Vice President for University Advancement

The Vice President for University Advancement (VPUA) provides strategic and operational leadership for all advancement functions including Development Alumni Relations and Marketing and Communications across Midwestern Universitys two campuses in Downers Grove Illinois and Glendale Arizona.

As a key member of the Presidents senior leadership team the VPUA will design and implement a comprehensive institution-wide advancement strategy that strengthens the Universitys philanthropic support alumni engagement and brand visibility. This leader will foster collaboration across both campuses while honoring their distinct cultures and traditions.

The VPUA will play a pivotal role in shaping and advancing Midwestern Universitys priorities including student scholarships academic innovation clinical and health service expansion and One Health initiatives. This position will guide a high-performing collaborative team and integrate advancement initiatives with the Universitys mission and long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with the President Chief Academic Officer Chief Financial Officer and other senior leaders to develop and execute a multi-year Advancement Strategic Plan aligned with institutional goals.
• Lead and align advancement strategies across both campuses ensuring consistent best practices shared services and responsiveness to campus-specific needs.
• Serve as a key partner in planning major capital initiatives program launches and clinical expansions where philanthropy plays a strategic role.
• Represent the University to major donors foundations corporations and alumni communities nationwide.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators across major and planned giving annual giving alumni engagement stewardship and campaign progress.
• Promote a culture of collaboration continuous improvement and ethical data-driven fundraising across all advancement operations.

Advancement Operations

• Oversee the full advancement cycle including prospect identification cultivation solicitation and stewardship.
• Strengthen major and planned giving programs to expand endowment resources foster transformational gifts and build long-term philanthropic partnerships that sustain institutional priorities.
• Lead annual giving initiatives and digital campaigns that build donor participation and broaden philanthropic engagement.
• Advance corporate and foundation relations by cultivating strategic partnerships aligned with the Universitys academic and clinical mission.
• Oversee alumni relations programs across both campuses including communications mentoring networks regional chapters and signature engagement events.
• Ensure rigorous and consistent donor recognition gift agreement compliance reporting and stewardship across campuses.
• Oversee marketing and communications efforts that advance both philanthropic and enrollment goals by strengthening storytelling brand consistency and digital engagement strategies that connect donors alumni and prospective students with the institutions mission and impact.
• Leverage data analytics CRM systems segmentation and reporting to strengthen donor pipelines and advancement effectiveness.

Team Leadership and Culture

• Build mentor and retain a talented collaborative advancement team across both campuses.
• Foster a unified advancement culture that values professional development shared accountability and cross-campus partnership.
• Promote diversity equity inclusion and belonging in advancement staffing volunteer engagement and donor relations.
• Align advancement activities with academic leadership faculty staff and clinic partners to fully integrate philanthropy into institutional life.
• Manage advancement budgets and optimize shared service models to ensure efficient use of resources.

Compliance Ethics and Best Practices

• Ensure all advancement operations comply with federal and state laws institutional policies and ethical standards (CASE AFP AHP).
• Maintain policies for gift acceptance donor privacy and data governance.
• Provide transparent regular reporting to the President and the Board of Trustees on advancement performance outcomes and strategic positioning.
• Serve as staff liaison or advisor to the Board of Trustees Advancement or Development Committee.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelors degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership in higher education advancement or major gift fundraising including experience leading multi-unit or multi-campus teams.
• Demonstrated success in securing major gifts (multi-seven or eight figures) annual giving growth planned gifts and campaign leadership.
• Experience in higher education healthcare or other mission-driven organizations with complex structures.
• Familiarity with health sciences education clinical operations and the philanthropic landscape for healthcare and allied health programs is highly desirable.
• Experience collaborating with deans faculty and clinic leadership to integrate philanthropy across academic and clinical settings.
• Proven ability to foster strong relationships with donors alumni and institutional partners across geographically diverse regions.

Leadership Skills and Competencies

• Strategic thinker with business acumen and the ability to translate institutional priorities into effective advancement strategies.
• Proven record as a team builder and mentor who inspires collaboration accountability and high performance.
• Exceptional interpersonal communication and storytelling skills; able to engage diverse stakeholders and convey institutional impact.
• Data-informed decision-maker with experience leveraging CRM systems analytics and dashboards to manage pipelines and outcomes.
• Entrepreneurial adaptable and resilient with the ability to lead in a dynamic environment where healthcare education philanthropy and innovation intersect.
• Deep commitment to ethical fundraising transparency and meaningful donor and alumni engagement.

Compensation and Institutional Support

The University offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and the dual-campus scope of responsibility. The VPUA will have access to strong presidential leadership dedicated advancement teams on both campuses and resources that include budget support and travel resources for donor engagement and regular coordination between the Downers Grove and Glendale campuses.

Midwestern University is a dynamic institution on the rise expanding its reach deepening its impact and shaping the future of health sciences education. With nationally recognized programs growing philanthropic investment and an unmistakable spirit of innovation MWU is poised to erupt onto the national stage. This is an exceptional opportunity for an advancement leader who thrives on building momentum driving collaboration and fueling a mission that transforms lives through education healthcare and community impact.

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past current or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class in accord withall federal state and local laws and regulations. Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/). Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.

Required Experience:

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