Vice-President for Advancement

Application Deadline: February 19, 2025

Salary: $170,000-$175,000

About Arkansas Tech:

Founded in 1909, Arkansas Tech University is a comprehensive public institution with a rich history, maintaining regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and classification as a Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) level III institution. ATU was ranked the No. 1 regional public university in Arkansas by U.S. News and World Report in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and CollegeNET recognizes ATU as the No. 1 institution in Arkansas on its Social Mobility Index. Since 2019, Arkansas Tech has been the host institution for the prestigious Arkansas Governor’s School. The 559-acre Russellville campus, located in the scenic Arkansas River Valley between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, is just one hour from the capital city of Little Rock. Russellville features a charming blend of historic and modern architecture as well as the recreational opportunities provided by Lake Dardanelle and several state parks. Offering more than 100 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degree and certificate programs across five academic colleges and two campuses, Arkansas Tech strives to provide a solid educational foundation for life-long learning to a diverse community. For more information about Arkansas Tech University and the surrounding community, please visit our website at www.atu.edu/hr to find our “Live Here” informational resources.

Position Summary:

The Vice President for Advancement (VPA) is responsible for promoting and providing private support for Arkansas Tech University. This position is a member of the Executive Council and reports directly to the President. The VPA furthers the mission and vision of Arkansas Tech by providing executive leadership, strategic direction, and management oversight for all aspects of the University's development and alumni initiatives, including fundraising and cultivating constituency relations. The VPA works closely with the President to develop strategically their advancement efforts in the cultivation and solicitation of the University's most significant donors. The VPA will establish challenging goals and evaluate program effectiveness for the University's overall fundraising and development program. The VPA also serves as the Executive Vice President of the Arkansas Tech University Foundation and as liaison with the Arkansas Tech University Alumni Association.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Assist the President and other University administrators in establishing the University's priorities for fundraising and advancement goals and objectives that are consistent with the University's mission and vision.

Direct all activities toward the successful attainment of the above-referenced goals.

Organize, hire, and train appropriate staff, and develop plans and operations for a strong Division of Advancement.

Provide leadership, supervision, and management for the Division of Advancement.

Work with appropriate University personnel and alumni of the University to identify major gift donors, to generate prospect research, develop cultivation strategies, and assist in soliciting major gifts for the University.

Serve as a liaison for the University with the activities of the board of directors for the Arkansas Tech University Foundation in the role of Executive Vice President.

Supervise activities, events, and programs relating to the University through the Arkansas Tech University Alumni Association.

Other projects as assigned by the President.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to organize, hire, and train staff

Ability to plan, develop, and manage a budget for a 501c(3) organization

Excellent communication skills

Ability to work with a board of directors

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Demonstrated ability to develop and lead a highly effective advancement team, to delegate effectively, to develop performance standards and metrics, and to hold direct reports accountable.

Demonstrated experience in managing and forging relationships with multiple donor sources, and soliciting and securing leadership gifts.

Experience leading the preparation and execution of comprehensive university fundraising campaign.

A minimum of three years of senior level development experience that includes major gift fundraising and management, preferably in a higher education setting.

Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, including evidence of the ability to facilitate collaboration with and among diverse faculty, staff, administrators, and students across the University.

Strategic vision toward advancing the University through development initiatives, capital and annual campaigns, and effective procedures.

Strong experience working with boards and board committees, updating policy, and implementing board directives within an organization.

Ability to build strong partnerships with academic partners across campus and deploy key stakeholders for fundraising and engagement.

Ability to enlist and deploy strong volunteer leadership for engagement opportunities.

Knowledge of endowment management practices and familiarity with securities and other investment vehicles.

Strong personal work ethic and unquestionable integrity.

Demonstrated success in all phases of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts.

Support the mission and vision of Arkansas Tech University, and promote the university's positive reputation in the community.

Preferred Qualifications:

Advanced degree from an accredited college or university.

Willingness to travel around the region and other areas of the country.

A clear vision for the role of a comprehensive national public university in teaching, research, and economic development.

Skilled decision-maker, with integrity in all decision-making and management.

A self-starter who seeks and seizes opportunity.

Work Location, Environment, and Physical Demands:

Position will be based on Arkansas Tech University's main campus in Russellville, AR.

This is a typical office environment.

Some work may require standing during various events and lifting up to twenty-five pounds.

What to Submit:

Resume, Cover Letter, and Five Professional References

To be considered for the position of Vice-President for Advancement, all applications must be received and processed through our applicant tracking system Cornerstone prior to the closing date on February 19, 2025, before 6:00 pm central time.

Please go to https://atu.csod.com/ats/careersite/search.aspx?site=1&c=atu to