Vice President for Advancement

Nebraska Wesleyan University in the search for its next Vice President of Advancement who will s serve as an action-oriented leader, driving Nebraska Wesleyan University's mission forward by transforming its culture of philanthropy and fostering meaningful connections with key stakeholders. This pivotal role will shape and implement a strategic, results-driven fundraising program, including the design and execution of a comprehensive campaign.

This is an exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking, passionate advancement professional to lead transformative impact while helping to shape the future of an institution deeply committed to excellence and service.

The Vice President for Advancement reports to Nebraska Wesleyan's President, Dr. Darrin Good, and oversees a growing advancement team of 17 professionals, including six direct reports. NWU offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

Nebraska Wesleyan University is a thriving, comprehensive, liberal arts-based institution with approximately 1,600 traditional and graduate students. Its academic programs are rooted in an enduring commitment to excellence; a belief in the power of personal attention; and a strong tradition of shared governance.

Primary responsibilities of the Vice President for Advancement include:

• Serving as the institution's Chief Development Officer by establishing and maintaining productive relationships with alumni, donors, and prospective donors;
• Strengthening Nebraska Wesleyan's culture of philanthropy by demonstrating the highest ethical standards and continuing to build a donor-centric approach to impact and giving;
• Designing, implementing, and regularly evaluating development strategies and tactics for all philanthropic constituencies and making adjustments as needed;
• Motivating and leading the advancement team;
• Serving as a campus philanthropic thought leader while supporting the President's development activity;
• Supporting Board of Governors members and other key volunteers as needed to advance their relationships with donors;
• Engaging and supporting the Board of Governors' Advancement Committee
• Establishing goals that meet resource needs, designing plans to meet those goals, tracking progress toward success, and accepting individual and team accountability;
• Increasing the effectiveness and reach of advancement programs by enlisting internal and external partners including alumni leaders, faculty, and staff;
• Ensuring ongoing and appropriate stewardship of donor gifts;
• Serving as an engaged and collaborative member of the President's senior management team, providing strategic input and supportive decision-making on behalf of the University;
• Providing professional management of all development operations including budgeting, policies, systems, and reporting.

In addition, a key priority of the Vice President will be to design, implement, and launch a comprehensive campaign to secure major gift support for Nebraska Wesleyan's strategic goals. As part of the comprehensive campaign, plans are well underway for a capital campaign to build a Nursing, Health Sciences and Wellness facility.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required for this position as is at least seven years of senior advancement experience.
• A commitment to intellectual and personal growth within the context of liberal arts education and in an environment of Christian concern consistent with Nebraska Wesleyan's mission and vision;
• Experience building a holistic advancement program that has been successful in achieving institutional vision and goals through activation of philanthropic support;
• Experience as a relationship-based fundraiser - ideally in higher education - working alongside donors to facilitate gifts that are meaningful to them;
• Experience as an effective leader and energetic motivator of teams and people with a history of progressively increasing responsibilities and success in planning, supervising, and carrying out the work of an Advancement Office;
• Experience with major facilities projects, annual funds, and comprehensive campaigns;
• An affinity for working cooperatively and effectively with volunteers and boards;
• An ability to provide leadership in creation of a compelling case for support;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as excellent interpersonal skills;
• Experience using data to assess, track, report, and improve results; and
• Personal leadership qualities suitable to collaborating with a strong group of vice presidents.

Commitment to Diversity:

Diversity is a core value of Nebraska Wesleyan University's mission and we embrace it as a source of strength. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how they are able to enhance and embrace this University core value in a diversity statement (no more than one page) submitted as part of the application.

Nebraska Wesleyan University provides equal educational and employment opportunities to qualified persons in all areas of university operation without regard to religion or creed, age, genetic information, gender identity and expression, sexual identity and orientation, veteran status, disability, marital status, race, or national or ethnic origin, in compliance with state and federal laws, including but not limited to Title XII, Title IX, and the ADA. E-Verify, EOE.

How to Apply:

All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission and vision of Nebraska Wesleyan University as well as information in this prospectus. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how they enhance and embrace the University's core values in a diversity statement submitted as part of their cover letter.

Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the successful candidate has been selected. Please submit documents at the following URL: https://nebrwesleyan.applicantpro.com/jobs/