MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN. Search Prospectus: Vice President for Advancement

Transcription

1 MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN Search Prospectus: Vice President for Advancement

2 ALVERNO COLLEGE MISSION STATEMENT Alverno College prepares women for lives of personal and professional distinction and meaningful engagement with the world. Alverno extends this mission by offering graduate and adult programs to women and men. Inspired by its Catholic, Franciscan and liberal arts heritage, the College intentionally creates an inclusive community that engages students in active and collaborative learning and fosters academic excellence. ALVERNO COLLEGE VISION To be the leading Catholic, Franciscan College inspiring passionate and principled leadership through transformational education. 2

3 THE SEARCH Alverno College, a Catholic college for women and respected institution of national significance, seeks a talented and energetic Vice President for Advancement to lead the College s fundraising, external relations and alumnae engagement efforts. The Vice President is expected to take office in early spring At this exciting time in the College s 130-year history, the successful candidate will serve as the president s lead partner in securing external support for Alverno, for its ambitious Strategic Plan, revered faculty and deserving students. The Vice President will oversee key areas of the College working to: garner support for the College s mission, key priorities and initiatives; extend external relationships, including alumnae, corporate, business and community partners; and collaborate with academic leaders in developing new relationships. The areas under the Vice President s direct leadership include the College s fundraising and alumnae engagement departments. The Vice President will work closely with key academic, enrollment and marketing staff to ensure that the College s academic priorities and student needs drive Alverno s fundraising, alumnae engagement and related efforts. The Vice President will also work with other College officers, including the academic deans, who are eager to assist in major fundraising efforts. Accordingly, a collaborative spirit and a commitment to close and frequent communication with colleagues will be essential characteristics of the successful candidate. The next Vice President will quickly embrace the spirit and energy behind Alverno s storied abilities-based curriculum and assessment model, features that have attracted the attention of educators worldwide for more than 40 years. Working collaboratively with an energetic team of senior officers and colleagues, as well as with faculty, alumnae, trustees and community partners, the Vice President will frame and articulate a detailed plan outlining the ways in which Alverno fundraising and alumnae efforts will support the College s Strategic Plan. The successful candidate will be a seasoned fundraising administrator, preferably with progressively more advanced responsibilities in college or university advancement teams. She/he will demonstrate dedication to the Catholic, Franciscan mission of the College, to the education of women and to playing a significant role in furthering Alverno s ambitious enrollment goals. 3

4 MORE ABOUT ALVERNO ALVERNO AT A GLANCE Alverno promotes the academic, personal and professional development of its students in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Undergraduate programs for women are offered in more than 60 areas of study. Degree-completion and graduate programs, in such fields of study as education, nursing and business, are open to women and men. The institution has four schools: School of Arts and Sciences School of Professional Studies (Business and Education) JoAnn McGrath School of Nursing and Health Professions School of Adult Learning and New Initiatives In fall 2017, Alverno College enrolled almost 2,000 total students and was designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution, meeting the national enrollment criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education. Internationally renowned for its assessment-as-feedback model, Alverno integrates into its curriculum eight core abilities that every student must master: Communication, Analysis, Problem Solving, Valuing in Decision-Making, Social Interaction, Developing a Global Perspective, Effective Citizenship and Aesthetic Engagement. The College was ranked among the top four Midwest Regional Universities in the U.S. News & World Report Strong Commitment to Teaching category and highest in Wisconsin for the eighth consecutive year. In addition, Alverno was recognized for its senior capstone experiences and ethnic diversity. In a Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education poll, Alverno was listed as the top national institution where students are inspired by their peers. See the College website at alverno.edu. Fall 2017 Enrollment: nearly 2,000 Who Comes to Alverno 44% of our students come from the City of Milwaukee 93% are from Wisconsin and the remaining 7% come from 17 states International <1% 68% of incoming undergraduate students are first-generation college students Religious Makeup While Catholic students represent a significant population, many other religious denominations are represented and welcomed on Alverno s inclusive campus. Heritage Our vibrant campus is home to students from many and varied racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Faculty Alverno has 94 full-time faculty members, the vast majority of whom have the highest degrees in their fields. Alverno faculty are recognized nationally for their teaching expertise. Athletics The Alverno Inferno offers seven sports at the NCAA Division III level: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. Brain Gain Alverno graduates apply their knowledge and skills to the local workforce, with 79% of them living and working in Wisconsin. 4

