Associate Vice President, Development

Job Description Summary

Bentley University has retained Boyden to lead the search efforts for this position. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Lisa Vuona directly at [email protected] and reference “Bentley University” in the subject line.
The Associate Vice President for Development (AVP) is a key partner to the Vice President of University Advancement overseeing Bentley University’s Major and Principal Giving, Corporate and Foundation Relations, International fund-raising, and Gift Planning functions. The AVP is an integral member of University Advancement’s (UA) leadership team providing leadership, staff management, strategic and budget oversight for the departments under their purview while contributing to the success of Bentley’s broader Advancement functions as a thought partner, strategist, and collaborator with colleagues on the UA leadership team and campus partners including the president, provost, deans, and other institutional leaders.
The incumbent will be a positive leader who is able to work collaboratively across the organization with a commitment to excellence and accountability. This role is best suited to someone who is agile, adaptable, solution-oriented, and committed to innovation and continuous improvement. The incumbent should be excited to shape a team committed to becoming a peerless advancement organization and will be a keeper of a strong, positive culture committed to personal and professional growth in a fun, collegial, and flexible work environment.

Essential Duties

Reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement, the AVP will be a senior member of the UA leadership team, leading functions responsible for generating philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

• Develop a best-in-class development function with a particular focus on hiring, coaching, and developing a team of talented fundraising professionals by: developing a rigorous training curriculum focused on building the skillset, priority fluency, and mindset necessary for fundraisers to thrive and achieve ambitious results; by providing coaching and support to help team members grow, while being comfortable providing difficult feedback with clarity, empathy, and directness when necessary; and by establishing annual work plans, goals, and performance metrics to provide team members with clear expectations and accountability.

• Work collaboratively with the UA leadership team and campus partners to develop and implement a multi-year fundraising plan.

• Will work closely with the Executive Director of Advancement Communications, the VP for UA, and campus partners to translate institutional priorities into fundraising priorities. Will market-test ideas and conduct feasibility conversation with prospective donors and key volunteers such as trustees and members of advisory boards to provide insight from the philanthropic market that will be used to prioritize fundraising initiatives, develop goals, and tailor messaging to prospective donors.

• Will provide strategic leadership and oversight of a discrete set of fundraising initiatives and will work closely with the VP of UA, Cabinet members, Deans and University President, and members of the Board of Trustees to advance these initiatives. Will be a primary liaison to a set of campus partners such as the Athletic Director, Center Directors, etc. and will support these campus partners in their development work.

• Effectively manage a targeted portfolio of major and principal gifts prospects, resulting in successful cultivation and solicitation of major and principal gifts in support of identified university priorities.

• Develop, manage, and provide strategic direction for an emerging volunteer structure including the establishment of a President’s Council and other advisory boards designed to deepen prospect engagement and build a robust pipeline of future volunteer leaders for Bentley.

• Will engage partners in Advancement Services and Prospect Research and Management to ensure optimal coverage of Bentley’s prospect pool. Will be committed to rigorous use of data to inform decisions and will ensure the timely and accurate maintenance of information including trip reports and proposals in our database of record.

• Embrace and model Bentley’s positive culture principles, where all community members are empowered, engaged, and thriving in their work and studies. As a member of the University Advancement Leadership team, embraces institutional values and takes seriously the role of leadership in modeling our values.

Other Duties

• Participate in university committees and other activities as requested by the VP of UA.

• Develop and monitor budgets for cost centers reporting into this position.

• Occasionally represent the VP for UA in various internal meetings and external events.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• 10+ years of development/fundraising, and management experience required, preferably in an educational setting.

• Experience qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospects capable of making gifts in the range of six to seven figures plus. Demonstrated success as a fundraiser and as a leader of a fundraising team.

• Excellent writing and speaking skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively with a diverse set of colleagues.

• Demonstrated management and leadership experience in a complex organization essential.

• The ability to work well with colleagues, to lead by influence, and to bring disparate stakeholders together to advance institutional goals.

• Familiarity and a comfort level with technology and Development Operating Systems are essential.

• A demonstrated commitment to fostering a welcoming, diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all employees are valued.

• The willingness to use new systems and experience using Microsoft Office suite required.

Work Environment

• Typical office setting with extensive sitting and computer work

• Ability to travel within and outside of campus for work relevant events and meetings, travel and meetings may occur outside of normal business hours including nights and weekends.

Bentley University requires references checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Bentley University strives to create a campus community that welcomes the exchange of ideas, and fosters a culture that values differences and views them as a strength in our community.

Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, building strength through diversity. The University is committed to building a community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of global business. We strongly encourage applications from persons from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.