Assistant Vice President for Development, Widener University

Posted by on March 20, 2011

Assistant Vice President for Development, Widener University

Posted: March 7, 2011

Recently cited by the Chronicle of Higher Education as a “Best College to Work for,” Widener University seeks applications and nominations for an Assistant Vice President for Development who will execute and evaluate Widener’s fundraising initiatives.

About Widener University

Widener University offers a professional, liberal arts education in a challenging, scholarly, and culturally diverse academic community through dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, and experiential learning. As a leading metropolitan university, Widener creates a learning environment where curricula are connected to societal issues through civic engagement. Widener inspires its students to be citizens of character who demonstrate professional and civic leadership, in turn contributing to the vitality and well-being of the communities they serve. The university is comprised of eight schools and colleges, many of which are nationally renowned and recognized, which lead to associate’s, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. . Campuses are located in Harrisburg, Exton and Wilmington, Delaware, with the main campus located in Chester, Pennsylvania, just ten miles south of Center City Philadelphia.

Widener is presently engaged in a comprehensive university-wide campaign that is scheduled to conclude in 2015. The priorities of this campaign are to secure a level of support unprecedented in its history – $58 million to endow student aid, ensure faculty excellence, support new program initiatives and to accomplish capital projects objectives.

About the Position

The Assistant Vice President for Development will report to the Senior Vice President for Advancement. The incumbent will provide leadership and strategic direction for the Development program and the university’s comprehensive campaign. The AVP will execute and evaluate Widener’s fundraising initiatives, including major gifts, annual giving, research, prospect management, corporate and foundation relations, advancement services and planned giving. Duties include:

Manage the operations of the university’s comprehensive campaign.

Serve as chief development liaison with deans and program directors on the Main Campus in Chester.

Responsible for the design and implementation of major gift cultivation and solicitation strategies.

Responsible for the recruitment and staffing of all volunteer committees

Establishes performance goals for all members of the development team

Supervises the identification of new prospects as well as research conducted on prospects at the highest level.

Oversees a prospect management system that monitors the cultivation and solicitation activities of over 700 assigned prospects.

Analyzes monthly financial progress reports including: funding objectives, source of gifts and gift tables.

Supervises 8 professional staff and is responsible for a budget of $1.3m

Successful Candidates

The successful candidate will possess strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills, and extensive and progressive experience in advancement. Requirements include a proven track record of fund raising including major gifts, comprehensive campaigns, planned and deferred giving, corporate and foundation solicitation and annual funds. The ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced organization and work effectively with staff, administrators, faculty, alumni, and board members is expected. Enthusiastic commitment to advancing the University mission, experience in team building and campaign management along with a high level of energy, initiative, and a sense of humor are required. Knowledge of technology and commitment to its use in prospect management, research, and information systems is an expectation. An advanced degree is preferred.

How to Apply

Interested individuals should send a letter describing their interest and qualifications for the position, a resume, and contact information including email addresses for five references. The packet should be sent electronically (Microsoft Word attachments preferred) to William Spelman at leadership@wspelman.com . The subject line in the email should be AVPWID. Documents that must be mailed should be sent to William Spelman Executive Search, Stony Point Landing, 667 Midship Circle, Webster, NY 14580. Confidential inquiries will be received at 585.787.9742. Confidence will be maintained. References will not be contacted without prior knowledge or approval of the candidate. For full consideration, all materials should be received by April 8, 2011. The process will continue until the position is filled.

Widener University is an equal opportunity employer that encourages excellence through diversity. Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.

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