Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement

Stevens Institute of Technology

Hoboken, NJ

Stevens Institute of Technology seeks an experienced, creative, and dedicated development professional to join the university as Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement. Guided by the visionary leadership of President Nariman Farvardin, the vice president will serve as a key member of the executive team that sets strategic direction for Stevens during an exciting time of growth. This is an outstanding opportunity to partner with Dr. Farvardin, work closely with him to cultivate lifelong relationships between Stevens and its alumni, and enhance the visibility and fundraising capabilities of the institution.

Celebrating its sesquicentennial anniversary in 2020, Stevens is a vibrant private research university located in Hoboken, New Jersey, overlooking the Manhattan skyline. Since its founding in 1870, technological innovation has been the hallmark of Stevens’ educational and research programs. The university is composed of four schools where more than 7,200 undergraduate and graduate students collaborate with approximately 600 full- and part-time faculty members in an interdisciplinary, student-centric, entrepreneurial environment to advance the frontiers of science and leverage technology to confront global challenges. Stevens is on a steep, upward trajectory. Stevens has experienced a 52% growth in undergraduate enrollment since 2010, coincident with a 224% increase in undergraduate applications and a 170-point increase in the median SAT score of enrolled freshmen over the same period.  Stevens ranks #13 in the nation in PayScale’s mid-career salary report, and 96% of graduates accept employment, enter graduate school or secure other outcomes within six months of graduation.  Total FTE graduate enrollment has grown 35% since 2010, accompanied by a 191% increase in applications and strong growth in Ph.D. enrollment. In addition, there has been a sharp increase in research awards, major facilities expansion, including a new academic building which opened in Fall 2019 and a new University Center/Student Residence scheduled to open in 2022, and significant improvement in the overall financial profile of the university.

The vice president will join Stevens in the midst of its record-setting $200 million The Power of Stevens comprehensive capital campaign, which marks the largest and most ambitious fundraising effort in the university’s 149-year history. The vice president will identify compelling ways to maximize engagement among alumni, parents, students, and other members of the Stevens community. Additionally, the next vice president will further strengthen Stevens’ Division of Development and Alumni Engagement through the introduction of innovative and data-driven outreach and fundraising strategies that will result in broadening the donor base and diversifying and increasing philanthropic revenue, as well as best positioning Stevens to respond to the evolving nature of philanthropy. As a result, this leader will establish an overarching vision and implement best practices to elevate the productivity of the Division and lead the evolution of the Development and Alumni Engagement operation as it adapts to a changing social, educational, and technological climate. Specifically, the next vice president will be responsible for recruiting, inspiring, and motivating the team to meet aggressive goals that include: building a culture of philanthropy among students, faculty, and staff; enhancing donor discovery efforts; growing the annual fund; increasing the major and principal gift pipeline, including unaffiliated and institutional donors; identifying and securing external grants in collaboration with faculty; recruiting and sustaining an active and successful cohort of volunteers; enhancing stewardship programs; significantly strengthening the corporate and foundation fundraising efforts; and expanding and strengthening a sustainable infrastructure to support future fundraising efforts.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a high-performing, strategic development professional to build upon Stevens’ forward-looking ambitions to create a best-in-class program that contributes to a holistic culture of philanthropy. The successful candidate will exemplify and embody Stevens’ mission and values and will be able to champion the university to a broad group of constituencies. The vice president will have a deep understanding of and passion for the rich history, mission, and goals of this outstanding technology university, and will work closely with the president, senior staff, and the board of trustees, to bring Stevens’ development and alumni engagement programs to new levels of excellence.

With responsibility for leading a team of approximately 37 professionals, the vice president will be an experienced team leader adept at maximizing, leveraging, and advocating for a talented staff, and facilitating cohesion and team success. At least 10 years of leadership experience in development, constituency engagement, and management is preferred, as is a comprehensive knowledge of strategies employed in all major development and alumni engagement functions, including campaigns. The successful candidate must demonstrate a high level of integrity and trust; exhibit the credibility and sophistication to engage effectively and collegially and partner with key internal and external stakeholders; be a self-starter with a sense of urgency and a clear set of priorities; and have the ability to adapt to changing circumstances in a complex environment. A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

Stevens Institute of Technology has retained Jack Gorman of Isaacson, Miller, an international executive search firm, to assist in conducting this important search. For more information, to make a nomination, or to apply for this role, please visit: http://www.imsearch.com/7245

Stevens is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.