Assistant Vice President, Strategic Philanthropy

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Position Summary:

Florida Atlantic University seeks a deeply experienced, creative, and dynamic fundraiser to help lead a relationship-focused, results-oriented, donor-centered advancement team.

 

Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as Florida's fifth public university. Today, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast and is ranked as a top public university by U.S. News and World Report.

 

FAU is an energetic and fast-growing institution, determined to propel itself to the forefront of innovation and scholarship. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Our students are bold, ambitious, and ready to take on the world.

 

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and CEO of the FAU Foundation and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, the AVP of Strategic Philanthropy will lead the organization’s individual giving strategy while securing, stewarding, and growing major philanthropic investments that advance the mission of Florida Atlantic University’s Colleges and units.

 

In close partnership and collaboration with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, and the Assistant Vice President for Schools and Units, the school/college deans, and additional university leadership, the AVP will establish ambitious fundraising goals and develop performance metrics for development units and staff; driving efficiency and maximizing philanthropic support; utilize data analytics tools to identify trends and formulate strategies to drive the Advancement Officer metrics framework; work with Advancement Officer and campus partners to create and execute donor strategies; provide training and mentorship to fundraising staff; and maintain their own portfolio of high-level prospects. The AVP of Strategic Philanthropy works closely with Regionally assigned Directors of Advancement and will assist in developing and executing comprehensive strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift donors, leadership donors, planned giving prospects, and campaign contributors. This position manages a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects while building a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support to achieve annual and long-term fundraising goals.

 

The Assistant Vice President of Strategic Philanthropy is a valued member of the senior leadership team and will guide, coach, and supervise a team of Directors of Advancement focused on regional priorities, Legacy Giving, Foundation Relations, and Scholarships, and Student Affairs. This position will ensure the team meets philanthropic goals and works with committee members, volunteers, and community stakeholders to strengthen relationships and inspire transformational investments that support FAU’s mission.

The successful candidate will experience a commitment to Advancement at the very top from the President; a seasoned, dynamic Vice President of Institutional Advancement with a winning track record; innovative and committed Provost and Deans; and the opportunities and responsibilities appropriate for fundraising leaders to complete Florida Atlantic’s next campaign.

 

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Provide strong leadership and guidance to a team of professionals, fostering a high-performance culture, including directly supervising a staff of 7, which includes:
  • Regional Directors of Advancement (4) and an Assistant
  • Scholarships & Student Affairs Director of Advancement
  • Legacy Giving Executive Director and Associate Director
  • Foundation Relations Executive Director and Assistant Director
• Set clear performance metrics, ensuring alignment with overall fundraising objectives, and conduct regular performance reviews.
• Strategically partner with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and the Assistant Vice President for Schools and Units in all areas of fundraising, as well as preparing for a future campaign.
• Play a critical role in the development and execution of the University’s overall fundraising strategy, including partnering with the Vice President and other University leaders in setting goals, establishing strategies and plans, and assessing performance.
• Work collaboratively with the Assistant Vice President for Schools and Units, all Colleges, university leadership, units and programs, and advancement staff to creatively address and provide opportunities for donor-focused solicitations addressing donors’ holistic interests across the entirety of FAU;
• Serve as a collaborative peer and strategic thought partner to finance leadership regarding grants, contracts, budgets, and the formation of essential policies and procedures.

 

Successful Candidate Will Have the Following Characteristics:

• A leadership-level talent capable of overseeing and improving strategic regional major gift efforts, working effectively with ambitious teams, and contributing to a successful advancement and alumni relations operation.

• Collaborative, goal-oriented, strategic, and highly motivated working style.

• The ability to demonstrate leadership, take initiative, problem-solve, act independently and as a member of a team, successfully collaborate, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and prioritize.

• The ability to demonstrate strategic thinking, good judgment, maturity, and personal integrity.

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, and an ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with a diverse campus community including senior administrators, faculty, staff, and students, as well as donors, prospects, alumni, and community leaders.

• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to handle a broad range of high-level and sensitive situations with diverse personalities, and the ability to adeptly respond to challenges.

• Able to work beyond traditional work hours and on occasional holidays. Ability to travel as needed and adjust working hours to meet requirements of special tasks and events.

• Ability to translate academia-speak to diverse audiences.
  

​FAU Benefits and Perks

If Benefits & Perks are important to you, then FAU is the place to be! Working at FAU has its perks! In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, FAU offers:

• Excellent benefit packages including Medical (PPO/HMO $50 per month single & $180 per month family), Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending plans, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and much more.
• State retirement options including tax-deferred annuities and Roth 403(b) plans.
• State employees Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Sick Leave Pool Program.
• Paid time off (eligible employees) including vacation and sick leave, 1 personal day, 9 paid holidays, and paid winter break (at President’s discretion).
• Paid Community Engagement Volunteer Service Day
• Employee Educational Scholarship Program (EESP) for eligible Staff/Faculty - Tuition assistance after 6 months of full-time employment. For in-unit faculty, the EESP program may be extended to spouses and dependent children (eligibility rules apply).

For details on FAU's amazing offers visit us at https://www.fau.edu/hr/benefits/index.php 

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Minimum Qualifications:

A master's degree and at least 10 years of fundraising experience;

A successful fundraising track record and strength in developing thoughtful and creative donor strategies in a complex organization;

A deep knowledge and understanding of philanthropy and fundraising;

Strong leadership skills and exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills;

Demonstrable strength in developing thoughtful donor strategies, preferably in higher education;

Progressive experience supervising and managing staff, budgets, and developing and implementing annual goals;

Extensive experience managing and working with high-level donors with demonstrated measurable success;

Experience in fundraising and capital campaigns; and

Familiarity with fundraising software and analytical tools, as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills;

Ability to successfully engage and motivate diverse groups of individuals at all levels, including staff, alumni, and volunteers;

Familiarity with performance metrics and accountability measures and how to apply them to motivate and empower staff and educate stakeholders about the essentials of fundraising;

Experience in strategic planning and a commitment to, and understanding of, the building steps for taking a research university’s advancement program to a new level of success;

Ability to build trusting and productive relationships with the University’s leaders, colleagues, volunteers, donors, faculty, and staff;

Demonstrated ability to develop cultivation and successful solicitation strategies across all university priorities, and the ability to acquire and creatively address donors’ interests and needs;

Knowledge of university personnel policies and procedures is desirable; and

Developing and implementing special events.

Proficiency in using standard computer applications, including word-processing, spreadsheet, CRM software, calendaring, email, and online applications, and a working knowledge of social media. Raiser's Edge experience is helpful.

Salary:

$250,000 - $260,000. Annually

Administrative, Managerial and Professional (AMP) FLSA Exempt

College or Department:

Division of Institutional Advancement

Location:

Boca Raton

Work Days and Hours:

Monday – Friday. This position will require travel and/or work outside of standard business days and hours related to donor activities and engagement.

Application Deadline:

2026-10-30

Special Instructions to Applicant:

**This recruitment may close without prior notice **


APPLICATION DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Resume
Cover letter

OFFICIAL SEALED TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED:
Final candidate will be required to have official, sealed transcripts and original NACES evaluation, if applicable, sent from their educational institution to Human Resources prior to the start of employment.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS REQUIRED:
Selected candidates must successfully complete and pass all employment screenings prior to the start of employment. Employment screenings may include a criminal background check (level I and level II), motor vehicle check, credit check, reference checks, alcohol, and drug screening check.

REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATIONS:
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations may contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX at 561-297-3004 or send an email at accommodate@fau.edu. To contact Human Resources, please call 561-297-3057. For communication assistance call 7-1-1.