VP of Advancement

General Summary

Oglethorpe University seeks an accomplished, strategic, and relationship-driven Vice President of Advancement to lead all philanthropic engagement and fundraising activities. Reporting directly to the President and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, the Vice President will oversee an office that is responsible for major gifts, annual giving, alumni engagement, stewardship, foundation and corporate relations, planned giving, and advancement operations.

The University is entering a pivotal period of growth as it finalizes a new strategic plan and seeks a proven advancement leader with a demonstrated record of securing transformational gifts and successfully leading comprehensive fundraising campaigns. The Vice President of Advancement will play a central role in planning, launching, and executing a comprehensive campaign to support the first phase of Oglethorpe University's strategic plan and will serve as a trusted partner to the President and Board of Trustees in advancing a culture of philanthropy across the institution.

The Role

Atlanta's Oglethorpe University is committed to teaching excellence in an inclusive learning environment and preparing students for success as responsible and productive contributors to a global society. The university seeks to build a national reputation as Atlanta’s premier undergraduate learning experience, with special focus on students in the southeast.

The Vice President of Advancement reports directly to the President and works closely with the Board of Trustees, senior academic and administrative leaders, alumni, donors, foundations, corporations, and community partners to strengthen the University's philanthropic resources and external relationships.

The Office of Advancement currently consists of seven team members, including a Senior Associate Vice President for Advancement and professionals responsible for development, alumni engagement, and advancement operations. The Senior Associate Vice President oversees day-to-day management of the division, allowing the Vice President to focus primarily on major gift fundraising, campaign leadership, and strategic donor relationships while maintaining overall responsibility for the division's performance and success.

As Oglethorpe's chief fundraising officer, the Vice President will personally manage a portfolio of the University's most significant donor relationships and partner closely with the President to secure transformational philanthropic investments that advance institutional priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising and Campaign Leadership

• Lead the planning, execution, and successful completion of all fundraising programs, including an anticipated comprehensive fundraising campaign supporting the University's strategic plan
• Develop and implement a multi-year advancement strategy focused on increasing philanthropic revenue and expanding the University's donor base.
• Personally identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gift prospects capable of making transformative commitments.
• Partner with the President and Board members in donor strategy, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• Establish and achieve ambitious fundraising goals across all giving channels.
• Strengthen and expand support from individual donors, corporations, foundations, and planned giving prospects.
• Build a robust pipeline of major gift prospects and implement strategies to increase donor engagement and giving at every level.

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the President on fundraising strategy, funding priorities, donor engagement, and philanthropic trends.
• Align advancement initiatives with institutional priorities and strategic objectives.
• Develop metrics, performance benchmarks, and accountability measures to ensure fundraising effectiveness and continuous improvement.
• Promote a campus-wide culture of philanthropy and engagement among trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the University.

Board and Volunteer Engagement

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board's Advancement and Community Affairs Committee.
• Partner with trustees, campaign cabinet members, and volunteer leaders to advance fundraising goals.
• Prepare and present regular reports regarding fundraising performance, and advancement priorities.

Team Leadership and Advancement Operations

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Office of Advancement, working closely with the Senior Associate Vice President who manages day-to-day operations.
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a talented advancement staff committed to excellence and results.
• Ensure best practices in prospect management, donor stewardship, campaign reporting, and advancement operations.
• Foster collaboration across the advancement team, and university leadership.
• Leverage data, technology, and analytics to support fundraising strategy and decision-making.

External Relations and Institutional Ambassadorship

• Serve as a compelling ambassador for Oglethorpe University throughout Atlanta and beyond.
• Build and sustain relationships with civic, philanthropic, corporate, and community leaders who can contribute to the University's mission and growth.

Articulate Oglethorpe's distinctive value proposition and strategic priorities to a broad range of audiences.