Vice President for University Advancement

Carnegie Mellon University seeks an accomplished, collaborative, and visionary leader to serve as Vice President for University Advancement. The Vice President for University Advancement will report to the President, Dr. Farnam Jahanian and will serve on the President's ten-member Executive Management Team. The Vice President will oversee the University Advancement division with more than 150 staff members as well as advancement teams that are based in and report to CMU’s academic units.

Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a private, internationally ranked research university with programs in areas ranging from science, technology, and business to public policy, the humanities, and the arts. CMU is positioned like never before to meet the challenges of the 21st century. At the intersection of technology and humanity, CMU research, innovation, and creative activity across seven schools and colleges will continue to guide the future as a world-class university. A member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), CMU ranks No. 24 for national universities in U.S. News & World Report . This is a global community of 15,000 students hailing from 127 countries, faculty representing 63 countries, and alumni representing 147 countries.

The Vice President for University Advancement will develop and implement a compelling, comprehensive advancement strategy and program capable of meeting the university’s philanthropic objectives. The Vice President will promote the university’s mission and preserve its standing as an international leader in higher education and research through a unified vision for advancement that builds upon the success of Make Possible: The Campaign for Carnegie Mellon University , elevates the advancement function, and furthers the goals of the entire university, including its individual colleges and administrative units as well as campuses and locations worldwide. The Vice President will represent and advocate on behalf of the university’s commitment to the transformative power of education and promotion of access, opportunity, and excellence. The Vice President will be a relationship-oriented leader with strong interpersonal skills and self-awareness, a commitment to deepening the engagement of many and varied constituents with a special emphasis on alumni and parents, and excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to articulate matters of complexity and nuance to multiple and varied groups of stakeholders.

As the Vice President for University Advancement you will:

Oversee CMU’s overall advancement efforts, including fundraising, alumni and parent engagement, business engagement, and university events by

• conceiving of and implementing an overarching strategic advancement plan that is innovative and progressive, including activities that extend across philanthropic revenue streams, both nationally and internationally, in ways that appropriately support and reflect the mission, goals, and objectives of the university;

• formulating and implementing comprehensive and best-in-class alumni engagement programs and volunteer support services that utilize the rich and varied resources of the university and offer value to more than 130,000 alumni who are geographically diverse and have a wide array of personal and professional interests and talents; and
• strengthening the university’s capacity to support international fundraising efforts by building the necessary infrastructure and staffing.

Collaborate with CMU’s academic and administrative leadership to develop philanthropic support that enables CMU to fulfill its potential and continue its ascent by

• working in partnership with academic and administrative leadership towards a thoughtful, energetic, unified, and consistent advancement strategy that embraces and leverages the strengths of the CMU model for academic and research units;
• contributing to the success of academic and administrative leadership advancement efforts by ensuring that they are supported in their roles as fundraisers in significant and meaningful ways and are appropriately involved in advancement activities including prospect engagement, solicitation, and donor stewardship; and
• building upon the entrepreneurial efforts of the institution’s faculty, deans, department heads, and other senior and academic leaders to encourage and facilitate ownership of the university's advancement efforts.

Foster a culture of philanthropy across the university community and leverage the momentum of Make Possible: The Campaign for Carnegie Mellon University to prepare CMU for its next campaign by

• instilling a heightened level of engagement for prospects, donors, parents, alumni, and other stakeholders within the CMU community, preparing for the next campaign and alumni engagement expansion;
• working with the President, board, and other key constituencies to lead the effort to plan and execute a new campaign designed to realize the university's strategic priorities; and
• closely reviewing the organization and success of Make Possible and identifying strategies to ensure that the organization’s staff, processes, and infrastructure can fulfill future campaign goals that will be established.

Lead the Division of University Advancement, which includes advancement professionals in CMU’s academic units, by continuing to invest in division culture, and in learning and performance, and by fulfilling CMU’s and UA’s commitment to access, opportunity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence by

• setting goals and measures to define success and fostering a culture of achievement that values mastery of best practices, accountability, and the implementation of new ideas in which effective teamwork, collaboration, accountability, strategic thinking, and innovation are expected, recognized, and rewarded;
• incorporating a well-grounded understanding and demonstration of diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging as core values of the institution and the division and engaging in a critical assessment of progress toward achieving and maintaining an inclusive culture in which diversity is valued and respected; and
• leading by example and creating and contributing to an environment of openness, candor, transparency, mutual respect, and cooperation that serves as a model university-wide.

Serve as trusted partner and advisor to President Farnam Jahanian and the administrative and academic leadership by

• supporting the President by providing strategic guidance, fostering relationships, and generating support from donors and other stakeholders as an engaged member of Senior Leadership;
• partnering with the President and Senior Leadership to navigate complex challenges and position the university and university advancement for success; and
• ensuring that the President and Senior Leadership stay apprised of and are responsive to emerging best practices, risks, and opportunities in the field of advancement pertinent to CMU's continued fundraising success.

