Sen. Director for Advancement, Children's Hospital & Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment

Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with University of Missouri in the search for a Senior Director for Advancement, Children's Hospital and Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment.

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Health Systems Advancement, the Senior Director for Advancement, Children's Hospital and Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment will initiate, coordinate, and execute major and leadership gift fundraising for MU Health Care’s Children’s Hospital and Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment.

Since 1839, and as Missouri’s only state-supported member of the Association of American Universities, the University of Missouri (MU) has been engaged in groundbreaking research and comprehensive academics that define its strength as a higher education institution. Today, MU supports 31,103 students in 300+ degree programs, including 97 undergraduate majors, 96 master’s degrees, 69 doctoral degrees, and over 70 certificates. Students work side by side with some of the world’s best faculty to advance the arts and humanities, the sciences, and the professions. At MU, scholarship and teaching are driven daily by a commitment to public service—the obligation to produce and disseminate knowledge that will improve the quality of life in the state, the nation, and the world. MU’s NCAA Division I Athletics program in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) has 550 student-athletes across 20 sports. There are 344,000 MU alumni living around the world, 185,000 of which remain in the state of Missouri, maintaining MU’s positive impact globally and locally.

University of Missouri takes pride in driving innovation and the state of Missouri economy through its extensive research and outreach programs which support local families, business owners, farmers, firefighters and police, and healthcare providers. In 2021, the university secured $389 million on total research via the National Science Foundation. It boasts about 100 new inventions each year and infuses the Missouri economy with approximately $5B on an annual basis. Overall, the University of Missouri positively impacts 1 million Missouri residents through its offerings. 

On the heels of record retention and enrollment growth amidst unprecedented challenges facing higher education in 2020, the University of Missouri jumped 15 spots in the U.S. News & World Report list of top national universities, rising to 124 in the publication’s newest rankings of more than 380 public and private institutions. MU also moved up five spots, from No. 90 in 2020 to No. 85, among the Best Value Schools— a measure of colleges that offer the best value for students getting need-based financial aid. Additionally, the university climbed 13 spots to No. 86 among the Best Colleges for Veterans.

Over the next decade, the University of Missouri will undergo a transformation through a comprehensive strategy to enhance the university’s research and education missions through a $1.5 billion long-term investment. MizzouForward will use existing and new resources to recruit new tenure and tenure-track faculty, enhance staff to support the research mission, build and upgrade research facilities and instruments, augment support for student academic success, and retain faculty and staff through additional salary support.

As an academic health system, MU Health Care is home to groundbreaking research that has made it an international health care destination. Its researchers, scientists, and physicians work together to provide bench-to-bedside treatment. These treatments provide access to personalized medicine based on factors as specific as the DNA of cancer tumors. As the home of a research reactor, MU Health Care pursues innovative research and makes advanced, customized treatments in Missouri. Graduates of MU School of Medicine consistently score higher than the national average on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). The MU School of Medicine is nationally ranked in such areas as family and community medicine, primary care, pharmacology and physiology, and health management and informatics. U.S. News & World Report ranks the School of Medicine No. 80 nationwide in Best Medical Schools: Research and No. 67 in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care.

As the only academic health system in the region, University of Missouri’s children’s health providers, researchers, and professors work together to provide the highest level of care to patients and families. From routine check-ups with pediatricians to specialized services for complex diseases, illnesses, and injuries, they are proud to offer expert care in more than 25 pediatric subspecialties, making it the largest and most specialized pediatric care team in central Missouri.

The Thompson Center improves the lives of individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorder and neurodevelopmental disorders through world class programs that integrate research, clinical service delivery, education, and public policy. The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment at the University of Missouri is a national leader in confronting the challenges of autism spectrum disorder and other developmental conditions through its collaborative research, training, and service programs.

Mizzou Advancement emphasizes talent acquisition and professional development in service to its overall mission of enhancing private support of the University of Missouri. As a result, the division continues to attract top talent from around the country. Comprising 180 staff members with a presence across the United States and around the world, Mizzou Advancement announced the $1.3 billion Mizzou: Our Time to Lead campaign in October 2015. At its conclusion in 2020, it was the most successful philanthropic campaign in the university’s history, at over $1.4 billion. At Mizzou Advancement, a diverse community of donors, alumni, staff, and friends is celebrated. It is committed to taking bold steps to create an inclusive culture where everyone is seen, heard, and valued. The Advancement team is continually learning and growing on its journey to embed diversity and inclusion in everything it does.

A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least six years of fundraising experience or equivalent transferable skills that show an understanding of the development model is required for this position. Academic health center fundraising or higher education experience is preferred. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to mission of University of Missouri as well as the responsibilities and qualifications presented in the prospectus.

The salary range for this position is $90,000 to $100,000 annually.

To apply for this position, visit: https://opportunities.aspenleadershipgroup.com/opportunities/1336.