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Vice President for Advancement

Position Summary:

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range:  $120,000-$160,000

The Vice President for Advancement provides leadership for Fresno Pacific University’s fundraising and constituent relations programs.  The purpose of Advancement is to support the mission of FPU through philanthropy and meaningful engagement of its constituencies. Reporting to the President of the University, the Vice President works closely with the President, other administrative leaders, and members of the Board of Trustees to set a strategic direction for the execution of all fundraising, alumni relations, and grants activities, including identification, qualification, and assignment of prospects; cultivation; solicitation; closure; stewardship, management of fundraising and alumni activities, and defining communications strategies. 

 

The Vice President oversees a team of 11 professionals.  

 

The Vice President will be responsible for achieving progress on several priorities:  Initially, s/he will focus on articulating and implementing a comprehensive fundraising and alumni relations program; establishing fundraising and program goals over a five-year period; developing relationships with major prospects; and expanding the scope of the Advancement-related communications program.  Before the end of the first year, s/he will begin working towards expanding the donor base and the major donor pool; identifying prospects beyond the Fresno Pacific University alumni family; leading a successful campaign; and creation of a volunteer program – all in support of the long-term goal of increasing the University’s fundraising capacity and success.  

Essential Functions:

Culture:

  • Be in agreement with the university's Confession of Faith, found here, have a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, be active in the life of the church, and live a life consistent with a commitment to the Lordship of Christ.
  • Embrace the mission, vision, and values of Fresno Pacific University.
  • Be Christ-centered in all areas while working with staff, faculty, students, and or any person or organization in the course of representing the University.
  • All FPU employees are called to exercise the gifts and calling of God through their daily life and role here at FPU. As ministers to students and other employees in daily life, FPU employees seek to embody the ideals laid out in the FPU Idea.
  • A steadfast commitment to the "The Fresno Pacific University Idea" and agreement to support its ideals and practices while employed by the University. 

 Duties:

  • Provide the University’s Advancement effort with strong, creative, energetic, strategic leadership.  Provide vision and direction to a comprehensive Advancement program, including alumni and parent relations; annual, major gift and planned giving; corporate and foundation giving; research, gift processing, acknowledgment and other fundraising support operations; donor relations and stewardship; grants; and Advancement-related communications.  Develop and execute programs and events that produce measurable results and visibility for the University.
  • Oversee the recruitment, management, professional development, and retention of professional and support staff in the Advancement office.  Evaluate staff, develop strong sense of teamwork, and establish an environment of mentoring, effectiveness, and support.
  • Develop the capacity for increased giving by devising annual and long-range plans for all University fundraising programs, including capital, annual, and planned giving.  As the principal fundraising officer of the University, execute these programs and ensure their success.
  • Provide vision and exercise responsibility for a full-scale Advancement services department: gift processing, campaign and finance analysis and reporting, structure and administration of the constituent database, prospect management, and institutional contact lists.
  • Develop plans and resources to strengthen Fresno Pacific University’s base of fundraising volunteers and strategies to improve individual giving.  Build on current efforts to develop the University’s alumni base.
  • Cultivate, solicit, and steward a select group of the University’s top 50-75 prospects. Personally manage and support a Key List of the President’s prospects.
  • Oversee fundraising and friend-raising events to achieve impact in philanthropic support and visibility.
  • Represent the University to a broad range of constituencies, including Trustees, alumni, friends, faculty and staff, corporate executives, government officials, and foundations. 
  • Participate as an active and collaborative member of the President’s Cabinet contributing to discussion and decisions effecting the university.
  • Complete tasks timely with work that is comprehensive, complete, and accurate
  • Communicates clearly, listens attentively, and seeks to understand others
  • Collaborates productively with colleagues of varying skillset 
  • Other job duties as assigned

 

Qualifications:



  • Demonstrated track record of successful and progressively responsible fundraising experience in an educational institution – preferably a private university – or an environment of similar complexity and mission.
  • Demonstrated ability to provide management oversight, leadership, and strategic direction.  Ability to develop trust and strong collaborative working relationships with faculty, staff, Trustees, alumni, and others.
  • Broad background in fundraising, which includes work in several different functional areas.  Particular strength in the area of individual major giving is essential.   Knowledge/experience with annual fund strategies for identifying the next generation of leadership donors is also preferred.
  • Experience nurturing and motivating volunteers and appreciation for their role in building an effective Advancement network.
  • Superior presentation skills, including the ability to deal effectively with Trustees, faculty, senior level executives, government officials, and alumni.  Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write and speak clearly and effectively.  A communication style that is open and cordial.
  • Able to create and communicate excitement about the University’s fundamental strengths and their contribution to the success of its alumni.  Appreciation for the University’s tradition and mission, and a passion for seeking philanthropic support to advance the goals of the University.
  • A team builder who takes a non-hierarchical approach to organization and who is willing to empower subordinates to get the job done while providing the support they need.  Must have a history of recruiting and developing exceptional people.
  • Superior interpersonal skills; an engaging manner, and the capacity to engage, inspire and motivate faculty, University officers, volunteers, donors, prospects and staff, both within the University and beyond, together with the ability to make the appropriate connections among members of these groups and to nurture strong and long-lasting corporate and individual relationships.
  • Must understand and support the importance of educating students about the benefits of giving as an important part of their campus awareness.
  • Familiarity with technology and other innovations that can streamline the Advancement process.
  • A self-starter with a sense of urgency, a clear set of priorities, a strong work ethic and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances in an entrepreneurial environment.  Must have a creative approach to problem solving, and the ability to take advantage of emerging opportunities.  A high level of energy, self-confidence, a positive “can-do” attitude, persuasive charm, and the ability to function at peak in a fast-paced high expectation environment are essential.
  • Unimpeachable integrity and trustworthiness.
  • Appreciation for the history, mission, and distinctive character of Fresno Pacific University and for the faculty, alumni, and students who have helped to shape it.

Environmental Conditions:

  • Indoors in a normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, fumes, vibrations, and temperature changes at least eighty percent (80%) of the time.
  • Frequent computer use at a workstation, up to eight hours per day.
  • Frequently work at a fast pace with unscheduled interruptions.
  • Drive personal or University vehicles to appointments.
  • Public contact position requiring professional apparel, personal hygiene, and grooming. 

Physical Demands:

  • This position typically functions indoors in an office environment with light to moderate noise associated with business office equipment. The position may involve travel for meetings and events.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: remain in a stationary position 80 % of the time, be able to move about inside the office to access file cabinets/office machinery etc., operate a computer and keyboard and other office productivity machinery such as calculators/copy machines/printers. The employee is occasionally required to position self to reach items on the floor and in high cabinetry. 
  • The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Employee must be able to communicate with others to exchange information including both over the telephone and in-person communication with callers and community members and be able to read a computer screen and paper documents.
  • Reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities will be provided in accordance with law.

 

University Information:



Reserving its rights as a religious institution, Fresno Pacific University is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age or disability, or other classes protected by applicable law. Committed to excellence and actively supportive of cultural diversity, FPU invites individuals who contribute to such diversity to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you should contact FPU’s Human Resources Department at hr@fresno.edu.  As a religious institution, the University will administer the equal opportunity employment policy consistent with the Fresno Pacific University statement of faith, the FPU Idea and the University’s governance by the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.


*This information, including salary, is accurate as of March 24, 2023.

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