Vice President for Philanthropy and Engagement

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Position Purpose:

Aurora University (AU) invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice President for Philanthropy and Engagement (VPPE). Located in Aurora, Illinois, near Chicago, AU is a four-year, private, non-profit institution offering degrees at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. Enrolling approximately 5,900 students, AU is a “private university with a public mission” and is known for its singular commitment to students and their success. The VPPE is expected to take office in Summer 2025. Please review the position profile (Download PDF reader) for more information.

Essential Job Functions:

Reporting directly to President Susana Rivera-Mills as a member of the Cabinet, the new VPPE will oversee the office of Philanthropy and Engagement which includes Alumni Relations and Engagement, Annual Giving, Major Gifts and Planned Giving, Corporate and Foundation Giving, Comprehensive Fundraising Campaigns, Government Relations, and Philanthropic Operations. This position offers an extraordinary opportunity to shape AU’s philanthropic strategy, build partnerships, and lead impactful fundraising efforts in support of AU’s inclusive programs. The incoming VPPE will be responsible for the vision, leadership, and direction for all initiatives aimed at enhancing Aurora University’s development and philanthropic efforts.

AU seeks an individual who is an innovative and dynamic leader who will partner with the President, staff, alumni, and the broader community to advance its mission, priorities, and core values. Working closely with university leadership, faculty, and staff to align philanthropy efforts with institutional priorities, the VPPE will have the opportunity to build a Philanthropy and Engagement team, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. Creating and executing a holistic philanthropy plan that supports the university’s mission and strategic initiatives, the VPPE will oversee all aspects of fundraising and alumni engagement to enhance the university’s financial health and reputation.

Essential Job Requirements:

A minimum of ten years of nonprofit fundraising experience and a minimum of five years broad-based leadership experience are required.

Skills:

The search for Aurora University’s next Vice President for Philanthropy and Engagement is being assisted by Maya Ranchod Kirkhope at Academic Search. Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted in confidence to AuroraVPPE@academicsearch.org.

Though applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled, only those materials received by May 2, 2025 are assured full consideration.

The pay range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted amount the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The final pay rate will not be below the lowest pay rate listed herein.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Aurora University offers competitive, flexible benefits to eligible employees.

• Health Insurance
  Choice of HMO or PPO offered through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.
• Dental and Vision Insurance
  Choice of two dental plans and vision insurance offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Life Insurance and AD&D
  1.5 times annual salary, dependent on age. Additional life insurance also may be purchased for self, spouse, and children.
• Long Term Disability
  60% of salary, taxable and nontaxable options.
• TIAA Retirement Account
  The University offers a 403b retirement plan, administered by TIAA. Matching contributions offered first day of employment to eligible employees, at the discretion of the University and Board of Directors.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  FSAs are available for medical costs and dependent care costs.
• Paid Time Off
  Vacation, personal, and sick leave are provided to eligible employees.
• Holidays
  The university observes nine major holidays where the university is closed.
• Tuition Assistance
  Tuition assistance for AU undergraduate courses is available to eligible employees and eligible family members beginning the term following one (1) year of regular, full-time employment. Tuition assistance for graduate programs paid at 60% for employee following Senior Leadership approval.
• Tuition Exchange Consortiums
  AU is a member of the Tuition Exchange (TE) and the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP) enabling full-time employees and eligible family members to be eligible for tuition assistance at more than 600 universities nationwide. Eligibility for the CIC-TEP and TE programs is one (1) year of regular, full-time employment as of 8/31.