JOB SUMMARY: The Vice President of Development reports directly to the President of SVSU and serves as a member of the executive team. The VP of Development is responsible for building a cohesive high-performing development team, providing oversight of annual fundraising goals and objectives. The development function also includes responsibility for capital campaigns, annual funds, corporate and foundation relations, major/principal gifts and gift planning, endowments, development operations, and alumni relations efforts. Units that report to the Vice President include: Development Office, SVSU Foundation, Alumni Relations, and Marshall Fredericks Sculpture Museum. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

•  Direct the activities of the development services, including budget management, personal supervision, planning, program and staff development, and evaluation.
• Serve as a member of the President’s leadership team and participate in formulating and administering University policies.
• Assess the growth potential and effectiveness of university development.
• Develop the culture of philanthropy, substantially and sustainably increase philanthropic support and engagement, and strengthen internal and external relationships on behalf of the institution.
• Support the president in his role as chief spokesperson and fundraiser, serving as an advisor and co-strategist in cultivating prospective donors, soliciting transformative gifts, and operationalizing bold ideas.
• Cultivating a strong working relationship with executive team peers, administrators, faculty, and staff across the university.
• Work collaboratively with marketing and communications to develop and implement a plan to increase awareness of the development efforts of the university.
• Represent the University on university, community, state, and national committees.
• Remain current with the trends and best practices pertaining to the field through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

General supervision is received from the University President

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Supervises Development Office, SVSU Foundation, Alumni Relations, and Marshall Frederick Sculpture Museum.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Duties are generally performed inside and not exposed to adverse conditions.
• Some weeknights and weekends, including intermittent travel, will be required.

The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job.  It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision.  The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

•  Bachelor’s degree.
• Seven years of progressively responsible fundraising and high-level leadership experience in a nonprofit development role or transferrable experience.
• Experience working with non-profit boards or volunteers.
• The credibility and sound judgment required to effectively engage and leverage leadership, volunteers, and other key constituents in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of key prospects and donors.
• Demonstrated experience leading fundraising campaigns.
• Superb interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across complex organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead effective, diverse management teams.
• Experience and ability to positively interact with a diverse campus community.
• Valid driver’s license with the ability to travel and work evenings and weekends when necessary.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodations.

PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

•  Master’s degree.
• Understanding of nonprofit development role, either in a higher education institution or within a complex, non-profit institution.

About Saginaw Valley State University

About SVSU: Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its more than 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. For eight consecutive years, SVSU has been recognized as a “Great College to Work For” (2016-2023). SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation. SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students’ performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels. More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in... student housing that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2022). SVSU fields 19 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students. For more information, please visit our website, http://www.svsu.edu.

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