University of Delaware

Assistant Vice President of Colleges and Programs | Office of Development and Alumni Relations

Newark, Delaware

The University of Delaware (UD) exists to cultivate learning, develop knowledge and foster the free exchange of ideas. State-assisted yet privately governed, UD has a strong tradition of distinguished scholarship, research, teaching and service that is grounded in a commitment to increasing and disseminating scientific, humanistic and social knowledge for the benefit of the larger society. Tracing its origins to 1743 and chartered by the state in 1833, the University today is a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant university.

The University of Delaware is a major research university with extensive graduate programs that is also dedicated to outstanding undergraduate and professional education. UD faculty are committed to the intellectual, cultural, and ethical development of students as citizens, scholars, and professionals. University graduates are prepared to contribute to a global society that requires leaders with creativity, integrity and a dedication to service.

Alumni tell the University’s story of achievement, from the first class that included three signers of the Declaration of Independence and a signer of the Constitution to a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, a Tony Award-winning choreographer, and the former Vice President of the United States.

Distinguished University faculty includes internationally known authors, scientists, and artists. State-of-the-art facilities support UD’s academic, research, and service activities. During the past decade, external funding for UD research steadily increased and now exceeds $146 million a year. More than 75 thriving research institutes and centers reflect the diversity and rigor of UD’s research interests and activity, as well as the University’s commitment to improving the quality of life in Delaware and beyond.

The University enrolls approximately 24,120 students across seven colleges, 140 bachelor’s programs, 115 master’s programs, 44 doctoral programs, and 4 associate programs. There are more than 173,511 living UD undergraduate and graduate alumni in the U.S. and around the world.

In order to continue providing opportunities to put great ideas into practice, help shape UD’s future, and advance the University from excellence to preeminence, visionary leadership from the University’s President and Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, among others, is advancing new levels of philanthropic ambition and achievement. The mounting success of the current Delaware First campaign, publicly launched in 2017, is emblematic of the University’s burgeoning culture of philanthropy. As of December 2018, the campaign had secured more than $669 million, well on pace to reach its goal of $750 million by June 2020. The campaign and an underlying commitment to philanthropic best practices has increased total annual fundraising revenues across the University.

With an emphasis on ensuring that UD’s philanthropic efforts feature strategic, sustainable, major-gifts-focused fundraising for Colleges and Programs, the University seeks candidates for Assistant Vice President of Colleges and Programs (AVP) in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President for Development, the AVP provides strategic leadership, direction, and management for the University’s major fundraising programs within the seven colleges and other key academic or programmatic units, including the Honors Program, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, and the Library. S/he directly supervises several Senior Directors of Development who lead unit-based development programs and manages and an overall Colleges and Programs team of more than 20 individuals. In addition, the AVP carries a limited portfolio of major and principal gifts prospects. The AVP is a key member of the Office of Development and Alumni Relations leadership team.

Required qualifications and experience:

- Genuine enthusiasm for and demonstrated commitment to the mission of the University of Delaware.

- Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.

- Ten or more years of experience in development positions with progressive responsibility, including work in all functional areas of frontline fundraising (individual giving, institutional giving, planned giving, stewardship, board relations), involvement in a comprehensive or capital campaign, and a deep understanding of data-informed, metrics-based major gifts fundraising. Experience working in an institution of higher education or nonprofit environment of similar complexity is strongly preferred.

- Minimum of five years of supervisory experience, including experience managing and leading a major gifts fundraising team.

- Sophisticated knowledge of higher education operations, governance, and culture.

- Strength in developing the case for support and strategic, innovative fundraising plans, and in executing against those plans to achieve goals and objectives. Experience effectively strategizing with and engaging various groups and constituents, including the most senior levels of an organization.

- Track record of securing seven-figure gifts or greater, including cultivation through solicitation and stewardship, as well as working with annual giving strategies to develop pipelines for annual leadership and major gift donors.

- Demonstrated ability in planning and executing strategic communications to complement development initiatives.

- Experience identifying, nurturing, and motivating trustees and other volunteer leaders, and a sophisticated understanding of their role in building an effective development network.

- Well-honed skills in organizational efficiency and project leadership, including demonstrated accomplishments while working with cross-functional teams. Skill at goal setting and measuring success.

The University of Delaware has retained Diversified Search to assist in this confidential search process. Inquiries, nominations, and applications (current resumes and cover letters) should be directed electronically to:

Gerard F. Cattie, Jr.

Managing Director

Practice Leader – Development & Philanthropy

Diversified Search

The Chrysler Building, 405 Lexington Avenue, 49^th Floor, New York, NY 10174

gerard.cattie@divsearch.com | 212.542.2587