Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)
Blacksburg, Virginia
THE SEARCH
Virginia Tech, a premier public research university dedicated to excellence in education, research, and engagement, seeks a dynamic and visionary leader. Reporting directly to the President, the Senior Vice President for Advancement will provide strategic leadership that builds on Virginia Tech’s record of outstanding performance and achievement. As a CASE 50- designated organization, the university’s aligned and integrated advancement model comprises development, engagement, and marketing and communications, with dual reporting relationships across academic colleges and other university units.
The Senior Vice President fosters a culture of philanthropy aligned with the university’s strategic priorities, driving the momentum needed to reach a $500M annual fundraising goal. The role requires a seasoned professional with the demonstrated ability to manage high- performing teams in a large and complex higher education environment, foster relationships with diverse stakeholders, and secure major philanthropic support. Committed to Virginia Tech’s public land-grant mission and its guiding ethos, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), the Senior Vice President collaborates closely with the President, Board of Visitors, and university leadership to advance institutional priorities and enhance philanthropic engagement.
Serving as a key member of the President’s Cabinet and President’s Council, the Senior Vice President works to strengthen Virginia Tech’s national and international profile, align advancement strategies with university goals, and deepen relationships with internal and external stakeholders. This includes serving as Executive Vice President of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors, playing an active role in the Leadership Council of Boards, and engaging alumni volunteers and university leaders to support strategic priorities. The Senior Vice President serves as an ex-officio director on the Board of the Virginia Tech Foundation, and liaison to the Foundation’s Development and Nominating Committee.
Reporting Relationship
The Senior Vice President for Advancement reports to the University President, Tim Sands, and will serve on the President’s Cabinet and President’s Council. The Senior Vice President will oversee a growing and dynamic organization of approximately 340 centralized and embedded advancement professionals, including six direct reports, which include the Vice President for Advancement and the Vice President for Marketing and Communications.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
• Lead the advancement division through an established 10-year comprehensive, multi-year fundraising, engagement, and communications growth model that drives philanthropic contributions from today’s $250 million annual level to a $500 million level, drawing on support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other sources. This includes reaching ambitious yet achievable goals, securing resources for key funding priorities, and executing targeted cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Provide strategic counsel and support for the President, establishing a strong working relationship that maximizes efforts in the development of philanthropic support. Assist in the transition of university leadership and administration, as appropriate.
• Work closely with the President, Executive Vice President and Provost, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, deans, vice presidents, athletics director, and other senior leaders to identify fundraising priorities, participate in strategic planning, and develop collaborative strategies in support of the university’s priorities, initiatives, and opportunities.
• Implement best practices and continuously assess existing programs, including annual giving; principal, leadership, and major gifts; planned giving; corporate and foundation relations; and alumni engagement; prospect research; relationship management; stewardship; marketing and communications; and identify opportunities for improvement and innovation.
• Utilize data analytics to track progress toward goals, measure the effectiveness of programs, and inform strategic decision-making. Provide regular reports to the President, Board of Visitors, and other key stakeholders.
Fundraising and Development
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward a select group of principal and transformational gift prospects
• Provide vision and active leadership to the principal and major gift team in their work to secure major, principal, and transformational gifts
• Provide leadership to LINK: Center for Advancing Partnerships team in their work to provide university-level support to deliver engagement and philanthropic opportunities for companies and foundations.
• Ensure effective coordination of advancement efforts across the university system, aligning college- and unit-level priorities with institutional goals. Facilitate collaboration among academic and administrative leaders to maximize fundraising opportunities.
• Lead the planning and execution of comprehensive fundraising campaigns. This includes setting campaign goals, developing campaign messaging, and managing campaign resources.
• Represent the university at external events and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, community leaders, and industry partners.
Engagement
• Serve as the Executive Vice President for the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors.
• Play an active role in the continuing development of the Leadership Council of Boards.
• Serve as ex-officio Board Director for the Virginia Tech Foundation Board, serving as liaison for the Development and Nominating Committee.
• Recognize the important role alumni play in the long-term success of Virginia Tech by fostering collaboration between university administration and the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, Leadership Council of Boards, and other alumni volunteers.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance and sustain alumni engagement and participation in philanthropic giving, volunteer opportunities, and other forms of support. Foster strong relationships with alumni networks and organizations.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with the Board of Visitors, Alumni Association, Foundation Board, and other key volunteers. Engage them in fundraising and engagement activities.
Marketing and Communications
• Collaborate closely with the Vice President for Marketing and Communications, who reports jointly to the President and Senior Vice President for Advancement, to ensure a cohesive and compelling institutional narrative that supports advancement goals. This includes oversight of WVTF RadioIQ, a non-commercial educational public radio station that can be heard across all of Virginia. It is owned by the Virginia Tech Foundation and operated by Virginia Tech within the Advancement division.
• Oversee the development and execution of impactful and aligned marketing and communications strategies across all university-, college-, and unit-level platforms. Management and Team Leadership
• Provide leadership, management, and mentorship to a large team of advancement professionals. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and high performance.
• Assess the effectiveness of the current organizational structure and make recommendations for improvements. Recruit, hire, and develop talented staff.
• Oversee the budget for the Advancement division, ensuring responsible and efficient use of resources.
• Establish clear performance goals and metrics for the advancement team.
• Foster a positive and inclusive work environment that upholds the university’s Principles of Community.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS
Required Qualifications
• An advanced degree and extensive experience in a collaborative, integrated, and aligned university advancement model
• A proven track record of success in leading and managing large, complex organizations
• A demonstrated ability to cultivate and steward relationships with diverse constituencies
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
CONTACT INFORMATION
The Search Committee will begin reviewing candidates immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For best consideration, all applications, nominations, and confidential inquiries should be submitted by March 15, 2025. Applications should include a resume. Cover letters are welcome but optional.
For additional information about the Senior Vice President for Advancement position and a full job profile please visit- : https://www.president.vt.edu/svpa-search.html
Applications, nominations, recommendations, or confidential inquiries should be made to:
Lisa. J. Wilkes, Ph.D., Office of the President
email: svpsearch@vt.edu Phone: 540-231-6231
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact:
Eleanor Webster, Office of the President
email: pres_office@vt.edu Phone: 540-231-6231
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact the Office for Equity and Accessibility at 540-231-2010
