VP for Advancement & Alumni Engagement

Job Description

VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT & ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

Bethany College Lindsborg, Kansas

Job Description

Bethany College seeks a Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement. This position represents the College in the community, the state and the USA. Reporting to the President, this position serves as a key leadership team member and an active participant in making strategic decisions affecting Bethany College. In partnership with the President, the Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement (VPAAE) is responsible for all fundraising activities and for oversight of alumni engagement and services.

Travel will be essential in serving and expanding the Bethany College donor base to meet each year’s fundraising goals. Donor visits, alumni events and presentations to corporate, foundation and government funding sources are included in the VPAAE’s annual travel component. The VPAAE and the President will set goals each year for the quantity of visits and solicitations expected for the role.

The VPAAE will forge new relationships to increase Bethany College's visibility, impact, and financial resources and design and implement a comprehensive plan for developing key external alliances by cultivating individual and philanthropic support. The VPAAE will be responsible for establishing and implementing the infrastructure needed to meet the fiscal-year budget goal for unrestricted gift income. Further, the VPAAE will plan each year’s capital and programmatic goals through the solicitation of major gifts, grants, special events, and corporate and foundation support.

The VPAAE will expand and diversify Bethany College's donor base and work closely with other team members to secure funding for new initiatives. In addition, the VPAAE will work closely with the Board of Directors and support Board members as they take on a more active fundraising role. The VPAAE will work even more closely with and report quarterly to the Board’s Advancement and Alumni Engagement Committee.

Planned giving will be another component of the overall Advancement operation overseen by the VPAAE, who will maintain a Book of Expectancies that includes all pledged or anticipated estate gifts. The amount of funds raised by Bethany College is expected to increase in future years as the VPAAE systematically and effectively strengthens the organization's overall fundraising capacity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Support and partner with the President and strategic Board and Cabinet members on all major fundraising initiatives.

Collaborate with the Advancement and Alumni Engagement team to develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy to include corporate, foundation, and government grants.

Develop and execute all proposals with a long-term relationship management approach.

Oversee research funding sources and trends, with foresight, to help position Bethany College ahead of funding changes or trends.

Approve Alumni Engagement strategies and participate in as many alumni activities and events as possible.

With the advancement staff, ensure accurate donor database management, financial records, and a well-oiled gift acknowledgement process.

Provide and present statistical analysis to the Board and senior leaders regarding current and future fundraising trends.

Develop and implement a stewardship program aimed at enriching stronger relationships with donors.

Monitor and report regularly on the progress of the development program to the Bethany College Board, Trustees, and President.

Identify, develop and mentor the Advancement and Alumni teams.

Maintain a solid relationship with the Central States and Arkansas/Oklahoma Synods of the ELCA.

Strengthen existing or create new donor constituencies, such as a “Most Years Giving to Bethany” club; a “Lifetime Giving” association; or an Estate Gift Planning” society. Also, develop a publicity campaign to revive the Carl A. Swensson

Develop an advancement marketing/communications vehicle, such as quarterly “Bethany Insiders’ Newsletter,” to those who contribute $1,000 or more each year.

Consider initiating a new donor constituency group, such as a “President’s Council,” consisting of donors who commit to a five-year pledge of at least $1,000 per year, and then ensure a campus meeting of that group twice a year.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Five or more years of professional experience in nonprofit organizations; demonstrated success in a development function (managing and forging relationships with multiple donor sources).

Tangible experience of having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time.

Commitment to consistent (not necessarily constant) travel to meet the fundraising objectives of Bethany College’s annual budget.

Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships.

Strong organizational and time management skills with appropriate attention to detail.

Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives and who can relate well with a wide range of donor personalities.

Ability to work independently without close oversight and as a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside Bethany College.

Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.

Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) certification preferred.

Experience with the Jenzabar software system preferred.

High energy and passion for Bethany College's mission is essential.

Ability to construct, articulate, and implement the annual strategic development plan.

Familiarity with planned giving tools and IRS tax laws regarding philanthropic gifts of various kinds, such gifts of cash, gifts in kind, donor-advised funds, simple will bequests, charitable gift annuities, qualified charitable distributions and required minimum distributions.

A customer-focused advancement specialist putting donor intent above institutional preferences.

A professional and resourceful style; the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative, and to manage multiple tasks and projects at a time.

Bethany College provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Bethany College complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the College has facilities.

Full-time