Assistant Dean of Development - SON

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (SON) seeks an ambitious and strategic leader to craft and execute fundraising strategies in support of a compelling vision for the SON’s impact.  SON’s Assistant Dean will be a key leader in Vanderbilt University’s Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) team, a dynamic division that has recently reinvented itself and is growing in team size, fundraising results, and innovation within the industry.

The Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) for Vanderbilt’s School of Nursing is part of the Department of Alumni Relations (DAR) Development Team at Vanderbilt University and is a manager responsible for leading the major gift fundraising efforts to drive greater levels of engagement and support. 

The Assistant Dean participates in setting fundraising goals, manages a portfolio of prospects, oversees a budget for operations and travel, and serves as a senior representative within the college’s leadership teams. The Assistant Dean is also required to develop and maintain a strong working relationship with the Dean of Nursing to facilitate partnerships around goals, priorities and outcomes.

About the Work Unit:

The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs. 

You can visit our website for more information:  https://www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Serving as the chief fundraiser and manager, the Assistant Dean of Development will work collaboratively to enhance SON’s relationship-building efforts with its highest-level donors and prospects. This is an exceptional opportunity for a high-performing fundraiser and manager to lead the team to build a culture of philanthropy across the school. The assistant dean will establish and track progress toward SON’s fundraising goals in collaboration with other DAR teams, Annual Giving, Planned Giving, and the parents program. They will engage the Nursing Dean’s Advisory Council, and the school’s campaign cabinet, and similarly develop and draw on committees and councils of alumni, industry, and other constituents who engage philanthropically with Nursing.

The successful candidate will be intellectual and socially curious, possessing extraordinary communication and emotional intelligence. The Assistant dean of development will have the political savvy and flexibility to navigate a complex academic community, and the desire and ability to build bridges and strong working relationships with all members of the operation. They will be a collaborative and innovative leader with a comprehensive knowledge of all major advancement functions and substantial strategic planning experience; personal success securing major and principal gifts; and the proven ability to motivate and engage both internal and external stakeholders. Design, implement, and coordinate Nursing’s development programs, consistent with the overall development program at Vanderbilt University. 

Secure major and principal gifts. 

The Assistant Dean serves as a major gift officer for SON – driving forward the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of approximately 65 prospects that are capable of making gifts of $100,000 or greater. Outright gifts, pledges, and planned gifts at this level are all part of the Assistant Dean’s portfolio.

Increase the overall fundraising success for Nursing. 

The Assistant Dean is charged with overseeing the comprehensive fundraising program that will drive larger success in securing funds to support key priorities, which could include, but are not limited to -- endowed scholarships and chairs, academic program support, research funding, and capital projects. The Assistant Dean also works closely with the Associate Dean of the College of Connected Computing and DAR Leadership in the goal setting process each fiscal year to set targets that are both ambitious and achievable.

Serve as liaison to other development teams, university offices, and school leadership. 

To maximize the success of Nursing’s efforts, the Assistant Dean will work in collaboration with other members of DAR staff to be successful and support university-wide objectives, along with a commitment to being donor-centric. Offices that contribute to the success of Nursing’s development outcomes include Principal Gifts, Annual Giving, Planned Giving, Research and Prospect Development, Parents Campaign, Athletics Development, Marketing & Communications, Alumni Engagement, and Stewardship. 

In many cases, DAR colleagues serve as extensions of the Schools’ development staff.  Collaboration with other schools, colleges, and programs as well as developing prospect strategies for the effective utilization of the Dean, and possibly the Provost and Chancellor, around the most significant fundraising opportunities that support the academic and research mission of Nursing is also part of the Assistant Dean’s role.  As a member of the Deans’ leadership teams, the Assistant Dean will need to establish strong relationships with Nursing’s senior staff in admissions, finance, communication, career services, and faculty affairs. Strategic planning and advice are highly valued by the Dean, as these are skills frequently utilized to compliment the School’s efforts beyond development.

Establish oneself as a knowledgeable staff member by:

• Attaining an in-depth understanding of the development programs and their goals in the School of Nursing.
• Collaborating with DAR staff to build and maintain best practices in soliciting major gifts

Enhance departmental performance standards by:

• Maintaining a level of reliability that generates stability in the department
• Meeting or exceeding department performance standards
• Fostering a spirit of cooperation
• Understanding and effectively communicating departmental policy and procedures
• Clearly communicating concerns and questions to team
• Conveying thoughts/ideas to the leadership team on improving departmental performance

Approach each situation with a professional attitude by:

• Exercising good judgment in discussing issues and results with the team
• Maintaining composure and a calm demeanor during challenging situations
• Respecting the need for confidentiality of donors and colleagues
• Performing other duties as assigned

Work Environment:

This position will be located in the Nashville area. The work environment will by hybrid, where you can expect to be in the office approximately 1 day per week, or more depending on business needs.

Compensation: This position includes eligibility for an annual performance-based bonus of up to 15%, or more, of your annual salary, contingent on meeting predetermined goals. The exact bonus amount will be determined based on your ability to successfully deliver on balanced performance indicators throughout the fiscal year.  Other eligibility factors apply.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position has supervisory responsibility of the Nursing development team.

This position has 3 direct reports: 

• Associate Director of Development
• Senior Director of Alumni Relations
• Administrative

This position will report administratively and functionally to the Associate Dean of the College of Connected Computing and will partner closely with the Dean of the School of Nursing. 

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, is necessary
• Master’s degree, or the equivalent, is preferred

Experience and Skills:

• 10 years of relevant experience, or the equivalent is necessary.
• Seven or more years of development experience preferred, with a background in a higher education setting.
• The Assistant Dean must be a seasoned and polished fundraising executive who understands and is able to articulate the nature and importance of a major research university, and in particular, the significant role of the School of Nursing within this larger academic community. 
• Willingness and ability to personally solicit gifts of $100,000 and larger.
• Demonstrated interest in business and financial markets.
• Excellent organizational skills, oral and written communications skills and the ability to articulate the needs, interests and accomplishments of Vanderbilt University to a wide range of audiences.
• Interpersonal skills and judgment suitable for exercising appropriate discretion and demeanor when dealing with alumni, parents, friends, and employees.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in the handling of confidential information.
• Ability to use current computer technology, such as Windows, Excel, Word, and Vanderbilt’s donor management system.
• A proven record of achievement in major and principal gift fund raising from individuals.
• Ability to plan, articulate and implement a major gift program that will include not only alumni, parents and friends, but also corporate, foundation and planned giving.
• Experience in managing and leading volunteers and/or boards.
• Superb written and oral communication skills, specifically in the areas of proposal and presentation development.
• Demonstrated success in working across teams and disciplines – facilitating solutions, designing new ideas, and driving forward priorities.
• A working understanding of education and research that will help drive forward new interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Familiarity with Vanderbilt and/or solid understanding of a major research university environment is preferred. 
• The capacity to perform in an intellectually rigorous and complex academic environment.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to ever changing priorities are essential.
• Exhibit personal characteristics enabling effective interaction with important constituencies and possess a genuine commitment to the advancement of education, research, and to the principles governing Development and Alumni Relations.
• Driving is considered an essential job function for this role. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. Vanderbilt University engages a third party to provide up-to-date notifications regarding negative changes to motor vehicle records.
• Routine overnight travel is required.
• Some evening and weekend work, as needed.

Salary : $100,000