Associate Vice President for Development

Job title: Associate Vice President for Development

Job Description Summary

The Associate Vice President for Development is a senior advancement leader responsible for designing, leading, and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies across annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and corporate and foundation relations in support of the university’s strategic priorities. Reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement (VPUA), the AVP serves as both strategic architect and working fundraiser—driving revenue growth and organizational capacity while maintaining a personal portfolio of high-capacity donors and providing day-to-day leadership to frontline development staff. The AVP partners closely with the President, Vice President for Advancement, deans, faculty, and trustees to align fundraising priorities with institutional goals and to build a culture of philanthropic excellence across the university.

Minimum Qualifications

• Seven years of development experience with demonstrated success managing comprehensive fundraising programs and securing major and planned gifts, preferably in higher education or a comparably complex nonprofit environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal and organizational skills; be detail, goal and results oriented; be self motivated with the ability to make independent decisions; be collaborative and a team player; demonstrate sound judgment when dealing with a wide range of personalities, relationships and situations; possess the ability to maintain enthusiasm for hard work, changing priorities, and multiple deadlines, as well as the ability to interact well with a diverse community of faculty, students, and constituents.
• Strong financial acumen with budget development, resource allocation, and ROI analysis capabilities. Data-driven decision-making using analytics, metrics, and predictive modeling. Visionary thinking with ability to develop long-range plans and translate strategy into executable action. Proven ability to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors at the six-and seven-figure level. Performance management expertise including goal-setting, metrics tracking, and accountability systems. Expertise coaching others in frontline fundraising and building organizational capacity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing annual giving, major gifts, planned giving and corporate and foundation relations programs, including strategy development and performance management.
• Deep knowledge of donor-centered fundraising, gift planning vehicles and complex gift structures. Comprehensive capital campaign experience.
• Experience with advancement CRM systems (Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, etc.) and analytics platforms.
• Candidates must demonstrate commitment to the University’s core values of Ethical Reasoning, Civic and Community Engagement, Lifelong Learning and Diversity and Inclusivity.

Benefits Summary

Applicants, please note that actual compensation is determined by several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, depth of experience, certifications, relevant education or training, and specific work location, among others. The offered wage or salary is only one aspect of an employee’s total compensation

Benefits include a comprehensive health and wellness plan, tuition remission program for employee, spouse, and dependent children, a generous contribution to the University’s 403B retirement plan, and a generous time off plan.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion and clearance of a background check and employment verification.

Location

La Verne Main Campus

Number of Vacancies

Physical Demands Summary

The physical demands include the ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 20 pounds occasionally. Clear verbal and written communication is essential, as the position involves frequent interaction with colleagues, clients, or external partners. The noise level is generally low to moderate. The position may occasionally involve meeting deadlines or managing multiple priorities, which can require sustained focus and mental stamina.

Do the essential functions of this job require lifting? Yes

If yes, list maximum weight and duration 20lbs

Describe work environment This position is based in a standard office environment and primarily involves sedentary work. Employees are expected to spend extended periods of time working at a desk, using a computer, and engaging in routine office tasks such as emailing, attending m