Walla Walla University is seeking a Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Engagement (VPAAE). This position is full-time, exempt position with a salary range from $99,424.03 - $111,312.75 annually. Benefits include comprehensive medical, retirement, free tuition, tuition assistance for dependents, generous paid time off, and more! To learn more and apply, visit: jobs.wallawalla.edu. 

Why This Role Matters: Walla Walla University

The leadership of Walla Walla University believes now, more than ever, society needs truly transformational higher education. A fractured world requires colleges and universities that not only produce capable scholars and reliable professionals but extraordinary citizens. Revival of our land, renewal of our public discourse, repair of our institutions, neighborhoods, and faith communities will only come about through fresh creation of a smart, useful, credible, imaginative, high-character generation of human beings.

This vision, the original purpose of higher education, cultivates an integrated view of the reality, rich in ultimate meaning, critical thought, moral impulse, and humble service. Faithful institutions of higher education, therefore, are primary and powerful institutions, determined and equipped to change and heal our world.

Walla Walla University was founded upon and continues to pursue this lofty purpose. Our primal identity is potent: “We are a community of faith and discovery.” Community welcomes learning in authentic human relationship. Faith invites consideration of God, of transcendent ideas, beliefs, behaviors, and hope. Discovery stimulates innovation, and real action, in making the world a better place.

Walla Walla University is prepared to pursue our mission, our original purpose, in growing measure in the days and years ahead. This is a season of Christocentric Crescendo on this campus: the transformational way of Jesus Christ is not only our inheritance but the rocket fuel of our future. Our invitation to join this movement, therefore, is bold: Do you want to change the world? Do you want to participate in infusing the way of Jesus, bringing new tenderness and truth, fresh kindness and character, in this moment?  If this is what you desire: Work here. Teach here. Learn here. Volunteer here. And yes, invest a million dollars, or two, here.

Why This Role Matters: Advancement and Alumni Engagement

The newly created position – Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement – is at the very heart of this ambitious vision. The capable leader in this role will work alongside the president of the university and the board of trustees in transforming the university and intensifying its mission. This senior level administrator will not only steward mature management of people and processes but hold primary responsibility for creation of a bold strategic vision and a meaningful campaign to transform the life and capabilities of the university.

Tuition revenue is only part of the financial contribution needed toward a sustainable, prevailing future. A massive infusion of philanthropy – from public and private sources, will be required. Walla Walla University will pursue a wave of deep and broad investment like never before. We will fund student scholarships, revitalize our already beautiful campuses, and construct a sizeable endowment that will gift multigenerational security and missional strength to the institution. 

Faculty, staff, and student engagement is only part of the energy and participation needed toward a bright, impactful future. A revolutionary approach in building Walla Walla University alumni experience, alumni networks, and ongoing alumni investment is required. The institution will reimagine its alumni as permanent members of this unique learning community, adding and creating value through a lifetime of meaningful collaboration.

Why This Role Matters: Some Pertinent Aspects of the Job

• The VPAAE will serve with and be a member of the senior leadership team of the university alongside the president and other vice presidents, designing and deploying institutional mission and major strategic priorities
• The VPAAE will be a member of the president’s cabinet, active in providing wisdom and creative thought in the operations of the university
• The VPAAE will lead an initial team of approximately 10 professionals, including fundraising, data, marketing, and events professionals. The size of the team will grow as the scale and performance of the body of work develops.
• The VPAAE will engage an alumni database of approximately 47,000 individuals.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 1. Strategic Leadership: 

• Collaborates with the president and senior leadership to identify and prioritize fundraising needs and opportunities, including a sizable scholarship endowment.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive advancement strategy that aligns with the university’s strategic goals and includes building a sizeable scholarship endowment.
• Leads the advancement team in executing fundraising campaigns, alumni engagement initiatives, and strategic partnership efforts.

2. Fundraising and Development: 

• Oversees all aspects of fundraising, including major gifts, planned giving, annual giving, and capital campaigns.
• Cultivates relationships with major donors, foundations, corporations, and other funding sources.
• Develops and maintains a robust donor pipeline to ensure sustainable revenue growth.

3. Alumni Relations:

• Enhances alumni engagement through innovative programs, events, and communication strategies.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with alumni to foster a sense of community and encourage philanthropic support.
• Oversees the management of alumni data and leverages technology to improve alumni outreach and engagements.

4. Strategic Partnerships:

• Identifies and develops strategic partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and other institutions to advance the university’s mission.
• Leverages partnerships to create new opportunities for fundraising, student internships, research collaborations, and other initiatives.
• Represent the university in external forums and cultivate a positive image of WWU in the community.

5. Team Leadership and Development:

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for the Advancement team.
• Fosters a collaborative and results-driven work environment that encourages innovation and excellence.
• Oversees the recruitment, training, and performance management of Advancement staff.

6. Communications and Marketing:

• Works closely with the Marketing and Enrollment Services Department to develop compelling messaging and marketing materials that support advancement efforts.
• Ensures consistent and effective communication with donors, alumni, and other stakeholders.

7. Budget and Resource Management:

• Develops and manages the advancement budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to achieve strategic objectives.
• Monitors and reports on fundraising progress and financial performance to the President, VP of Finance, and Board of Trustees.
• Ensures compliance with all relevant regulations and best practices in fundraising and advancement.

8. Other Duties:

• Serves on the President’s Cabinet and committees as required for the position.
• Performs other duties as assigned formally or informally, orally or in writing.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in philanthropy, marketing/sales, communications, public relations or other equivalent degree; master’s degree preferred.  
• Licenses/Certifications: N/A
• Experience/Skills
  • Years of experience: Five to seven years of successful experience in fundraising and development, preferably in higher education. Three to five years of experience in leadership and employee management.
  • Quality/Compliance: Achieving a standard of excellence with our work processes and outcomes, demonstrating strong attention to detail, honoring University policies and all regulatory requirements, and maintaining confidentiality.
  • Customer Focus: Striving for high customer satisfaction, going out of their way to be helpful and pleasant, making it easy as possible on the customer rather than our department or the University.
  • Communication: Balancing listening and talking, speaking and writing clearly and accurately, influencing others, keeping others informed.
  • Collegiality: Being helpful, respectful, approachable and team-oriented, building strong working relationships and a positive work environment, and ability to relate to and work with diverse groups of people.
  • Initiative: Taking ownership of work responsibilities, doing what is needed without being asked, following through.
  • Efficiency: Planning ahead, managing time well, being on time and dependable, being cost conscious, thinking of better ways to do things.
  • Coachability: Being receptive to feedback, willing to learn, embracing continuous improvement.
  • People management: Setting clear expectations, reviewing progress, providing timely feedback and guidance, holding people accountable.

ADDITIONAL JOB-SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS 

• Strong social skills: the desire and skill to initiate and nurture ongoing relationships with faculty, senior academic leaders, trustees, volunteers and staff according to WWU’s code of conduct and standards.
• Exceptional listening and communication skills: strong verbal, written and interpersonal skills with a clear ability to convey information positively and in a timely manner.
• Flexibility to work outside normal office hours and to handle unexpected requests.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems—ability to exercise good judgment, exhibit creativity, and work with others to develop solutions.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects. Ability to delegate tasks and direct others in a detailed, consistent and thoughtful manner.
• Budget management: forecasting, product and pricing decisions, monitoring employee labor hours against budget, reconciliation of accounts.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word and Excel.

Submit an application now, by visiting: jobs.wallawalla.edu