Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Job Description

Conveniently located in Morris County with easy access to Routes 287, 280, 80, 10, 24, and the Convent Station train station, Saint Elizabeth University which was established in 1899 by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth resides on 150 acres of picturesque rolling hills and lush woodlands. The University offers a quality education in the Catholic tradition with a firm foundation in the liberal arts and serves a diverse population, including the needs of women, students of color, those who lack adequate financial resources, and those who would benefit from a nurturing, supportive collegiate environment.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement:

Founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1899, Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) is a community of learning in the Catholic liberal arts tradition for students of diverse ages, backgrounds, and cultures. SEU is devoted to providing educational and career training opportunities to traditionally underserved communities and is characterized by small class sizes and a highly communal student-centered culture emphasizing individualized attention.

SEU is a federally designated Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving Institution. Our traditional undergraduate population is 38 percent Black and our total enrollment is 30 percent Hispanic, while 47 percent of our students are first-generation college students. In addition, 76 percent of our first-time freshmen are low-income students eligible for federal Pell funding; many come to us with unique challenges related to their financial, social, academic, mental and physical health.

Saint Elizabeth University seeks to foster and maintain a diverse campus community through inclusive excellence and equal opportunity. SEU has long preserved its legacy of providing quality education and access for underserved populations, particularly in fields and career paths traditionally beyond the reach of marginalized and often disenfranchised communities. In our traditional co-educational undergraduate enrollment today, women outnumber men two-to-one. SEU has a long legacy of educating women who thrive in STEM and healthcare professions and continues to produce diverse women and men as leaders equipped with a deeper appreciation of inclusion in its various forms. We strive to ensure that all graduates realize their potential through hard work and an exceptional education that is unimpeded by irrational self-doubt or societal biases.

The Vice President for Institutional Advancement is the chief advancement officer for the University and advises the President on all matters pertaining to the management and operation of university development, alumni relations, as well as community and donor relations.

The Vice President for Institutional Advancement provides strategic vision, leadership, and policy guidance for the following administrative units and functions while securing strong financial support for annual operations, programs, and capital and endowment growth.

• Alumni Relations

• Advancement Services

• Donor Relations and Special Events

• Development

• External Relations

As a member of the President’s Cabinet, the VPIA assists in setting strategic direction for the campus and ensures all unit goals are aligned with the mission, vision and strategic plan of the University. This position requires the ability to travel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Advises the President, senior leadership, and the Board of Trustees on issues relating to university development and advancement by making presentations at meetings of the Board of Trustees, and preparing reports, recommendations, findings and other correspondence as required.

Facilitates the University's achievement of its development goals and objectives by serving as the chief fund-raising officer for the University, directing a development strategy that includes annual fund campaigns, leadership annual giving, comprehensive campaigns, special-need campaigns, and planned and deferred gifts, developing and maintaining positive relationships with alumni and donors, focusing effort toward and/or developing proposals for potential donors, and hosting/sponsoring recognition presentations to donors.

Develops and maintains a properly coordinated program of university advancement and development by organizing the various departments of Institutional Advancement in a logical, non-duplicative, and efficient manner that best meets the work requirements of the division, monitoring workloads throughout the division and prioritizing staffing needs accordingly to assure success, and assuming ultimate responsibility for the units and functions included in Institutional Advancement.

Ensures divisional support of the mission of the University by reviewing and approving unit plans, goals, and objectives, designing systems of effective controls to guide work toward expected outcomes, and evaluating progress towards their accomplishment.

Facilitates programs and initiatives designed to engage University alumni, supporters, and the external community. Such programs and initiatives focus on engaging widespread and diverse participation, and intentional efforts are made to include historically underrepresented groups in engagement opportunities.

Promotes a positive image and positive external relations for the University by communicating and interacting with city, state, and other officials in matters related to University Advancement, and representing the President and the University in various community, state and regional activities designed to promote Saint Elizabeth University in particular and higher education in general.

Encourages high morale and the delivery of quality service by each employee within the Division for Institutional Advancement through a leadership style that causes employees to strive enthusiastically toward the accomplishment of established goals and objectives.

Enables employees in the division to perform assigned tasks by assuming budgetary responsibility for all of Institutional Advancement, coordinating the annual budget development, and retaining executive authority over all departmental budgets within the Division.

Ensures that miscellaneous assignments related to University Advancement are completed in the best interest of the University by accepting and accomplishing tasks that are delegated by the President.

Facilitates a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as directed.

Contributes to the University's overall success by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the President.

Qualifications

Advanced degree with a minimum of five years in progressively responsible positions in advancement, preferably in higher education.

A proactive, innovative, goal-oriented, and data-informed advancement leader with demonstrated success in building, developing, and leading a diverse team that strives to achieve and exceed fundraising goals.

A confident, flexible and collaborative leader who brings exceptional skills as an active listener, consensus builder, and effective advisor on short-and-long-term advancement strategies and goals.

Strong oral and written communication skills are required. Management skills are required, particularly goal setting, budgeting, supervision, and evaluation. Functional knowledge of Raiser’s Edge products is a plus.

Why Choose Saint Elizabeth University?

Saint Elizabeth University offers a positive work environment, dedicated leadership, faculty and staff who are committed to excellence, and an attractive benefits and compensation package.

Full-time Faculty and Staff Benefits Include:

Employer-Subsidized Health Care Plan

Dental and Vision Plan

Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts

403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Match

Group Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance at No Cost

Supplemental Insurance Available for Employee, Spouse and Dependents

Other Voluntary Plans (Legal, Identify-Theft, Accident, Critical Care, etc.)

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition Remission for Employee, Spouse and/or Dependents

Tuition Exchange Program offering Reciprocal Scholarships Nationwide at 600+ Colleges and Universities

14 Paid Holidays, as well as the Week after Christmas Off with Pay

Paid Days Off on Fridays in the Summer Months

Birthday as a Paid Day Off

Generous Vacation Policy

New Jersey Earned Sick Leave

Employee Discount Program

Important to Know:

The health and safety of students, faculty and staff are a University priority. Please be advised that the University reserves the right to modify all policies and procedures related to COVID-19 based upon local conditions and emerging guidance from local, state and federal agencies.

How to Apply

Applications should consist of a cover letter, resume, proof of certifications and three professional references with email addresses and/or telephone numbers.

Saint Elizabeth University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/ Veterans/ Disability Employer.

Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Saint Elizabeth University is a designated minority serving undergraduate institution.

EEO/AA Statement:

Saint Elizabeth University aspires to create a community based on the collaboration, innovation, creativity and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas - an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspective, backgrounds and experiences flourish. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all individuals feel and experience an environment where they are welcome, safe, secure, and heard. As such All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other classification protected by Federal, state, or local law. Any information provided will be used only in the compliance of data for EEO/Affirmative Action reporting. Completion of this data is voluntary and will not affect your opportunity for employment and/or terms or conditions of employment.