Assistant Vice President for Development

The Assistant Vice President for Development (AVPD) serves as a dynamic leadership partner within the Institutional Advancement Office. This position reports to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and is responsible for overseeing relationship building as it relates to the development, increase, and securing of major gifts for the College and the Earlham School of Religion. The position works collaboratively to set strategy for cultivating prospects and donors to help the College and ESR meet their top fundraising priorities and projects.

The AVPD has responsibility for oversight of the major gifts staff, focusing on generating a high level of activity and prospect contact, while also managing an individual portfolio of major- and principal-gift capacity prospects and donors.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the Development team in planning and implementing long- and short-term strategies to secure gifts from individuals through major, planned and annual gift cultivation and solicitation.
• Work with the Vice President Institutional Advancement (VPIA) and Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement (AVPIA) on long-term visioning and expansion of the donor pipeline, with particular focus on strategies to cultivate and build relationships with new highly-rated prospects.
• Help to establish measurable goals to increase fundraising results that are both aspirational and achievable.
• Manage a pool of at least 200+ leadership donors, maintaining a robust annual face-to-face visit schedule.
• Assists with the successful completion of The Earlham Campaign for Good through strategy development, personal solicitations, and leadership of the front-line development team.
• Work with the stewardship staff to insure we have an effective and efficient stewardship program that helps all leadership and major gift donors understand the importance and impact of their giving.
• Responsible for mentoring, inspiring, supervising, and evaluating all members on the major gifts team.
• Partners with the IA Management Team to develop strong positive relationships with the College and ESR campus community in order to establish the Institutional Advancement office as the major resource and coordinator for fundraising and friend-raising activities.

Position expectations

• The successful candidate will be a seasoned leader and manager of fundraising teams, with 8+ years of relevant fundraising experience and the ability to help the development staff continue to grow and develop professionally.
• Demonstrated experience in donor cultivation and a proven track record of securing major and planned gifts, combining the best elements of the art and science of fundraising practice.
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills and the ability to write persuasively and effectively for varied audiences. The AVPD must be able to inspire and match the donor’s philanthropic interests with the priorities and direction of the College.
• A working knowledge of development and planned giving best practices, processes, and IRS regulations as they relate to charitable gifts. Similarly, a commitment to follow policies and procedures established by the Institutional Advancement Office and Earlham.
• This position requires an appreciation for higher education and Earlham’s commitment to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive community.
• Willingness to travel overnight and across country a must.
• A Bachelor’s degree is required, with preference for a Master’s degree.

Additional qualifications and characteristics sought include

• Detail-oriented with proven record of follow-through
• The ability to serve as an enthusiastic, articulate spokesperson for Earlham, reflecting a strong commitment to the mission and values particular to a Quaker liberal arts college and seminary;
• Strong team player with a positive attitude and outlook
• Ability to handle sensitive matters with tact, discretion, and humanity
• Skilled at building consensus and making difficult decisions
• Flexibility and willingness to take on other duties as assigned

Application instructions

Please submit the following application materials in a single electronic file:

• Cover letter;
• Resume;
• Statement on Diversity: The Statement on Diversity should describe how your values and leadership frame or center Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in your work.
• Contact information for three references.

All materials should be submitted to the Earlham College Human Resources Office at: [email protected].