5 LEADERSHIP AGENDA AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Vice President for Advancement is the chief external relations officer of Alverno College. Reporting directly to President Andrea Lee, IHM, the Vice President serves as the President s lead partner in planning and executing Alverno s advancement and alumnae engagement efforts. The Vice President also serves on the President s Administrative Council and as a member of several committees and task forces, including as chair of some. She/he is a key leader of the Alverno College Alumnae Council and serves as principal liaison to the Board of Trustees Committee on Resource Development. The Vice President also serves as internal partner to the chief academic officer and deans in supporting the various advisory boards and councils established for the College s four schools and major curricular areas. The Vice President fosters collegiality and inspires excellence, innovation and institutional responsiveness among staff by leading them in developing action plans that align advancement work with the College s Strategic Plan. The Advancement Vice President and staff actively collaborate with key College leaders and faculty to build and deepen institutional relationships and maximize fundraising success. This is a full-time administrative appointment reporting to the President. Successful candidates should present appropriate academic credentials and demonstrate substantial experience in fundraising and advancement, preferably at an institution of higher education or organization(s) of similar complexity. A strong commitment to the education of women and to first-generation students is essential. The Vice President serves on the President s leadership team and is called upon at times to represent the President, particularly in external venues. She/he serves in a collegial relationship with the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications and, through the academic leaders, maintains effective and cordial relationships with the Alverno faculty. The Vice President provides support and expertise in discussions with the College s senior leadership team to imagine, design, implement and assess externally focused programs and projects that align with Alverno College s mission and Strategic Plan. The Vice President for Advancement leads a talented team of professionals whose focus is building external relationships and securing support for the College. 5

6 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Vice President for Advancement will be a fundraising professional of substantial experience, vision and expertise in leading a talented and energetic advancement and alumnae engagement team. The College is planning for significant fundraising initiatives, and the new Vice President will enjoy the counsel and support of a nationally recognized consulting firm for these upcoming initiatives. Alverno College offers an exciting opportunity for a creative leader to breathe new energy and excitement into advancing the College s well-established philanthropic efforts. The position benefits from an enthusiastic partnership with a President committed to dedicating significant time and energy to resource development. The new Vice President will play a central role in inspiring and sustaining a dynamic culture of philanthropy for Alverno College. The following are expectations and opportunities for leadership: Provide visionary leadership for the Alverno community and for Advancement and Alumnae Engagement staff to enable the development, quality and growth of key relationships and sources of support for Alverno College; Build and sustain critical alignment between donor aspiration and Alverno needs and plans; Inspire and lead a culture of growth, energy and innovation among Alverno colleagues and Advancement and Alumnae Engagement staff, by building a highly effective team that operates in accordance with best practices, with effectiveness and a sense of urgency; Assume a key leadership role in developing and implementing Advancement and Alumnae Engagement plans to seek and obtain substantial support for Alverno programs, i.e., its academic, student life and capital plans; Serve as a key collaborator with the Vice President for Academic Affairs in planning for and securing external support for Alverno College s academic programs and faculty; Sustain a robust moves management plan that broadens the donor base, moves prospects through the giftplanning cycle and employs a datainformed approach to institutional advancement; Conduct periodic audits with support from a national consulting firm to set appropriate priorities, goals and desired outcomes for major gifts, planned giving and the annual fund program, with frequent reviews to ensure goals are met or adjusted and new ideas implemented; Personally manage a significant portfolio of donors and actively solicit them for annual, major and planned gifts. Embrace direct fundraising as the highest priority of the Vice President s position, while providing opportunities for staff to perform and advance to higher levels of performance and achievement; Collaborate closely with the President and the Board of Trustees in supporting the development and cultivation of key donor relationships; With the Director of Alumnae Engagement, assume a lead role in envisioning and implementing expanding roles with alumnae, including meaningful engagement between alumnae and students. Serve as senior external officer in managing relationships with alumnae and external partners; Serve as primary liaison to the Board of Trustees Resource Development Committee; Oversee planning for events originating in Advancement or Alumnae Engagement departments; Oversee annual staff assessments in Advancement and Alumnae Engagement departments; Provide effective leadership in managing key decisions in all aspects of staff employment; Serve as a key public face for Alverno College by collaborating with the President and Vice President for Academic Affairs to engage external entities in advancing Alverno graduates and the College s academic programs; Support the academic deans in establishing, maintaining and effectively engaging the College s Advisory Councils; Prepare and accept responsibility for the external relations and alumnae engagement budgets and work with colleague Vice Presidents to present an institutional budget that is balanced and best meets institutional needs; Serve as a member of the President s Administrative Council and actively facilitate collegial relationships among her/his peers; Provide time, expertise and support to the President in addressing ad hoc requests; Accept other responsibilities as requested by the President. 6

