Associate Vice Chancellor for University Advancement

Position Summary

UNC Asheville's national reputation for empowering human potential is rooted in its history as a unique student-centric public liberal arts and sciences university. UNC Asheville thrives on close-knit connections among students and their faculty and staff mentors. The University's 3,600 students are innovative, ethical, creative and resilient leaders who seek to understand complex global challenges and find creative, sustainable solutions that benefit our communities and the world. UNC Asheville consistently ranks as a national top 10 Public Liberal Arts and Sciences University by U.S. News & World Report, and on its list of Most Innovative Schools. UNC Asheville regularly earns several national top 20 rankings in The Princeton Review's "The Best 386 Colleges," including Best Quality of Life and Town-Gown Relations.

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, the Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) for University Advancement will play a pivotal role in securing the future of the institution as it approaches its Centennial. This is a senior management role that will bring best practices and help build a world-class advancement team for UNCA. The AVC for University Advancement will collaborate with senior campus leaders to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospects with the capacity to make commitments of $1 million+. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated track record of establishing long-term relationships with donors and prospects. The position will design and implement strategies for increased engagement, incorporating senior leadership and volunteers, with current and prospective principal gift donors that match donors' passions with institutional priorities.

The AVC for University Advancement will also supervise the Major and Annual Gift team, providing coaching and support to ensure the success of Gift Officers working with donors capable of giving between $25,000 and $1 million.

The AVC for University Advancement will supervise a recently launched Bernhart Planned Giving Legacy Program, which includes both proactive marketing and reactive gift planning components.

UNC Asheville is undertaking its first-ever comprehensive campaign, the Centennial Campaign, and the AVC for University Advancement will collaborate with university leaders on campaign strategy and manage implementation of a comprehensive campaign plan to secure philanthropic support of campaign initiatives. The position has the opportunity to ensure the success of the campaign by securing gifts and managing efforts across campus to ensure a successful campaign.

The AVC for University Advancement will manage a robust portfolio consisting of corporations and foundations to ensure philanthropic gifts that support the institutional goals and strategies. This portfolio will require the AVC for University Advancement to work collaboratively across campus, including with academic affairs leadership, athletics, student affairs, the career center, and other areas.

This position will require the AVC for University Advancement to manage and steward donors on all levels assisting the Chancellor and the VC with top prospects.

The AVC for University Advancement will serve on the University Advancement Leadership Team under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement.

Required Education, Experience, and Skills

• A Master's degree. May also consider a Bachelor's degree, with an equivalent combination of education and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible work experience in fundraising.
• Track record of working collaboratively to secure seven-figure gifts.
• Experience with comprehensive campaigns.
• Demonstrated ability to coach direct reports and lead a team.
• Strong professional record of supporting a global portfolio that includes corporate and foundation relation work, securing major gifts to support the university.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills, written and oral.
• Ability to think strategically and formulate, document, and execute plans that meet goals.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently as appropriate.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills

• Graduate degree from an appropriately accredited institution.
• Eight (8) to ten (10) years related work experience in fundraising.
• Experience leading comprehensive campaigns.
• Superior management and leadership skills that will enable direct reports to function effectively.
• Strong knowledge of the development field and principal gift cultivation and solicitation.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Experience handling and organizing multiple institutional priorities including establishing and developing a pipeline of philanthropic support through corporate and foundation relations.
• Proven experience of establishing a corporate and foundation relations program with success in developing local and regional relationships.
• Ability to navigate complex organizational structures to build consensus and reach goals.
• Demonstrated ability to think and act strategically.
• Entrepreneurial spirit with ability to collaborate to maximize effectiveness.
• Excellent active listening skills and ability to connect donor interests to University priorities.
• Ability to build relationships with a wide range of constituents.
• A growth mindset, and ability to approach challenges creatively.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to effectively communicate the vision, values and mission of UNC Asheville as a liberal arts and sciences university, while capturing the interest of prospective donors.
• Working knowledge of all facets of fundraising fit together, including comprehensive campaigns, planned giving, annual giving, prospect management, etc.
• Ability to develop and initiate new strategies to achieve goals.
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules.
• Adept at problem solving, creating contingency plans and handling challenging issues when necessary.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and recall details about donors and projects.

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Applications must be submitted online no later than 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date for each specific position. Please note that any documents submitted to Human Resources or the hiring departments become property of UNC Asheville and will not be returned. Official verification from each college/university you have attended are required upon employment, and will be requested directly from the college/university by Human Resources or from the National Student Clearinghouse. Any expense will be the responsibility of the employee. Educational degrees must be from an appropriately accredited institution. If no applicants apply who meet the required competency and training and experience requirements, management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations. It is the policy of UNC Asheville to conduct pre-employment background investigations on all candidates selected for employment. If hired, the candidate will be required to submit proof of eligibility to work in the United States. New employees are paid only by direct deposit to the financial institution of their choice.