Associate Vice President for Advancement

As a senior leader within Lafayette College’s Advancement team, the Associate Vice President (AVP) for Advancement will play a transformative role in shaping the future of philanthropy and alumni engagement at the College. Reporting directly to the Vice President, the AVP will drive innovation, operational excellence, and strategic alignment to achieve the College’s ambitious goals.

The AVP will oversee critical functions including advancement and campaign operations, donor relations and stewardship, research, prospect development, and advancement administration. With a focus on leveraging data, analytics, technology, and process improvement, the AVP will ensure best-in-class fundraising practices and deliver exceptional experiences for donors and stakeholders alike.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Strategy:

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for all advancement and campaign operations, including data management, gift processing, reporting and analytics, prospect management, and technology platforms.
• Collaborate with the Vice President for Advancement and other senior leaders to develop and implement strategic plans that support the college’s advancement goals.
• Serve as a key advisor on operational processes and technology and related matters and ensure alignment with advancement best practices.

Donor Relations and Stewardship:

• Lead the Donor Relations & Stewardship team in the development and execution of a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program that acknowledges, engages, and recognizes donors at all giving levels.
• Develop strategies to enhance donor retention and engagement through consistent and meaningful stewardship touchpoints, ensuring that donors feel valued and connected to and inspired by the institution’s mission.
• Collaborate with the Alumni Engagement and Communications teams to create impactful stewardship reports, donor recognition events, and other initiatives that demonstrate the impact of giving.
• Ensure stewardship practices align with donor intent and comply with gift agreements and institutional policies.

Data Management and Reporting:

• Oversee the integrity and management of donor and alumni data, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Lead the development of data analysis and reporting capabilities, providing actionable insights to inform fundraising strategies, donor engagement, and campaign planning.
• Partner with colleagues to create and maintain dashboards and reports that track key performance indicators (KPIs) for the Advancement division.

Prospect Management and Research:

• Direct the prospect research and management team, ensuring a robust pipeline of major and planned gift prospects.
• Oversee the development and implementation of prospect identification, tracking, and management processes, aligning efforts with institutional priorities and campaign goals.
• Collaborate with frontline fundraisers to ensure the effective use of prospect data in relationship-building and solicitation strategies.

Technology and Systems Management:

• Lead the selection, implementation, and optimization of advancement technologies, including CRM systems, online giving platforms, and data analytics tools.
• Ensure advancement systems are effectively integrated with other institutional databases and platforms, in close partnership with the IT department.
• Evaluate and enhance the functionality of existing technology solutions to support evolving needs in data management, donor engagement, and communication.

Gift Administration and Processing:

• Oversee the gift processing and records management team, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant processing of charitable contributions.
• Develop and implement systems to enhance donor stewardship and recognition efforts, ensuring all donors receive appropriate receipting, acknowledgment, and reporting.
• Collaborate with Finance and Advancement teams to ensure accurate recording and reporting of contributions and support reconciliation processes.

Advancement Team Management and Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of advancement professionals, fostering a collaborative and results-driven work environment.
• Establish professional development opportunities and training to ensure staff are knowledgeable about best practices in advancement operations and data management.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, encouraging innovative approaches to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in advancement operations, data management, or a related field, preferably in a higher education or nonprofit setting.
• Proven track record of successfully implementing and managing complex databases and CRM systems, and using data to inform strategy.
• Demonstrated experience in leading a team, including hiring, mentoring, and managing staff performance.
• Strong understanding of fundraising processes, donor stewardship, and prospect research and management.
• Must be current with Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Voluntary Support of Education Survey (VSE), state and federal legislation, and all industry best practices.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead and exercise sound judgment and discretion.
• A track record of innovation.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working on capital campaigns or large-scale fundraising initiatives.
• Knowledge of industry best practices in data security, privacy, and compliance.
• Advanced skills in Excel, data visualization tools, and reporting software.
• Knowledge of capabilities and functions of Advancement CRMs to ensure accurate and efficient use of system functionality.

Working Conditions:

• Full-time position, with occasional evening and weekend work required to support, fundraising, events and deadlines.

Compensation:

• Salary is commensurate with experience and includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Application:
Please provide a cover letter, resume and contact information for three references.http://apply.interfolio.com/159976

Lafayette College is committed to creating a diverse community: one that is inclusive and responsive, and is supportive of each and all of its faculty, students, and staff. The College seeks to promote diversity in its many manifestations. These include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and place of origin. All members of the College community share a responsibility for creating, maintaining, and developing a learning environment in which difference is valued, equity is sought, and inclusiveness is practiced.