Vice President for Advancement & Strategic Initiative

Clayton State University, a unit of the University System of Georgia, has been recognized repeatedly as a “Top Workplace in Atlanta” by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. Known for being welcoming, diverse, opportunity rich, and committed to academic success, the University was one of 79 higher education institutions across the nation that The Chronicle of Higher Education selected for its 2017 list of “Great Colleges to Work For.”

Dr. Georj L. Lewis joined Clayton State University as its seventh President on February 1, 2023. Currently in his 28th year in the higher education sector, Dr. Lewis was president of Atlanta Metropolitan State College for more than three years prior to the appointment.

Founded in 1969, the University enrolls nearly 6,000 students from 31 states and 39 countries. A Minority Serving Institution (MSI), Clayton State’s student body is 69 percent female and is 62 percent African American, with almost 11 percent Hispanic, 7 percent Asian, and 14 percent White. The average age of students seeking degrees is 26, with approximately 50 percent of the students being traditional age.

Students benefit from personalized attention, small class sizes, outstanding faculty, career guidance and preparation, and a vibrant campus life at Clayton State. The 237 full-time faculty are not only experts in their fields, but also dedicated mentors. Seventy-five percent of the undergraduate instructors hold the highest degrees in their fields.

Emphasizing an environment of experiential-based learning to prepare students to succeed in a diverse society, Clayton State offers 8 graduate degrees, 35 undergraduate degrees, and 6 associate degrees through its four colleges—Arts and Sciences, Business, Health, and Information and Mathematical Sciences. In addition to 22 online degree programs, the University holds classes in McDonough and Peachtree City, Georgia. The University provides opportunities for certificates and exploratory programs through its Continuing and Professional Education unit.

Students have opportunities to engage with the community, to conduct research, and to intern with business, government, or non-profit organizations. The largest number of credit hours are taken by students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences, where almost 60 percent of the enrollment pursues career opportunities in teaching, criminal justice, sciences, and music, to name a few. Approximately 14 percent of course hours are taken in the College of Health, which offers programs in nursing, healthcare management, and dental hygiene. Another 13 percent of credit hours are earned in studies of business administration, logistics, supply chain management, and accounting offered by the College of Business. The remainder of credit hours are earned in studies offered by the College of Information and Mathematical Sciences in the fields of computer science, cyber security, and mathematics. In fiscal year 2021, the University awarded 200 master’s degrees, 1,005 bachelor’s degrees, 74 associate degrees, and 35 certificates.

Beyond the classroom, students are involved in more than 80 student organizations in addition to programming that encourages community involvement and leadership opportunities. The 62,000-square-foot Student Activities Center is the hub for student gatherings, activities, programming, events, fitness, and intramural sports.

The 214-acre campus with six lakes is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the state. It has two residential facilities for students. Laker Hall is home to resident freshmen and provides a traditional dormitory experience. Laker Village houses upper classmen and graduate students in apartments that provide the convenience of living on campus.

An NCAA Division II member, Clayton State fields teams in men’s and women’s soccer, cross country, basketball, indoor track, and outdoor track; men’s golf, and women’s tennis. The Lakers compete in the Peach Belt Conference, one of the top conferences in the nation at the Division II level. In 2011, the women’s basketball program claimed the first NCAA Division II championship in program history.

Clayton State is home to the nationally and internationally renowned Spivey Hall, the finest small performance facility in the southeastern United States. Spivey Hall, a 400-seat, acoustically superior venue, has built a 30-year legacy of artistic excellence, drawing audiences from across the nation and serving as the performance venue for music students of Clayton State.

The Vice President for Advancement and Strategic Initiative reports to and advises the President of Clayton State University, serves on the President’s Executive Cabinet, and supervises the departments of Alumni Relations, University Relations, University Image and Communications, and Development. The VP will manage the programs that will raise the University’s visibility with internal and external constituents and will be involved in major policy decisions for Clayton State University and the Strategic Initiative Division. The Vice President will act on the President’s behalf in all matters pertaining to private sector fundraising and advancement efforts. The position requires strong representation and communication skills, demonstrated fundraising expertise and experience, sound public relations judgement, and the ability to develop and nurture excellent working relationships with the University’s several constituencies including trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, funders, corporate, foundation, community, government officials, civic leaders, and the general public.

Leadership and Planning

Serves on the President’s Executive Cabinet and oversees all fundraising and advancement programs. Initiates and guides the development of appropriate fundraising and advancement policies, procedures, and practices. Develops programs, projects, and initiatives to engage various constituencies in support of the University’s fundraising priorities and in order to achieve stated institutional goals.

Works with and supports University Foundation Board members and other leading volunteers in advancement activities, managing engagement of prospects for major college priorities, providing research, and conferring on strategies.

Works with senior directors to establish division and unit objectives and work plans. Directs the development and management of the division’s annual budget and assigns work/evaluates the performance of the division directors.

