team of 13 staff members. Concurrently, the VPIA will have direct responsibility for cultivating a select portfolio of top donors and prospects.

The ideal candidate will have the following personal and professional skills, qualities, and competencies:

- Intellectual curiosity and the desire to engage deeply in life at Golden Gate University. Ability to communicate the university’s mission and impact to the broader community with clarity, passion, and authenticity.

- Bachelor’s degree.

- At least 10 years of progressively responsible, fundraising, marketing and communications, and managerial experience in institutional advancement, preferably within a complex higher education setting. Strong grasp of and commitment to best practices in institutional advancement.

- Strong record of providing strategic and operational leadership, including creating and managing a budget, while ensuring efficient processes and resource allocation. Demonstrated ability to recruit, manage, coach/mentor, motivate, and ensure ongoing professional development of staff.

- Experience in developing the case for support and strategic fundraising plans, including for a major campaign, and executing plans to achieve goals and objectives. Demonstrated experience cultivating, training, and working collaboratively with senior-level colleagues, board members, and other high-level volunteer leaders on successful development-related activities.

- Successful track record of personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts from individual and institutional donors at the level of six to seven-figures or greater. Experience integrating giving programs at various levels to cultivate greater donor commitments.

- Demonstrated ability in planning and executing integrated, strategic marketing and communications in support of achieving institutional, programmatic, event, and development and alumni relations goals. A functional understanding of how to effectively leverage various communication mediums and distribution channels for optimal exposure and impact.

- Demonstrated analytical and organizational skills in evaluating existing programs, conceiving and implementing new programs or strategies, and resolving complex and/or sensitive operational and interpersonal issues.

- The ability to extract and analyze data to make effective, efficient decisions about donor strategy and process, as well as working knowledge of modern data management practices and innovations that can streamline institutional advancement processes and contribute to the integration of related functions. Experience using database and project management systems, specifically Blackbaud, Raiser’s Edge, NetCommunity, PeopleSoft, and/or Asana.

- A forward thinker with a track record of utilizing new methods of constituent engagement and connectivity, who will be driven by innovation in developing institutional advancement best practices in the current and post-COVID-19 world. 

- Ability to work evenings and weekends and to travel regionally and nationally, as required, consistent with public health guidelines.

Golden Gate University is an equal employment opportunity employer. The university supports inclusive excellence and are committed to creating a safe and welcoming community for all.

University policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, gender stereotyping, and gender identity, taking a protected leave (e.g., family medical or pregnancy leave), or on any other basis protected by applicable laws.

The university has a strong commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and to maintaining working and learning environments that reinforces these practices. The university welcomes and encourages applications from all, especially women, minorities, people of color, veterans, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQI community.

Golden Gate University has retained the Diversified Search Group to assist in this confidential search process. Inquiries, nominations, and applications (current resumes and cover letters) should be directed electronically to:

Gerard F. Cattie, Jr.
Managing Director
Fundraising & Advancement Practice Leader
Diversified Search Group
The Chrysler Building, 405 Lexington Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York 10174
gerard.cattie@divsearch.com | 212.542.2587