Manage a personal portfolio of CMU’s top supporters, including trustees, foundations, corporate partners, and other individuals by

• identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a select group of principal and transformational gift prospects;
• expanding the prospect pool of top supporters, with an emphasis on international prospects; and
• leading by example as an exemplary fundraiser who inspires both internal and external partners

Enhance and extend programs designed to engage CMU’s various constituencies, with an emphasis on alumni and parents by

• understanding the critical impact of alumni and donor relationships in advancing a leading research university;
• building and strengthening credible, productive relationships with alumni, and engaging them using multiple strategies, both domestically and internationally; and
• ensuring that alumni engagement is viewed as a valued partner to CMU leadership, schools, colleges, departments, and research centers across campus to help colleagues meet the goals and objectives of their programs and the university's overall mission.

Support the President, Secretary of the Corporation, and academic deans in identifying and recruiting the best possible volunteers by

• working effectively with the current board while continuing to identify future board members and overseeing the development and implementation of the leadership nomination pipeline;
• ensuring continuity, diversity, and capability in the volunteer pipeline and identifying alumni who have demonstrated an interest in supporting the university, are prominent in their fields, and may be willing to serve on panels, committees, boards, or in other capacities; and
• reviewing the strategy for volunteer engagement, training, and recognition across the university and continually developing approaches that make engagement a positive experience for the volunteer and for the university while fully utilizing the skills, connections, and advice of volunteers.

Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. Inclusion, collaboration and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who is able to effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Carnegie Mellon University seeks a Vice President for University Advancement with experience leading a sophisticated and complex advancement program while serving as a partner to the president as well as senior academic and administrative leadership. The Vice President will have an ability to reflect the university's strategic goals and translate those goals into cohesive advancement strategies. The Vice President will understand and appreciate the unique and creative culture of Carnegie Mellon University coupled with a desire to embrace the opportunity to learn and become immersed in the CMU community. The Vice President will possess high level strategic and planning skills, a thorough understanding of traditional and emerging advancement concepts, and a strong grasp of best practices in the advancement profession both inside and outside higher education. This includes experience envisioning, developing, and implementing successful, comprehensive, and holistic advancement programs across a complex enterprise with multiple constituencies and highly varied audiences both national and international, while using metrics to monitor growth and external and internal impact. The Vice President will have a collaborative and collegial disposition with superlative interpersonal skills and an eagerness and ability to engage and convene a diverse set of stakeholders, build strong professional relationships, and synthesize many ideas. The Vice President should have a record of creative and entrepreneurial management as well as the skills needed to encourage change and growth in both people and programs, a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and the ability to build a robust, autonomous, and highly collaborative team.

Additionally, Carnegie Mellon University seeks a Vice President of University Advancement who can demonstrate

• a commitment to the mission of Carnegie Mellon University—to create a transformative educational experience for students focused on deep disciplinary knowledge; problem solving; leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; and personal health and well-being;
• experience in a senior leadership role within a comprehensive advancement program, including fundraising, alumni and parent engagement, business engagement, and university events;
• a history of conceiving of and implementing innovative and progressive strategic advancement plans with international reach;
• experience as a superior collaborator with an ability to partner with academic and administrative leadership across institutions to create consistent advancement strategies;
• experience serving as a partner to senior leadership, providing support and guidance in all aspects of advancement and beyond;
• campaign leadership experience, including an ability to both leverage the success of past campaigns and create momentum for future campaigns;
• experience managing a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals with the capacity for transformational impact;
• an ability to foster and instill a culture of philanthropy institution-wide;
• an ability to serve as an exceptional leader of staff with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as indispensable to the pursuit of excellence and innovation;
• experience formulating and implementing comprehensive and innovative alumni engagement programs that enhance alumni and parent engagement nationally and internationally; and
• experience working with boards, identifying future board members, and overseeing the development and implementation of the board nomination pipeline process.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of ten (10) years of advancement leadership experience is required.

Requirements:

• Successful background check

Additional Information:

• This position is based in Pittsburgh, PA.
• Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States. CMU will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity.

NOMINATION AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

Aspen Leadership Group has been engaged to assist Carnegie Mellon University in this search.

To apply for this position , please visit: Vice President for University Advancement, Carnegie Mellon University .

• All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé.
• Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of Carnegie Mellon University and the position of Vice President for University Advancement as presented in the position prospectus.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the successful candidate has been selected.

To nominate a candidate, please contact Ron Schiller, [email protected] or Don Hasseltine, [email protected] .

All inquiries will be held in confidence.

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits available to eligible employees.

Those employees who are benefits eligible have the opportunity to experience the full spectrum of advantages from comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance to an enticing retirement savings program offering a generous employer contribution. You can also unlock your potential with tuition benefits and take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays . Finally, rest easy knowing you are covered by life and accidental death and disability insurance. 

Other perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access , and so much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits that may be awaiting you, explore our Benefits page .

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond just credentials, we consider the role and responsibilities, your invaluable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We acknowledge and appreciate your unique skills and the diverse perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

University Administration and Management

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

More Information: 

• Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon ” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world. 

• Click here to view a listing of employee benefits

• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran. 

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