Assistant Vice President for External Relations & Engagement

Highlights:
Exempt, hybrid role
Benefits package: A robust Employee Assistance Program, access to the Koret Health and Recreation Center, generous 401(a) plan, Tuition Remission, Monthly Commuter Stipend, and more! Visit us at https://myusf.usfca.edu/human-resources/benefits to learn more!
USF is deeply committed to the health and well-being of our team! Visit us at https://myusf.usfca.edu/human-resources/benefits/wellness-benefits to learn more.
USF also offers a positive work life balance and learning & development opportunities.Visit us at https://myusf.usfca.edu/human-resources to learn more.
The University of San Francisco:
The University of San Francisco seeks a highly accomplished leader for the position of Assistant Vice President for External Relations & Engagement (AVP) to join the leadership team in the Development Division. The AVP will play a pivotal role in steering external relations and communications for the campaign. The AVP will also lead cohesive and compelling engagement, and special event strategies for donors, families and the more than 120,000 USF alumni.
Reporting to the Vice President for Development, The AVP is responsible for planning, directing, integrating and managing all aspects of the University of San Francisco Engagement and external relations efforts, including the work of those teams within the unit. As an inspiring mentor and team builder, the AVP will impart knowledge, provide guidance, lead, motivate, and sustain a strong team. The AVP will have regular contact with members of the Development management team, the University leadership team,Trustee Development CommitteeAlumni Association Board of Directors, Alumni Affinity Boards, Alumni Regional Councils and other key USF alumni, family and friends.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
The University of San Francisco completed its largest-ever campaign in 2022, and launched a $500M comprehensive campaign immediately following. The AVP will be tasked with leading outreach efforts to build and sustain commitment and engagement among alumni and friends of all generations, with a special focus on meaningful programming and volunteer opportunities for major donors. USF alumni, families and donors play a vital role in the life of the institution and as a group will factor heavily into USF’s future success as an institution.
Lead communications, strategic planning, engagement and fundraising alignment alongside the VP of Development, fellow AVPs, campus leaders, as well as board leadership in order to achieve goals.
Grow an engagement and events program rooted in best practices in the field and utilize a market research-based approach to segmentation and communications.
Work closely with the key campus partners to achieve institutional objectives that both satisfy annual expectations and look toward setting a strong foundation for the long-term health of USF.
Responsible for ensuring best practices are followed on budgetary and operational matters and that programs are well executed in alignment with the USF mission.
Alumni Engagement and Special Events
Working closely with and overseeing the Sr. Directors for Alumni Engagement and Events, provide strategic oversight, mentorship and vision for engagement, and special event programs that will inspire the USF constituencies and move forward institutional fundraising priorities through giving.
Work collaboratively with University leaders and front-line fundraisers to develop the overarching vision and strategic plan for the University’s alumni, events and engagement program, and identify the portfolio of programs and activities to be implemented.
Design an overall Development events strategy, which includes alumni engagement, parents and families, presidential and other Development-sponsored events to optimize identification, cultivation and stewardship impact.
Play a central role in designing the public kick-off and launch of the campaign. Help ensure that the celebration reflects the campaign philosophy and priorities.
Provide strategy and oversight of signature annual development events, including but not limited to: Women in Leadership Symposium, the Silk Speaker Series and Alumni and Family Weekend.
Additional responsibilities will include but are not limited to: prospect qualification and cultivation; programming, support and leadership alongside the Sr. Director for Alumni Engagement for Alumni Board relations and engagement; volunteer management; events and reunions; leadership and staff development; and data acquisition and analysis.
Underlying all work will be the responsibility for tying alumni engagement and events into the strategy and achievement of broader USF philanthropic goals including the comprehensive campaign
Communications and External Relations .
Oversee Communications, working closely with Development and University leadership to develop the campaign’s formal identity and theme and be charged with communicating the campaign brand both internally and externally.
Work closely with the Associate Vice Presidents for Revenue and Operations to monitor and report on progress with the University’s most important donor prospects on campaign priorities, and coordinate appropriate communications initiatives and events related to the campaign.
Oversee Development Communications, which is responsible for proactively telling stories of donor impact and crafting a comprehensive campaign and donor communications strategy, encouraging collaboration across campus to create a donor-driven communications strategy to drive engagement and philanthropic revenue as we enter the next campaign.
Partner and be an active advocate with leadership for engagement and external relations, to include Cabinet and campaign leadership Marketing Communications,and Academic Affairs.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree required.
Graduate degree in Business Administration or a related field, or 12+ years of relevant work experience preferred.
Minimum of eight years of experience in development and fundraising. Higher education experience is preferred.
Strong knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, including strategies for donor identification, campaign planning, cultivation and solicitation.
Commitment to Diversity, Engagement and Inclusion in all elements of work, including storytelling, communications content, engagement strategies and event speakers.
Significant experience and success in building trusted relationships with volunteer leadership.
Skilled collaborator who is able to inspire and leverage broad support and participation in order to produce results.
Demonstrated success in leading, mentoring, and managing a strong professional team and will have knowledge of best practices in metric-driven, market-tested engagement and events programs.
Outstanding written, oral and interpersonal communications skills and political acumen to establish and maintain good working relationships within all organizational levels and with outside constituencies.
Advanced project management skills and proven analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving skills.
Occasional travel and work on nights and weekends may be required.
Additional Knowledge Skills & Abilities
The successful candidate will be an innovative, forward-thinking, mission driven leader with exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with senior leadership, donors, staff, faculty, and alumni of all ages and demographics. They will be a compelling, charismatic manager who has the ability to inspire and motivate with creativity, energy, and a sense of humor. As such, the AVP should also be able to create an environment that is conducive to open and direct communication with individuals of varying degrees of involvement with the University and its work. They should have the ability to think strategically, generate new ideas, plan, and set goals and objectives, as well as implement and follow-through on these goals.

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