Senior Director of Advancement

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Director of Advancement is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing all university fundraising operations, including alumni development, athletic advancement, planned giving, annual appeals, grant coordination, and donor stewardship. This individual plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of philanthropy, strengthening donor engagement, and ensuring sustainable financial support for the university's mission and strategic initiatives. Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, Marketing, and Communications, this professional will lead a high-performing team and collaborate across departments to align fundraising strategies with institutional priorities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising Strategy & Donor Engagement:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes annual, major, and planned giving, corporate partnerships, and campaign-driven initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with major donors, working closely to elevate annual and campaign-driven giving objectives.
• Oversee the planning and execution of annual appeals and donor stewardship efforts to enhance engagement and long-term giving.
• Collaborate with university leadership, board members, and key stakeholders to identify and cultivate philanthropic opportunities.

Grant Coordination & Institutional Support:

• Lead the Grant Action Team, a cross-departmental group of faculty and staff that evaluates and recommends proposed grant opportunities for the university to pursue.
• Provide strategic oversight of grant-seeking activities, ensuring alignment with university priorities and funding needs.
• Work closely with faculty, staff, and external partners to identify, apply for, and manage grant funding opportunities.

Planned Giving Program:

• Lead the university's Planned Giving Program, developing and implementing strategies to encourage bequests, charitable trusts, annuities, and other legacy gifts.
• Educate donors, alumni, and stakeholders on estate planning and tax-efficient giving options to maximize long-term support.
• Establish and steward relationships with planned giving donors, ensuring recognition and engagement in alignment with their philanthropic goals.

Annual Appeals & Giving Campaigns:

• Establish and manage a robust annual appeal program, ensuring consistent and effective outreach to alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and the broader community.
• Develop multi-channel fundraising campaigns utilizing direct mail, email, social media, and digital engagement strategies.
• Track and analyze donor response rates, refining strategies to increase participation and giving levels year over year.

Alumni & Community Relations:

• Develop and strengthen relationships with alumni and community stakeholders to foster lifelong engagement and philanthropic support.
• Collaborate with the Alumni and Community Relations team to implement programs and events that enhance alumni connections and participation.
• Expand and oversee regional and national alumni engagement efforts.

Athletic Advancement & Special Giving Initiatives:

• Partner with the Director of Athletic Advancement to drive fundraising efforts that support athletic programs, scholarships, and facilities.
• Develop targeted fundraising campaigns for specific university priorities, including capital projects and academic initiatives.

Donor Stewardship & Gift Processing:

• Ensure the accurate processing of all contributions, providing donors with the necessary formal paperwork required for tax deductions.
• Maintain an active and accurate donor database, ensuring proper tracking, reporting, and stewardship of gifts.
• Oversee donor recognition programs, impact reporting, and special events to acknowledge and celebrate donor contributions.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in philanthropy, nonprofit management, business administration, communications, higher education administration, public relations, or a related field required.
• Master's degree strongly preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in fundraising, alumni relations, or advancement, with at least 5 years in a management role.
• Demonstrated success in higher education advancement is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to develop and execute major gift strategies, oversee capital campaigns, and implement donor stewardship initiatives that drive long-term philanthropic engagement.
• Experience in grant coordination and institutional fundraising, including identifying, applying for, and managing grant funding opportunities.
• Strong leadership and strategic planning skills, with experience in managing and developing teams.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and public speaking abilities.
• Proficiency in donor management systems, fundraising analytics, and reporting tools.

Disclaimer: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have valid authorization to work in the United States of America without the need for current or future employer-sponsored work authorization.

An affirmative action/equal opportunity employer covered by the Montana veterans' and handicapped persons' employment preference act

The University of Providence is a Catholic, student-centered, mission-focused university. For more information, please contact Human Resources at 406.791.5977.