Associate Vice President of Development; Schools​/Colleges

About the Department

Department: Advancement and Alumni Relations

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the University Advancement division: A comprehensive development and alumni relations enterprise with a staff complement of approximately 125 FTE. Functional units include development/fundraising, alumni relations, stewardship and donor relations, advancement communications, special events, gift processing, research, prospect management, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, information systems and management, and infrastructure services. The division’s mission is to build lifelong relationships with George Mason University’s alumni and constituents, aligning philanthropic interests with university priorities.

Values guiding the work and culture are respect, service, integrity, collaboration, transparency, and creativity.

Supports the Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations (VP) in identifying and implementing strategies to secure significant philanthropic support for George Mason University. The Associate Vice President (Assoc VP) oversees professional fundraising staff and co-manages the school/college development staff with the Deans. This position reports directly to the Vice President for Advancement & Alumni Relations and is a member of the senior management team.

The Assoc VP works closely with the University President, Provost, VP, and academic and administrative leadership to translate University priorities into compelling proposals and fundraising initiatives. The role provides leadership to develop and sustain relationships with key partners and contributes to implementing a strategic vision for a high-impact philanthropy program. The position may require non-routine hours and travel as necessary.

Leadership and Coaching

• Manages George Mason University’s philanthropy program, including recruitment, orientation, mentoring and fundraising activities.
• Provides leadership and staff oversight for fundraising professionals.
• Facilitates development with colleagues, faculty, Deans, unit directors, volunteers, administration and staff to identify and solicit support for strategic university and academic-unit priorities.
• In collaboration with the VP and Deans, develops and implements plans, monitors progress toward goals, increases fundraising effectiveness and strives for greater levels of philanthropy within a collaborative team environment.
• Develops and maintains strong, positive rapport with unit leadership to ensure optimum participation in fundraising and effective reporting systems.
• Works with direct reports and their teams on strategic planning to establish college/unit and individual performance goals and metrics.
• Manages a team of fundraising professionals and maintains a personal portfolio of prospects with multidisciplinary interests in a high-performance, metrics-based environment.
• Trains, coaches and mentors team members in best fundraising and operational practices.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration and communication with academic leaders, units and central fundraising services.
• Ensures adoption and effective use of strategic tools and resources such as contact reports, prospect management, research, and the CRM database.
• Serves as a strategic partner to Advancement Operations in recruiting, retaining, developing, and engaging development team members.

Revenue Responsibility

• Builds, develops and manages a small portfolio of prospects/donors focusing on major and principal gifts.
• Identifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards donors to secure gifts/grants for university priorities and initiatives.
• Establishes long-term relationships on behalf of George Mason University.
• Collaborates with administration, faculty, development officers, academic programs, research centers and institutes to enhance relationships and increase…