Participates in institution-wide strategic planning, identification/assessment of fundraising priorities, and in the execution of relevant programs, projects, and initiatives.

Represents Clayton State University in all external affairs and events involving corporate and foundation representatives, trustees, alumni, and friends of the University.

Leads and develops a highly effective team of people who make successful and lasting contributions to the University’s mission and strategic plan.

Supervises four departments whose staff work to manifest the areas listed below.

Development and Fundraising

Works with the President, members of the Executive cabinet, Deans, department heads, faculty, internal advisory committees, and external volunteer groups to plan and implement fundraising programs, initiatives, grant opportunities, and strategies.

Supports the President in their advancement activities, managing engagement of prospects for major priorities, providing research, and conferring on strategies.

Works in close coordination with Deans, faculty, and program directors to identify key initiatives for private funding.

Oversees and participates in the development of proposals and applications for funding from corporations, foundations, and individuals. Ensures the proposals are monitored from submission through action by the grant applicant, and the appropriate stewardship/follow up are provided including the timely preparation and submission of presorts.

Leads the overall fundraising strategy, including annual fundraising activities, planned gifts activities, and capital campaigns as set forth by the University’s strategic plan.

Actively engages with and manages a portfolio of prospects, including personal cultivation, solicitation, closing of gifts, and stewardship.

Acts as liaison with our 501c3 organization, the Clayton State University Foundation.

Sponsored Research

Oversees sponsored research program development.

Coordinate and support faculty and staff in the preparation of proposal submissions to federal, state, corporate, University, and any other funding agencies, including review of Funding Opportunity Announcements.

Assist in the interpretation and implementation of federal regulations, sponsor requirements, Clayton State Statute, and other University policies and procedures related to sponsored projects administration. Recommend changes in policies and/or procedures as needed.

Foundation Operations

As the liaison between the university and the Clayton State University Foundation, this office manages the relationship with the Foundation Board, comprised of prominent corporate and community volunteers and alumni. This area manages the accounting and financial functions of the Foundation and its LLCs, manages the donor database, as well as maintains all necessary records and files.

Marketing and Communications

Provides broad strategic direction for publicly communicating the goals and priorities of the University.

Provides a standard of excellence in communication activities and establishes an appropriate degree of consistency in both the messages conveyed (branding) and the means/methods employed to convey them.

Invigorates and amplifies University-wide efforts to make Clayton State University more visible through the media.

Creates an environment where opportunities for positive public relations are aggressively pursued and where negative attention is skillfully managed.

Government and External Affairs

Serves as a liaison between the university and elected and local officials and is responsible for overseeing communications and relations between Clayton State and local, state, and federal offices and legislative bodies.

Alumni Affairs

Oversees the university’s alumni engagement and annual giving efforts, including managing the Alumni Association Board, and coordinating alumni programming and initiatives. Acts as liaison to the Clayton State Alumni Association and the Clayton State Young Alumni Council

This job description does not include all duties and responsibilities performed in this position. Clayton State University leadership reserves the right to amend and change the responsibilities to meet department and organizational needs.

Educational Requirements

A minimum of a baccalaureate degree is required, however, an advanced degree, such as a master’s or PhD is preferred.

Required Experience

A minimum of five years of demonstrated leadership management skills as well as senior-level experience and a successful record of fundraising, preferably in a university setting.

Skills in managing capital campaigns, including the planning and implementations.

Exceptional writing and presentation skills

Exceptional public relations talent.

Strong abilities in strategic planning

A working knowledge of budgeting practices and principles.

The compacity to work effectively with volunteer leaders and organizations.

Preferred Educational Qualifications
Master's or PhD preferred

SKILLS
Skills in managing a capital campaign (including the planning and implementation); excellent writing and presentation skills; exceptional public relations talent; strong abilities in strategic planning; a working knowledge of budgeting practices and principles; and the capacity to work effectively with volunteer leaders and organizations.

Clayton State University is an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity and affirmative action institution. It is the policy of the University to recruit, hire, train, promote and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnical origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws (including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Sections 503, and 504, AREA, ADA, E.O. 11246, and Rev. Proc. 75-50). Clayton State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution. For questions or more detailed information regarding this policy please contact the Clayton State University Office of Human Resources at (678) 466-4230. Individuals requiring disability related accommodations for participation in any event or to obtain print materials in an alternative format, please contact the Disability Resource Center at: (678) 466-5445.

This is a supervisory position.
This position has financial responsibilities.
This position will be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).

All candidates are required to submit a cover letter and resume. Candidates should submit application and accompanying materials by Monday, May 22, 2023 for best consideration. If you have any additional questions regarding this position or would like additional information, please contact Megan Postell, Executive Assistant to the Dean - CIMS, at meganpostell@clayton.edu.