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Vice President of University Advancement


Job Location:

Marion, IA - USA

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer
Posted: 8 August 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 5 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Job Title: Vice President of University Advancement

Reporting Relationship: University President

Unit: Central Administration

Department: University Advancement - Central Administration

Campus Location: John Wesley Admin Building Marion IN

Summary of Position: The Vice President for University Advancement serves as the Universitys chief advancement officer and a member of the Presidents Cabinet. Reporting directly to the President the Vice President provides strategic leadership for all fundraising donor engagement alumni and constituent relations university relations and advancement operations in support of the Universitys mission and long-term strategic priorities.

The Vice President will lead and execute a comprehensive advancement strategy that strengthens on-going philanthropic support deepens constituent engagement elevates the Universitys public profile and advances a multi-year comprehensive campaign. The Vice President will serve as a trusted advisor to the President Board of Trustees and senior leadership team while building meaningful relationships with alumni donors churches foundations corporations and community leaders.

*** NOTE: Inquiries nominations and applications may be directed in confidence to Gonser Gerber Search at . To apply please submit a cover letter resume and three (3) professional references. Nominations and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. References will not be contacted until later in the search process.***


Duties and Responsibilities

  • Strategic Advancement Leadership
    • Provide vision leadership and accountability for a comprehensive advancement program aligned with the Universitys mission values and strategic plan
    • Serve as a member of the Presidents Cabinet and strategic advisor regarding philanthropy constituent engagement communications and external relations
    • Develop annual and long-range advancement plans goals budgets and performance metrics
    • Foster a culture of philanthropy across the institution and engage faculty staff trustees alumni and friends in advancing the Universitys mission
    • Ensure advancement programs reflect and support the Universitys Christian identity and commitment to faith-centered education
    • Develops and administers the budget for the University Advancement Department
  • Comprehensive Campaign Leadership
    • Provide executive leadership for a multi-year comprehensive fundraising campaign
    • Partner with the President campaign leadership volunteers and Board members to secure transformational philanthropic investments
    • Develop campaign strategies goals volunteer structures prospect pipelines and stewardship initiatives
    • Monitor campaign progress and provide regular reports to institutional leadership and governing boards
    • Lead campaign planning implementation and successful completion while building sustainable fundraising capacity for the future
  • Major and Principal Giving
    • Provide strategic oversight for major and planned giving programs
    • Maintain a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and donors
    • Personally cultivate solicit and steward significant philanthropic commitments in support of institutional priorities
    • Partner with the President and key volunteers in developing and executing donor strategies
    • Ensure robust systems for prospect identification qualification cultivation solicitation and stewardship
    • Expand support from individuals churches foundations and corporate partners
  • Annual Giving Leadership
    • Provide strategic oversight for all annual giving programs
    • Develop integrated multi-channel strategies to increase donor participation retention and annual philanthropic support
    • Strengthen leadership annual giving alumni giving parent giving faculty/staff giving and digital engagement initiatives
    • Establish measurable goals and metrics that grow the Universitys donor pipeline and future major gift prospects
  • University Relations and Communications
    • Provide strategic oversight for University Relations efforts including alumni engagement public relations marketing communications and constituent outreach
    • Strengthen relationships with alumni churches community leaders and strategic partners
    • Ensure effective communication of the Universitys mission achievements and impact to key audiences
    • Collaborate with institutional leaders to enhance the Universitys visibility reputation and brand
  • Advancement Services and Operations
    • Provide oversight for advancement services including:
      • Advancement technology and CRM management
      • Prospect research and prospect management
      • Gift processing and reporting
      • Advancement data integrity and analytics
      • Donor stewardship and recognition programs
      • Campaign and fundraising reporting systems
    • Ensure the advancement enterprise operates efficiently with strong policies procedures and performance measures in cooperation with the Chief Information Officer of Information Technology
    • Utilize data and analytics to inform strategic decision-making and fundraising effectiveness
  • Board and Volunteer Engagement
    • Partner with the President and Board of Trustees to advance philanthropic priorities
    • Support advancement-related Board committees and volunteer leadership structures
    • Recruit train and engage volunteers who can support fundraising campaign leadership and constituent engagement efforts
  • Team Leadership
    • Provide leadership supervision coaching and professional development for advancement staff
    • Build and maintain a highly collaborative mission-driven and results-oriented advancement team
    • Establish clear expectations accountability measures and professional growth opportunities
  • Supervisory Responsibilities Supervisory responsibility over staff hires (makes hiring decisions) oversees staff work (directs work activities) and evaluates staff work (completes performance reviews/addresses performance concerns)

Qualifications:According to Indiana Wesleyan University employment policy all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.

Education

  • Required
    • Demonstrated a vital Christian faith and commitment to advancing the mission of Christian higher education
    • According to Indiana Wesleyan Universitys employment policy all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement
    • Significant progressively responsible leadership experience in advancement philanthropy fundraising or related fields
    • Proven success securing major and principal gifts
    • Experience leading comprehensive fundraising initiatives and campaigns
    • Exceptional relationship-building communication and leadership skills
  • Preferred
    • Bachelors degree or advanced professional credential and at least seven years of progressive and successful leadership and advancement experience
    • Experience in Christian higher education or faith-based nonprofit organizations
    • Experience leading a comprehensive or capital campaign with multi-million-dollar fundraising goals
    • Knowledge of advancement services donor databases prospect management systems and fundraising analytics

Experience

  • Desired Leadership Characteristics
    The successful candidate will demonstrate:
    • Spiritual maturity with a deep personal commitment to Christian faith and values
    • Strategic thinking and visionary leadership
    • High integrity humility and servant leadership
    • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
    • Ability to inspire generosity and engage diverse constituencies
    • Collaborative leadership style with strong organizational and management skills
    • Passion for the mission of Christian higher education and student transformation

Required Skills

  • A worldview that is in harmony with the mission and goals of Indiana Wesleyan University and an affirmation without reservation of the Universitys doctrinal statement
  • A commitment to Christian higher education
  • The candidate must possess exceptional verbal and writing skills and be capable of communicating persuasively with leaders and constituents at all levels
  • The ideal candidate must possess a vital personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The candidate must effectively embrace and articulate the mission of Indiana Wesleyan University and be in harmony with the doctrines and practices of The Wesleyan Church
  • A collaborative leadership style is expected to effectively work with key University leaders and stakeholders to foster healthy long-term relationships with the Universitys many constituents

IWU Kingdom Diversity Statement

IWU in covenant with Gods reconciling work and in accordance with the Biblical principles of our historic Wesleyan tradition commits to build a community that reflects Kingdom diversity. We will foster an intentional environment for living teaching and learning which exhibits honor respect and dignity. Acknowledging visible or invisible differences our community authentically values each members earthly and eternal worth. We refute ignorance and isolation and embrace deliberate and courageous engagement that exhibits Christs commandment to love all humankind.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

As a religious educational institution operating under the auspices of The Wesleyan Church Indiana Wesleyan University is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees on the basis of religion (42 U.S.C. Sections 2000e-1 and 2000e-2).

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities duties and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.


Required Experience:

Exec


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Since the beginning, Indiana Wesleyan University has been committed to changing the world by developing Christlike students who live with character, pursue academic excellence, and exhibit exemplary leadership qualities.

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