Demo

Assistant Dean of Development, SON

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN Full Time
POSTED ON 2/20/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 3/19/2025
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.

,

Vanderbilt is a community of talented and diverse staff & faculty!

Role

At Vanderbilt University, our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330 acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:

  • Working and growing together as a community of communities... we are One Vanderbilt.
  • Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self, while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
  • Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

Salary : $100,000

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