Executive Vice President of University Advancement

To be considered, candidates must submit:

 1) Letter of Interest 

 2) CV or resume 

 3) One-page statement defining the value proposition of a university experience as one might express to a potential donor.

 Review of materials will begin November 11, 2024 and the position will remain open until filled.

Drury is located in Springfield, Missouri, part of the Ozarks and the third largest city in the state and one of the fastest growing. The university started in 1873 as a single building on less than two acres of land. Within a quarter-century, the campus had expanded to 40 acres, which included Stone Chapel, the President’s house and three academic buildings. Today, there is a 90-acre campus that encompasses the original site. Drury College became Drury University on January 1, 2000, reflecting its growing role in higher education. In addition to established academic programs consistent with the traditional Liberal Arts, Drury has dynamic programs in the Breech School of Business Administration, the Hammons School of Architecture, Shewmaker Communication Center, engineering, pre-health sciences, and the arts. The growing number of graduate programs includes Physician Assistant. The institution’s entrepreneurial Fusion program, creates pathways for virtually all undergraduates to finish with three credentials, and the GO program offers online, evening, and other certificate and licensure programs, ensuring that Drury has strong programs across multiple disciplines and modalities. 

Drury University values small classes, direct engagement with faculty, intentional development of practical lifelong skills, experiential learning opportunities, high impact teaching and learning practices, and preparing students to live and work in today’s world. A welcome and comfortable campus, Drury values individual achievement, inclusion, service to community, and the core values of passion, excellence, growth, resilience, trust, and respect.  

Executive Vice President of University Advancement 

Drury University seeks an Executive Vice President of University Advancement (EVPUA) to lead a team of development professionals dedicated to advancing the mission of the university. Reporting directly to the President, the Executive Vice President of Advancement is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and is a strategic partner in helping the institution achieve its vision on campus, community, and beyond. The network of Drury alumni, trustees, benefactors, corporate and non-profit strategic partners, and supporters stretches from Springfield, Missouri throughout the Midwest and South, and beyond.  

Job Summary:

The Executive Vice President serves as the chief development officer for the university, engaging and stewarding donors and benefactors, assisting in the development of major gifts as well as institutional and community partnerships, building and empowering a team of professionals, creatively pursuing foundation and grant-writing options, and exemplifying Drury University’s 151-year history as a Liberal Arts institution that helps students find their purpose and develop a set of lifelong skills that will help them lead a meaningful and fulfilling life. Drury’s enduring value to its alumni and community presents a significant opportunity unlike most higher education institutions. The Advancement Team focuses on annual giving; major and principal gifts; planned and estate giving; corporate and foundation relations; prospect research; advancement services; alumni relations; parent relations; and stewardship and constituency services. The position requires an individual who is interested in civic engagement and being connected to the broader community. The EVPUA will have an appetite for deep and sustained engagement in Drury’s community and region.

Duties/Responsibilities:

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties or responsibility requirements. Employees may be required to perform other job-related instructions as requested by the supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement an advancement strategy that aligns with the university’s strategic goals and enhances its fundraising capacity. Engage effectively with a range of internal (faculty, academic and administrative leadership) and external constituents. Create opportunities for broader and deeper storytelling and relationship building through creative application of technology, deployment of personnel, and construction of signature engagements. 
• Donor Relations: Cultivate and maintain relationships with alumni, potential supporters, and donors at all levels, ensuring effective stewardship.
• Fundraising Campaigns: Oversee the planning and execution of major fundraising campaigns, including capital campaigns, annual giving programs, and special initiatives.
• Team Management: Lead and mentor the Advancement Team in a culture of collaboration, creativity, growth, accountability, and sensemaking.
• Collaboration: Serve as a key member of the President’s Senior Leadership Team, working collaboratively to reach shared institutional goals. Work collaboratively with University Marketing and Communications to ensure consistent messaging across all communications, enhancing Drury’s brand reputation.
• Community Engagement: Represent the university as needed at events and meetings, effectively communicating its vision, needs, and achievements to diverse audiences.
• Reporting: Provide regular updates to stakeholders and trustees on fundraising progress and financial metrics.
• Student Success: All aspects of the institution funnel to student success, with Advancement driving the Student Success Fund, one of several mechanisms to make sure a premier Drury educational experience can be available and financially approachable to highly qualified student of any financial or socioeconomic status. 

Required Skills/Abilities:

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum knowledge, skills, and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• The successful candidate must have a bachelor’s degree and a significant and progressive record of successful leadership in higher education or a related field commensurate with the requirements and expectations for this executive senior role. This position will require regular travel.
• Must possess valid driver license and acceptable driving record if driving for university business.

Preferred Skills/Abilities:

• Education: Advanced degree
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in advancement, fundraising or related areas in higher education or in a comparable environment, ideally with leadership experience during a major or capital campaign.
• Skills: Proven track record of successful major gift fundraising, strategic planning, and team leadership. Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills; a strong storyteller whose understanding of the value of a Drury education is unmistakable. Ability to develop new relationships, including with foundations and donors with no prior connection to Drury.
• Practical Knowledge: Substantive grasp of trends and current context of higher education as well as current trends and best practices in advancement and philanthropy. Demonstrated experience in the design, implementation, and management of a sophisticated advancement program (including prospect research and portfolio/moves management, annual giving, major and planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, endowment, alumni engagement, stewardship, advancement infrastructure and operations, and volunteer leadership) or relevant experience in developing and growing a resource-development program in relevant field.
• Attributes: Strategic thinker, results-oriented, with understanding of and commitment to the legal and ethical aspects of fundraising; highest integrity.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervises team members in the division. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop or kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.