Vice President for University Advancement

The Vice President for University Advancement is the Chief Advancement/Fundraising Officer for the University and reports to the President and serves as a member of the University's senior leadership team.

Appoints, leads, and manages University Advancement staff including FAMU Foundation, University Advancement, and Alumni Affairs. Develops and submits grant proposals for funds from private foundations, corporations, and government agencies.

Maintains a dynamic portfolio of high net worth individuals and secures major, capital, and planned gifts, as well as advanced annual gifts and endowment support.

Prepares for upcoming campaign though comprehensive and effective campaign planning and execution.

The Vice President is responsible for planning and leading advancement initiatives to capitalize on the University’s success, engage a broad range of constituents and grow the endowment (click here for endowment website). Cultivating and stewarding relations, planning, and leading comprehensive advancement initiatives to engage a broad range of constituents and philanthropic partners.

Works closely with administrators and internal stakeholders to identify short-term and long-term fundraising priorities that align with the University’s Strategic Plan and fundraising goals. Develops plans and strategies to achieve those goals. Responsible for creating innovative ways to establish a sustainable culture of giving.

Manages the University’s portfolio of major and principle gift prospects and makes regular reports to the President, the FAMU Board of Trustees, and the FAMU Foundation Board of Directors.

Works with direct support organizations, including FAMU National Alumni Association, the FAMU Foundation, the Rattler Boosters, and other organizations that support the university to maximize fundraising and advance the university’s mission.

Provides overall leadership for all special project funding and special event programs for university enhancement. Coordinates, plans, and directs activities designed to secure annual and special support from corporate and foundation sources.

Promotes a positive image of the university, in collaboration with the Office of Communications, by focusing on the university’s external relationships within the community. Develops public relations materials to enhance institution image and promote fundraising programs.

Usss analytical skills to access data to determine best practices to implement for the purpose of identifying potential donors.

Prepares and administers the departmental budget(s).

Employs measures of accountability for compliance with pertinent laws, rules, and regulations.

Knowledge of donor record systems/CRMs, including oversight of records management, data integrity, and data analytics;

Ability to communicate effectively, verbally, and in writing;

Supports the mission of the university;

Ability to adhere to ethical business practices and promotes ethical behavior;

Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply related federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations;

Ability to provide leadership and direction in programmatic, budgetary, and operational functions;

Ability to provide leadership and direction in programmatic, budgetary, and operational functions;

Ability to maintain and improve personal and team effectiveness, and foster change and creativity;

Ability to identify trends, predict impact of actions on system operations, detect discrepancies in the function of an organization, and take necessary action to correct performance;

Knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply related University policies, procedures, principles, and practices;

Ability to represent the University in appointed area as required;

Demonstrated success in securing leadership and principle gifts;

Ability to successfully operate at the executive level, demonstrating executive presence and professionalism;

Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with key volunteer leadership and governance boards; and

Importance characteristics include a strong work ethic, personal integrity, strategic thinking, and planning skills.