Assistant Vice President of Development
3 days ago
Laurel
Job Description CAPITOL TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY Assistant Vice President for Development Reports To: President FLSA Status: Exempt Employment Status: Full-Time Department: Development Position Summary The Assistant Vice President for Development is a senior fundraising professional responsible for leading major gift strategy, serves as the senior operational leader for the University’s development function, and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the development office. This position plays a critical leadership role in advancing organizational priorities through philanthropic support, with a primary focus on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-capacity donors. Reporting directly to the President, this position oversees development staff and ensures the effective execution of fundraising programs, donor engagement strategies, and operational processes that drive sustainable revenue growth and strengthen donor relationships to advance the mission and priorities of the University. Alternate Position Summary We are seeking a dynamic, entrepreneurial leader to drive transformational fundraising and lead a high-performing development operation. The Assistant Vice President for Development will operate as a strategic growth architect—someone who thrives on building relationships, spotting opportunity, and securing significant investments in mission-driven work. This role is ideal for a results-oriented fundraiser or investment-minded professional who is energized by cultivating high-value partnerships, closing major gifts, and leading a team to achieve ambitious revenue goals. You will have the autonomy to shape strategy, the platform to engage influential stakeholders, and the opportunity to directly impact organizational growth. Position Responsibilities Major Gift Fundraising • Develop and manage a robust portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporate donors., • Cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts at the five-, six-, and seven-figure levels., • Design and implement individualized engagement strategies to maximize donor giving and long-term commitment., • Partner with senior leadership, board members, and volunteers in donor identification, cultivation, and solicitation activities., • Prepare compelling proposals, presentations, and stewardship reports tailored to donor interests. Page Break Development Office Leadership and Administration • Direct and manage the day-to-day activities of the development office., • Supervise and provide leadership to the Assistant Director of Development and any other assigned development staff., • Establish office priorities, workflows, goals, and performance expectations to ensure efficient and effective development operations., • Build and maintain a well-organized, responsive, and mission-driven development function with capacity for future growth., • Oversee departmental budget responsibilities and manage resources assigned to development activities., • Collaborate with marketing and communications to develop compelling messaging, donor materials, and campaign content. Strategic Fundraising and Campaign Planning • Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy designed to grow annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, special gifts, and campaign support., • Assist in shaping and executing institution-wide fundraising campaigns and strategic development initiatives., • Lead development planning efforts, including annual work plans, donor outreach strategies, fundraising calendars, and event-related planning., • Prepare briefing materials, presentations, and strategy documents for the President, Board members, and other University leaders involved in fundraising., • Track fundraising initiatives, progress, and outcomes, and recommend adjustments to improve results. Donor Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship • Expand the University’s donor base through proactive outreach, relationship-building, and consistent engagement., • Oversee donor recognition and stewardship programs to ensure meaningful acknowledgement and long-term relationship development., • Maintain strong relationships with scholarship donors, sponsors, and other philanthropic supporters., • Represent the University at donor meetings, community events, conferences, and partnership discussions., • Strengthen alumni and friend engagement through coordinated outreach initiatives and strategic programming. Corporate, Foundation, and Government Relations • Build and manage a portfolio of corporate, foundation, and government funding prospects aligned with institutional priorities., • Identify and pursue grant opportunities from private foundations, corporations, and government agencies., • Lead or coordinate the development, writing, submission, and follow-up of grant proposals and reports in collaboration with faculty and staff., • Develop partnership models that support scholarships, academic initiatives, workforce development, student success, research, and capital needs., • Monitor trends in philanthropy, sponsorship, grants, and workforce partnerships to inform strategy. Collaboration with University Leadership • Serve as a strategic partner to the President on fundraising priorities, donor strategy, and development opportunities., • Work closely with academic leadership, faculty, staff, and administrative units to identify funding priorities and create integrated fundraising strategies., • Support Board and committee development work through preparation of materials, follow-up, and coordination of development-related activities., • Advise campus leaders involved in donor relationships and help coordinate prospect activity across the institution. Development Operations and Systems • Oversee the effective use of donor databases, CRM systems, and reporting tools to support fundraising operations., • Ensure accurate recordkeeping, prospect tracking, reporting, stewardship documentation, and compliance with ethical fundraising practices., • Develop and improve systems, policies, metrics, and procedures that support a scalable and accountable development program., • Use data and reporting to measure performance, identify opportunities, and strengthen donor engagement efforts. Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree required, • Significant progressive experience in fundraising, securing investors, development, advancement, or nonprofit leadership, preferably in higher education or a mission-driven organization (typically 6 to 10 years experience)., • Demonstrated success in managing a portfolio of high-level donors, • Experience with annual giving, major gifts, grants, corporate partnerships, events, and development operations., • Experience supervising staff and managing multiple projects and deadlines., • Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills., • Proficiency with donor databases and CRM systems, preferably Raiser's Edge or similar platforms, along with standard reporting and productivity tools., • Ability to work independently, strategically, and collaboratively in a dynamic environment., • Strong analytical and strategic thinking Preferred Attributes • Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build and grow development functions., • Strong organizational and planning skills with close attention to detail., • High degree of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment., • Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior leadership, trustees, donors, faculty, staff, and external partners., • Commitment to the mission of higher education and student success. PHYSICAL DEMANDS There are limited physical demands; however, this position requires sitting occasionally for extended periods of time, and repetitive motions for tasks such as operating a computer mouse and keyboard, and hearing and speaking on the telephone. The candidate must be able to pull, bend, grasp, and occasionally lift up to 20 lbs. with or without accommodation. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Capitol Technology University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse and inclusive workforce. As stated in our Equal Employment Policy, Capitol Technology University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to unlawful considerations of sex, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and/or expression), pregnancy, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, religion or similar philosophical beliefs, disability, marital and civil union status, age, genetic information, veteran status or any personal attribute or characteristic that is protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.