Senior Vice President for Development

ESU Foundation

Search 2041 - Posted February 20, 2025

The Senior Vice President for Development is a key member of the Foundation’s Leadership Team and leads the Development team operations. The Senior Vice President works closely with the Foundation President and CEO, Foundation Board of Trustees, and campus leadership as needed to provide a high-level of internal and external leadership on behalf of the Foundation. Leads the creation and implementation of a comprehensive development program to identify, cultivate, and secure principal, major, and planned gifts to strengthen and advance the University. Serves as the strategic leader of all fundraising activities. Establishes metrics for success, managing a select portfolio of prospects and donors capable of making principal gifts to the institution, and creating a cohesive, collaborative, and strategic fundraising team.



Must have demonstrated fundraising ability, experience in successfully motivating professional fundraisers and supporting staff, and developing and executing a strategic vision. Must be a persuasive and sophisticated communicator who can represent Emporia State to a constituency that includes a broad range of donors, stakeholders, and partners. Have a passion for learning, an appreciation for ESU’s culture, and the ability to sustain long-term efforts in advancing Emporia State University.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 donors and prospective donors. Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward transformational gifts to ESU.
• Attract, mentor, train, supervise, and evaluate high-performing development team including all professional major gift fundraisers. Build and lead strategic development efforts, regular team meetings and communication and achieve annual aspirational fundraising goals. Oversee a comprehensive planned giving program.
• Lead pipeline development and leadership giving efforts. Elevate moves management strategies, build a consistent pipeline of donors, improve fundraiser efficiencies through technology and improved processes, and provide tools for assessment.
• Collaborate with campus leadership, with a servant leader mindset, to establish university fundraising priorities, initiatives, strategies and metrics in alignment with the strategic plan and campus master plan. Provide strategic assistance on private funding opportunities to the President, Deans, Athletic Director, and other University leadership.
• Evaluate performance and routinely provide developmental coaching to help staff grow in their current roles and prepare them for increased responsibilities.
• Continuously assess current process and procedures to identify areas for improvement to enhance overall fundraising performance.
• Setting unit budget and managing resources effectively to maintain financial viability.
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

• All candidates must hold a Master's Degree and have a minimum of fifteen years experience in fundraising including ten years experience at Vice President level at a university or institutionally-related Foundation. 
• Preferred candidates will have prior leadership experience of effective strategic and campaign planning. Significant experience working with high net worth prospects and donors and demonstrated success securing major and principal gifts. Experience leading both major gift officers and development staff not in front-line fundraising roles. Experience developing and managing budgets.
  

COMPENSATION:

• Salary: $160,000 - $190,000 annually
• Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

BENEFITS:

Base pay is one component of Emporia State University’s total rewards package. We are dedicated to supporting the needs of the “whole you” with our holistic approach to employee benefits by offering comprehensive well-being benefits for you and your family that include:

• Health Insurance
• Free Dental insurance for employees
• Retirement through the Kansas Board of Regents
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 31 days paid vacation and holiday days
• Tuition reduction and tuition assistance
• Dependent tuition waiver
• For full details about our benefit plan offerings, please visit here. 

APPLY:

To apply, upload a letter of interest, vita, and contact information for five professional references here.

Consideration of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

A background check and official transcripts are required prior to hire.

For more information

Jose Pavon

HR Professional

jpavon@emporia.edu

Emporia State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other factors which cannot be considered by law.