Vice President for Advancement

The Vice President for Advancement (VPA) reports to the President of the College and serves as a member of the Cabinet. The VPA manages, plans, and oversees advancement services, alumni and community relations, development, communications and marketing offices to ensure the College's capacity to fulfill its educational mission and vision. After participating in two comprehensive campaigns across 19 years that raised more than $130 million and serving as the VPA for the past nine years, the sitting VPA is departing. The College has accomplished much during her tenure, including new buildings and reaching a high-water mark on the College's endowment. In recent years, the College has undertaken a new strategic plan (Empowering the Present, Building the Future), conducted a campus master plan, and a branding/marketing study will be completed this summer. As the College approaches its bicentennial in 2031, the Board is currently exploring a comprehensive campaign. A feasibility study will be conducted in late spring/summer by an exceptional external firm. The next VPA will bring enthusiasm and experience to complete a successful comprehensive campaign. The new VPA will work collaboratively across campus to complete key components of strategic plan to ensure that we market effectively, increase alumni and community support, and continue to grow the endowment to support our mission.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Analyzes, implements, and provides strategic leadership for public relations and fundraising programs (e.g., annual giving, capital campaigns, planned giving) that align with LaGrange College's mission, goals, and objectives.
• Works closely with volunteer committees, task forces, the President, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership to ensure alignment with the institution's strategic vision and fundraising priorities.
• Serve as exemplary College advocate in the community, with local leaders, the United Methodist Church, business partners, and other leaders to build relationships that closely links the community with the College.
• Assesses the effectiveness of fundraising campaigns and engagement strategies, and ensures all programs reflect the institution's mission and core values.
• Prepares or oversees the preparation of content and materials for approved programs, including proposals, appeal letters, donor recognition, and acknowledgment materials.
• Researches potential donors, corporations, and individuals identified by board members, staff, volunteers, or gift history.
• Stays current on fundraising, marketing, and public relations best practices in the nonprofit sector.
• Develops detailed plans, including budgets, for approved programs and oversees the work of the Alumni, Advancement Services, Development, and Marketing and Communications offices to provide guidance and professional development to meet goals.
• Maintain a dynamic portfolio of high net worth individuals and secure major, capital, and planned gifts, as well as advanced gifts and endowment support.
• Hire, train, inspire, and guide direct reports toward accountable, goal-oriented outcomes.
• Prepare for an upcoming campaign that leverages the constituent-wide celebration of the College's bicentennial through effective planning and coordination.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of all LaGrange College marketing efforts.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES:
The desired candidate is a person of integrity with at least 10 years of fundraising experience in higher education or the nonprofit sector, including comprehensive campaigns. The candidate should excel in strategic thinking, collaboration, and possess a proven track record of leading major fundraising campaigns, achieving or exceeding goals. The candidate should also possess these qualities:

• Excellent executive problem-solving skills and the ability to organize and manage complex functions
• Demonstrated leadership success as an innovator in fundraising, preferably in a private, values-based, tuition-dependent college or university with a working knowledge of best practices in all the areas supervised.
• Proven experience in leading major fundraising campaigns and achieving/exceeding goals
• Exceptional skills in mentoring and supervising a team of professionals from across advancement services, alumni relations, development, and communications/ marketing to ensure the team is effective, motivated, and aligned with institutional goals
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage a variety of audiences effectively
• Experienced in budget development and fiscal oversight for advancement functions
• Strong motivational and problem-solving capabilities with a high degree of integrity and ethics
• Embodies the values of caring, compassion, justice, integrity, competence, and affirmation.
• Engenders a spirit of unity and harmony among the campus community to achieve a common vision.
• Minimum of 10 years in progressive fundraising experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and working knowledge of Raiser's Edge is required.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

LaGrange College welcomes nominations and applications for the Vice President for Advancement. Applications should include a letter of candidacy; a complete resume or vita; and the name and contact information (phone and email) of three references, none of whom will be contacted without the formal permission of the candidate. All materials should be submitted at www.lagrange.edu/jobs. LaGrange will begin reviewing application materials in April. Although application materials will be accepted until the time that a new vice president is selected, candidates should submit materials by April 14, for the most favorable consideration. The desired start date for this position is summer 2025

LaGrange College is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status.