7 DESIRED ATTRIBUTES Ideal candidates for the Vice President position should possess a combination of professional experiences and personal qualities that will serve the expectations as outlined above. The desired qualities include an earned bachelor s degree (master s preferred) and progressively responsible development experience in a comprehensive advancement program in which fundraising success has been demonstrated. S/he should possess a collaborative approach, unquestionable integrity, excellent communication skills and an outstanding work ethic. In addition, certain related abilities, attributes and skills will be critical, including: Being a strategic and systems thinker who proposes creative solutions to opportunities and challenges; A passion and vision for gift planning and the ability to build relationships with ease and comfort while exhibiting high personal integrity and ethical standards; A leader who understands that student-centered learning and an academic enterprise embracing excellent faculty and high-quality programs is the heart of Alverno College and the focus of all other efforts, projects and programs; Being a leader who supports the mission of Alverno College, embraces community engagement, appreciates the College s location in the Midwest and its collegial environment, can deal with ambiguity and uncertainty, is resilient following disappointment, and brings a sense of humor to the tasks at hand; An ability to work effectively with the President and Administrative Council and to articulate and embrace a shared vision; An ability to convert the College s approved Strategic Plan into concrete plans to garner support for its key initiatives and priorities; A track record of utilizing data-driven strategies that produce results; Openness to new initiatives and change; Expertise and demonstrated history of building a highly effective team; Intercultural competence demonstrated through work in diverse contexts; An ability to mentor, motivate, and empower colleagues and the Advancement team to achieve ambitious goals; A willingness and ability to travel and to work an extended and varied schedule that frequently involves evenings and weekends; and Knowledge of best and next practices in institutional advancement and alumni engagement. 7

8 NOMINATIONS AND INQUIRIES To apply, a candidate should prepare a thoughtful letter of interest addressing, as appropriate, the leadership opportunities and desired qualifications outlined in this profile. Include also a current resume (it should show relevant administrative responsibilities and accomplishments) and the names, phone numbers and addresses of at least five references and the candidate s relationship to each reference. References will be called at a later stage and only with the candidate s foreknowledge. By College policy and search committee affirmation, all information from and about candidates will be kept in strict confidence in perpetuity. For full consideration by the search committee, applications should be submitted by Dec. 22, Send materials as an attachment in Microsoft Word format to: AlvernoVPA@ academic-search.com. The search is being assisted by Academic Search Inc. Senior Consultant Maya Ranchod Kirkhope is leading the search and can be reached at mrk@academic-search. com or (703) Identifying leaders for higher education since Milwaukee, Wisconsin 8