Vice President of Advancement
Eastern Michigan University

Give Rises' Mission:

At Eastern Michigan University, their mission is to supply one thing to every student: success.

Success that can only come from a top-notch education. Success that’s inspired by a culture of inclusion. Success that happens personally, blossoms professionally, and lasts a lifetime.

The future vision EMU has for their university demands that they give their students every tool they need to become engineers, teachers, scientists, inventors, artists, entrepreneurs, and leaders. It asks that they continue to put our students first. And it implores them to open doors to success, well beyond the boundaries of campus.

We have a fantastic vision for the future of EMU. One that includes supporting each student’s success, advancing our programs of distinction, and helping our students excel beyond the classroom.

Support Each Student’s Success:

Eastern wants to give students the support they need — financial, academic, and social — to thrive there.

As the Chief Advancement Officer for EMU, the Vice President of Advancement will oversee all development and alumni relations strategies, operations, and campaign planning processes needed to help the University achieve its short- and long-term goals.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• As a member of the President’s Leadership Team, work to advance the mission, vision and short- and long-term strategic goals of the University, maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders across campus, including members of the board of regents and key alumni, parents, and friends.
• Direct, manage, and coordinate a comprehensive ongoing fund-raising and alumni relations program for the University, including annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, major gifts, planned giving, and research and advancement services.
• Oversee, design, implement, and assess a comprehensive institutional advancement strategic plan and program.
• Establish and implement annual goals, metrics, objectives, tasks, and evaluation procedures for each department within the Advancement Division.  Last year advancement raised $20.3M in philanthropic support. FY23 goal is to generate $15.5M.
• Determine with the president annual institutional fundraising goals, objectives, and work plans, utilizing best practices in annual, leadership, and planned gift programs, as well as alumni engagement and donor stewardship initiatives.
• When applicable, design, launch, and execute the University’s major capital campaigns on a frequency that is aligned with typical advancement cycles and institutional imperatives.
• Manage, advance and inspire a team of Advancement and Alumni Relations staff of 28.
• Represent the University to the corporate, foundation, donor, and alumni communities, working closely with the President and other University administrators, faculty, and staff, the Foundation Board of Trustees, the Alumni Association, and other fund-raising and alumni volunteers.
• Utilize dynamic and best practice processes in all phases of donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Advance and strengthen an internal and external culture of philanthropy for all community stakeholders. Maintain collaborative relationships with leaders across campus to advance shared goals and objectives.
• Oversee alumni programs, expansion of alumni involvement and support, and program evaluation/assessment for 128,000 alumni base.
• Ensure that the President, key faculty/senior administrators, and key volunteers are effectively and professionally supported in development and alumni relations activities; provide focus for their efforts to ensure that their time spent is productive and meaningful.
• Benchmark EMU’s development and alumni relations programs and performance against best-in-class examples among peer and aspirant institutions.
• Serve as the Executive Director of the EMU Foundation with oversight of all Foundation reporting and compliance activities. Stay abreast of best practices and processes and improve and enhance programs as required.
• Serve as a member of the President’s Executive Council and perform administrative duties as required. Manage fundraising advisory boards consisting of dedicated volunteers.
• Work closely with the University’s Board of Regents on development and alumni objectives as needed. Perform related duties as required.
   

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree of study preferred.
• Ten (10) years of experience in non-profit fundraising and/or alumni relations is required; two (2) years of experience as a chief advancement officer and/or chief alumni relations officer is preferred.
• Experience leading, or being a part of, a capital campaign aimed at securing transformational gifts during a time of rapid growth is required.
• A demonstrated ability and successful track record of planning, executing, and successfully closing significant major and principal gifts in a non-profit institution is required; meaningful experience working in an institution of higher education is desirable.  Must be adept at interacting with and influencing high level donors, partners, and executives. 
• A track record of success in a supervisory role leading a development operation is required.
• An approach to management that brings out the best in staff and yields pride, ownership, accountability, and a sense of team effort is required.
• A track record of establishing and enforcing appropriate metrics for measurement of divisional, team, and individual performance is required.
• A deep appreciation for the mission and aspirations of Eastern Michigan University, what Eastern is, and its importance to the University’s alumni, donors, and friends is required.
• A keen eye for operational efficiency and optimal use of resources, and the ability to plan, monitor, and tightly manage a budget, is required.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to influence and inspire, with an understanding and respect for the culture at EMU, are required.
• Ability to work and interact with Board of Regents and the Foundation Board of Trustees on Foundation/Advancement and Alumni Relations initiatives is required.
• The intellectual depth necessary to understand and translate academic, technical, and other information for a variety of audiences, while navigating through ambiguity is required.
• Honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, and perspective, and a very strong work ethic, supported by commitment and follow-through, are required.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout Michigan and the United States are required.

Eastern Michigan University is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and seeks to employ individuals based upon their qualifications, experience, and ability to perform the position responsibilities.

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