Vice President Institutional Advancement

Reporting to the University President the Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VP IA) will serve as a key leader in rebuilding and reimagining the key concepts of advancement and alumni development at Adler University (Chicago Vancouver and online). The role will provide strategic guidance and oversee all global and regional engagement efforts. Primary responsibilities include advancing Adlers distinct historical and missiondriven identity by deepening engagement with students alumni and community partners across the Universitys global network.

The VP IA will be charged with launching new initiatives including but not limited to: a comprehensive fundraising campaign staffing enhancements and an overall redesign of the advancement and alumni functions. This leader will work closely with senior team members the advancement team and other key stakeholders to introduce and embed best practices in donor cultivation alumni engagement and philanthropic strategy ensuring alignment with Adlers mission and longterm institutional goals.

This position will be responsible for building a team and designing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes donor stewardship major and annual giving corporate and foundation partnerships planned giving and innovative approaches that leverage strategic communications and emerging and new technologies such as AI. The VP IA will work closely with the President and Board of Trustees to establish and meet ambitious fundraising goals identify ways to diversify revenue streams and build systems that deepen and strengthen relationships across Adler global communities.

Working alongside other senior leaders the VP IA will build unified strategic and collaborative approaches to institutional advancement. As one of the key institutional thought leaders this individual will drive innovation expand grant opportunities and position the Office of Institutional Advancement as a vital contributor to the Universitys growth sustainability and social impact.

Education/Experience

• Minimum of seven 7 years of progressive leadership experience in development and/or fundraising within a complex environment required; experience in higher education nonprofit or a related industry highly preferred.

• Demonstrated success in securing major gifts diversifying revenue streams and building and leading successful fundraising campaigns.

• Proven ability to cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with donors alumni corporate partners foundations and local national and international community partners

• Experience rebuilding and establishing a new strategic framework for an Office of Institutional Advancement aligning structure and goals with the universitys longterm vision.

• Experience managing multidimensional fundraising functions within nonprofit sectors including but not limited to grant and donor cultivation corporate and foundation relations and alumni development

• Proven success in implementing managing and sustaining advancement best practices including but not limited to best practices donor management systems emerging AI technologies and datadriven decisionmaking

• Track record of accomplishments in higher education including experience working with Boards of Trustees.

• Familiarity with the intersections of higher education academic medicine and health care systems.

• Prior experience offering strategic guidance and managing global and regional engagement activities

Strategic Leadership & Fundraising

• Develop and execute a comprehensive advancement strategy aligned with the universitys vision and philanthropic priorities.

• Support and guide the Presidents fundraising and engagement activities.

• Lead major fundraising initiatives including capital campaigns annual giving and planned giving programs.

• Cultivate solicit and steward major gifts from individuals corporations and foundations.

• Establish fundraising goals assess progress and drive continuous improvement in donor engagement and philanthropic support.

• Engage university partners in fundraising efforts including the President community partners Board of Trustees faculty and institutional leaders.

Alumni & Community Engagement

• Oversee alumni relations programs to foster lifelong engagement and support.

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with corporate foundation and community stakeholders.

• Represent the university at events and community initiatives to enhance visibility and philanthropic outreach.

• Set and track strategic goals for alumni engagement global donor cultivation and philanthropic support in alignment with institutional priorities.

• Oversee advancement initiatives that serve a globally diverse and growing population of alumni students and community partners across Adlers Chicago and Vancouver campuses.

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide strategic direction motivation and oversight to the advancement team to ensure high performance and goal achievement.

• Collaborate with university leadership faculty and staff to integrate advancement efforts with institutional priorities.

• Engage and support the Board of Trustees and other volunteer leaders in fundraising and constituent engagement activities.

• Establish and manage the Institutional Advancement office budget and resource allocation.

Marketing & Communications

• In partnership with the university marketing and communications team oversee advancementrelated communications including donor impact reports campaigns and messaging strategies.

• Enhance the universitys brand and philanthropic presence through storytelling digital engagement and events.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned to advance the universitys fundraising and engagement objectives.

• Ensure that all advancement activities operate in compliance with university policies and relevant laws and regulations; and

Characteristics of the Successful Candidate

• Fundraising & Strategic Leadership: Ability to identify and advance the Presidents fundraising priorities and serve as a champion for the universitys comprehensive campaign.

• Function Design & Strategy Development: Demonstrated experience in building or rebuilding an organizational function including developing a sustainable framework staffing model and longterm strategic plan.

• Globallyminded Entrepreneurial & Innovative Thinking: Innate ability to think globally strategically drive change and influence stakeholders locally nationally and internationally

• Collaboration & Interpersonal Skills: Strong leadership teamwork and relationshipbuilding skills with a positive and professional attitude.

• Project & Resource Management: Proven ability to manage agencies staff budgets and multiple projects efficiently in a fastpaced environment.

• ProblemSolving & Critical Thinking: Strong visioning analytical and problemsolving acumen with the ability to proactively address challenges.

• Adaptability & Stakeholder Engagement: Experience navigating dynamic environments working with internal and external stakeholders and leveraging influence to drive change.

• Research & Continuous Improvement: Strong research skills with the ability to identify opportunities for improvement and make datadriven recommendations.

• Travel Ability: Willingness to travel at least 30 with the President and advancement team members.

Supervision

The VP IA will assess and structure the advancement team as necessary to align with the universitys goals.

Anticipated Salary Range

$170000.00$210000.00 excluding potential bonuses.

Benefits Overview

Environment (Physical Demands): The usual and customary methods of performing the jobs functions require the following physical demands: some lifting carrying pushing and/or pulling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 80 sitting 10 walking and 10 standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Institutional Overview

Adler University is dedicated to advancing social justice and equipping students to lead purposeful lives through its innovative academic programs rooted in the legacy of Alfred Adler a pioneer of community psychology. With campuses in Chicago Vancouver and online Adler University fosters a diverse inclusive learning environment where students gain the skills to become socially responsible practitioners engaging communities to improve health and wellbeing.

Mission Vision Values

Universitys policy is that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity (EEO) protection. The university does not discriminate against any individual for employment because of age religion race color gender gender identity sexual orientation national origin ancestry marital status physical or mental disability military status (including unfavorable discharge from the military) or any other category protected by federal state or local law.