Vice President for University Advancement

Illinois Wesleyan University seeks an experienced Vice President for Advancement with a proven record of accomplishment and an in-depth understanding of contemporary philanthropy. The Vice President will lead Advancement and Alumni operations, as the University enters into a comprehensive campaign for which planning has already begun. The Vice President will have responsibility for designing and implementing fund-raising strategy, as well recruiting and developing talented team members. The Advancement Office includes: major gifts, leadership giving, gift planning, capital campaigns, research, donor discovery and alumni engagement, annual giving, stewardship, and advancement operations. The University’s Grants Officer reports to Academic Affairs, maintaining a “dotted line” responsibility to Advancement.

The Vice President reports directly to the President and works closely with the President in all phases of his/her advancement and campaign leadership activities. The Vice President is a key member of the university's administrative leadership team. He or she will work collaboratively with other university administrators, deans, faculty members, and the Board of Trustees to determine areas of need and aspiration, identify opportunities for institutional support, and engage with external constituencies to advance both short-  and long-term goals in support of the university's mission. 

The Vice President serves as staff liaison to the Board of Trustees and the Board Committee on Advancement, providing professional insights on philanthropic strategy. He or she will be expected to stay abreast of legal and regulatory developments particularly relevant to major and planned gifts.

The successful candidate will embrace Illinois Wesleyan's tradition of excellence in both the liberal arts and pre-professional education, and will demonstrate the ability to inspire donors, the Board, faculty, and staff to raise the resources for IWU to flourish. He or she will maintain active engagement with the advancement profession and contribute to Illinois Wesleyan's visibility in the higher education community.

About the University

Illinois Wesleyan University is a nationally ranked, private, residential liberal arts institution, enrolling approximately 1600 students. The University has gained a national reputation for academic excellence and preparing alumni for success.. Recent graduates of this vibrant intellectual institution are ranked first for salaries among four year colleges in Illinois and in the top 6% nationally. IWU is consistently recognized as one of the top universities in the nation for fostering students’ social mobility.

The 82-acre, tree-lined campus features excellent academic facilities, including the 5-story Ames Library, the Center for Natural Science, and the Center for Liberal Arts. State Farm Hall  houses the business programs, including a state-of-the-art Bloomberg Lab. The home of the School of Nursing includes a simulation laboratory.  Ground-breaking will soon begin on the Petrick Idea Center, a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, which will adjoin the Ames School of Art and Design. The Shirk Center for Athletics and Recreation is a beautiful facility, widely used by the larger community, as well as by campus members. The two major residence halls for first-year students have been fully renovated in the past two years.

The University’s most recent fund raising campaign, “Transforming Lives,” concluded in 2014, having raised $16 million above the original goal of $125 million.

The Community

The adjoining cities of Bloomington and Normal are frequently noted among the best places in America to live and work, with a highly educated workforce, numerous cultural and recreational options, and a diverse economy. The twin cities host the headquarters of insurance giants State Farm and Country Financial, the electric automobile manufacturer, Rivian, and the only North American facility of the global confectionery company, Ferrero. Normal is the home of Illinois State University, which adds substantially to the number of faculty and students living and working in the twin cities.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred. 

   

  Minimum of five years’ experience in the development field required, preferably within the realm of higher education. History of successful major gift solicitation and progressive leadership experience.

   

  This position requires the ability to project a strong positive image of the University through personal interaction with all external clients and constituents, and the ability to motivate people. Relationship-building skills with constituents from a variety of backgrounds and a range of generations.  Ability to navigate conversations across differing cultural and political viewpoints.

   

  Job requires frequent travel and attendance at evening and/or weekend activities, meetings, events, seminars and workshops.

   

  Valid US driver's license.

   

Application Information:

Please submit a cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references.   Within the cover letter, applicants should share their understanding of inclusion and how their experiences have prepared them to contribute to the IWU commitment of building a diverse and inclusive environment.  

Review of complete applicant materials will begin immediately, with a priority apply-by date of Monday, July 29. The position will remain open until filled.

Email:  hr@iwu.edu

Illinois Wesleyan University
Human Resources, Holmes 209
1312 N. Park Street
Bloomington, IL  61701
Fax:  309-556-1710

The final candidate will pass a pre-employment background investigation. 

An overview of IWU benefits can be found here. Illinois Wesleyan University does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.

Illinois Wesleyan University is committed to recruiting, supporting, and fostering a diverse, inclusive, and civil community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students. We seek candidates who have a demonstrated commitment to supporting and further building our community in these dimensions. Illinois Wesleyan University is an EEO Employer.  Illinois Wesleyan University’s sexual misconduct policy may be accessed at www.iwu.edu/human-resources/SexualMisconductPolicy.html.  Illinois Wesleyan University is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusive excellence; details at www.iwu.edu/diversity.