Careers

Title: Assistant Vice President for Strategic Engagement

Department: Institutional Advancement Mgmt.

Duration: Indefinite

Employment Status: Full Time  (40 hours/week)

Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement, the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Engagement (AVP-SE) serves a critical role in shaping and executing the strategic vision and strategies of the Institutional Advancement (IA) division. The AVP-SE is responsible for developing and overseeing initiatives that enhance constituent engagement, strengthening the donor pipeline, and supporting comprehensive fundraising campaigns. The AVP-SE is a member of the IA leadership team partnering with the VPIA, AVP Principal Gifts, AVP Individual Giving, Senior Director of Foundation Relations and Strategic Initiatives, and Senior Director of Advancement Services to foster a positive, collaborative, results-driven team culture in service to the College’s mission and vision.

Job Duties

• 25% - Strategic Oversight and Leadership - The AVP leads and mentors the Alumni and Parent Engagement, Donor Relations, Major Gift Stewardship and Gift Administration, Communications, and Events Management team members to achieve the division’s ambitious fundraising goals while fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. Through strategic oversight and effective team management, the AVP ensures that all efforts within these areas are aligned, coordinated, and contribute to the overall success of the college’s Institutional Advancement division. - (Essential)
• 15% - Alumni and Parent Engagement - Oversee the Alumni and Parent Engagement team. The AVPSE will actively support the development and execution of community-building goals that create meaningful pathways for engagement with the College and facilitate donor prospect identification. The AVP will guide the evolution of engagement strategies and programs, ensuring that they are aligned with the College's mission and objectives and effectively measured. - (Essential)
• 15% - Donor Engagement - The AVPSE will oversee the integrated Donor Relations, Communications, Stewardship, Gift Administration, and Events Management unit, ensuring that all activities are strategically aligned to enhance donor engagement and recognition. In partnership with the Senior Director of Donor Engagement and Events, this work includes leading the development and execution of a comprehensive donor relations program, managing the stewardship of major gifts, and ensuring timely and accurate donor reporting. They will support the review and implementation of clear guidelines for strategic event planning, execution, and follow-up, as well as the creation of a clear menus of gift opportunities and related donor recognition programs that are aligned with the Campaign’s priorities. The AVPSE will guide the team in creating and implementing innovative communication strategies that leverage Salesforce to personalize outreach and maintain brand consistency. Additionally, the AVPSE will ensure the donor engagement events align with the College’s priorities and maximize participation from key constituents. - (Essential)
• 35% - Campaign Management - Create and oversee the implementation of the Campaign Operating Plan, including staffing and budget, with the goal of preparing the organization for the next comprehensive fundraising campaign. This may include the following types of activities and practices: campaign feasibility studies, campaign budget and staffing scenarios, consultation/cultivation dinners, campus-based and regional events, Campaign Steering Committee meetings, Campaign priority task force meetings, as well as the infusion of Campaign-related messaging and programming into our traditional flagship events. Collaborative management with Advancement Services, Individual Giving and the Office of Strategic Initiatives on priority prospect pipelines and regular prospect reviews to meet fundraising targets for each Campaign priority. Provide periodic progress reports on Campaign planning and implementation to key internal audiences and the Institutional Advancement and Communications Committee of the Board of Trustees. The AVPSE will serve as the primary liaison to campaign volunteers, and in partnership with the VPIA, IA’s Senior Management Team and other key stakeholders, will facilitate the peer-to-peer fundraising activities and meetings of its members. The AVPSE leads IA’s volunteer management strategy including the development of a leadership pipeline for roles across the College. - (Essential)
• 10% - Collaboration - Partner with the Director of the Oxy Fund (Annual Giving program) and the Senior Director of Advancement Services to ensure cohesive and effective campaign strategies. Collaborate with various departments to ensure a seamless constituent experience and integrated engagement strategies. Collaborate with IA leadership to set and achieve ambitious fundraising targets. Liaise with the Office of the President to ensure strategies, engagements, and priorities are clearly communicated. Work closely and consistently with the Office of Marketing and Communications and the Director of Advancement communications. - (Essential)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, fundraising/development, marketing, communications, leadership, business or other fields related to position responsibilities.
• Ten years of progressively responsible alumni and parent engagement and fundraising experience including demonstrated success in developing and supporting the function of volunteer committees. Team leadership/management experience.
• Proven success in developing and implementing strategic engagement and fundraising initiatives.
• A substantial knowledge of best practices in fundraising and pipeline development.
• Demonstrated ability to clearly articulated management philosophy which supports high performance and employee retention.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in liberal arts, fundraising/development, marketing, communications, leadership, business or other fields related to position responsibilities.
• Ten years of progressively responsible alumni and parent engagement and fundraising experience, preferably in higher education, including demonstrated success in developing and supporting the function of volunteer committees.
• Experience working on a team that has secured principal gifts of $1,000,000 or more in partnership with institutional leadership.
• Demonstrated skills in operating as an innovative, strategic, forward-thinking leader with exceptional interpersonal skills, a passion for the liberal arts, and a high degree of professionalism and integrity. Demonstrated in-depth and seasoned facilitation skills and the ability to build consensus among campus stakeholders around cultivation and proposal strategies.
• Ability to think strategically, generate new ideas, plan, and set goals and objectives, as well as implement and follow-through on these goals.
• Ability to analyze, synthesize and organize data, and present findings in a comprehensible manner for different audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google drives/folders/forms, Adobe Acrobat, Web Editing, and social media applications or any combination of productivity programs applicable to position responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and thorough; skilled at anticipating and preventing potential problems and handling a wide variety of tasks with efficiency and accuracy.
• Strong commitment to a quality work product.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally, in writing and electronically.
• Effective interpersonal skills as evidenced in the ability to collaborate with a variety of constituencies. Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, inclusion & diversity.
• Demonstrated skill in adapting to and performing work effectively in high-volume, high accountability, confidential environment with multiple and changing priorities.
• Effective organizational, logistical, time management and planning skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks/projects simultaneously, prioritize and fulfill the functions of an office in a timely manner.
• Ability to self-motivate and work independently.
• Ability to provide effective leadership and training, and to work effectively and professionally across functions, disciplines, levels, and with diverse groups.
• A substantial knowledge of best practices in fundraising and pipeline development.
  Demonstrated ability to clearly articulated management philosophy which supports high performance and employee retention.

EXPECTED HIRING RANGE:  $166,000 - $174,000/yr

If you are offered this position at Occidental College, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, experience, and/or geographic location. In addition to those factors, Occidental complies with applicable pay equity laws and considers internal equity among current employees when developing the final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth.  We also offer a generous compensation and benefits package.