SITUATION OVERVIEW:

ZRG has been engaged to recruit a Vice President for Institutional Advancement for Philander Smith University, a small, privately supported, historically black four-year liberal arts institution related to the Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church.

ABOUT PHILANDER SMITH UNIVERSITY:

Founded in 1877, Philander Smith University is a small, privately supported, historically Black, four-year liberal arts institution related to the Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. The University currently offers four undergraduate degrees -- the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, the Bachelor of Business Administration, and the Bachelor of Social Work -- and one graduate degree, the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Its mission is "to graduate academically accomplished students, grounded as advocates for social justice, determined to change the world for the better." As the only United Negro College Fund member institution in Arkansas, Philander Smith University strives to provide a quality education for all regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin or ethnic background. Philander Smith University is the result of the first attempt west of the Mississippi River to make education available to freedmen (former African American slaves).

POSITION:

The Vice President for Institutional Affairs will be responsible for directing an effective and cohesive unit that includes development, alumni affairs, sponsored programs, public affairs, including college-wide marketing and communications, and special events. This senior administrator ensures a coordinated approach to development and public affairs among the departments, supporting the top strategic priorities.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Manage all giving programs, which include: capital, annual, alumni and planned gifts;
Increase fundraising through capital campaigns, scholarship endowment, major gifts, planned gifts, and alumni cultivation;
Develop a comprehensive fundraising unit that integrates faculty, staff, students, and Board of Trustees in multiple fundraising initiatives;
Supervise directors and staff members in the Office of Institutional Advancement;
Identify donor prospects as well as provide appropriate and timely follow-up;
Cultivate donor prospects for the President’s participation;
Develop a comprehensive Alumni Giving Program;
Assess the full scope of fundraising, as well as provide annual evaluation and goals for periods of one-, three- and five-year plans and programs;
Attend convocations, faculty and staff meetings as well as other official meetings of the College; and
Carry out other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Institutional Advancement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

A history of demonstrated success in development, including capital campaign experience, preferably in higher education;
High level communication skills to express, both orally and in writing, the mission and fundraising goals of the college;
Experience with managing a budget;
Strategic planning skills and competencies in advancement planning, capital campaign oversight, endowment and fiscal management, stakeholder cultivation, as well as personnel management;
Demonstrated success in building programs and initiatives for sustainable donor relationships;
Ability to work effectively with campus administrators and campus constituencies;
Experienced in managing all fundraising roles with particular emphasis on fundraising activities of the President;
Experience and demonstrated success with integrated marketing and communications,
Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with the president, trustees, cabinet members, deans, faculty, administrators, students, alumni, community leaders, volunteers, and donors;
Ability to work strategically and collaboratively as a member of the college’s senior leadership team;
Ability to travel and be present for special events on evenings and weekends;
Ability to develop effective long and short-range strategic plans. Intellectual depth, moral integrity, vision, energy, and creativity;
Enthusiasm, drive, motivational ability, willingness to take risks, and competitive spirit; a passion for relationship building and fund; and
Understanding of and experience with marketing and communications.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A Doctorate Degree is preferred, but not required;
Applicants will have a minimum of 10 years experience in higher education fundraising or fundraising in a non-profit environment;
A minimum of five years in a senior level administrative position;
Outstanding relationship building and collaboration skills to work with a diverse constituency;
Knowledge of best practices and the ability to apply them in innovative ways;
Success identifying and securing individual and foundation support;
Strong supervisory experience that demonstrates the ability to lead, coach, and develop staff;
A self-starter who seeks and seizes opportunity;
Experience with on-line fundraising and social media;
Command of knowledge and behaviors relating to legal aspects of fundraising and obligations to donors;
Understand and interpret the needs of Philander Smith College through multiple venues, including the Board of Trustees, President’s Administrative Council, faculty, staff, students, alumni, community partners, and other appropriate constituent groups;
Success identifying and securing individual and foundation support; and
Experience with on-line fundraising and social media.

TO APPLY:

Please visit https://www.zrgpartners.com/jobboard/philander-smith-university for more information and to apply.

INTERVIEW PROCESS:

ZRG provides our global Clients with a rigorous and patented assessment platform grounded in data and analytics. Our interview process includes the following:

Initial interviews with ZRG
ZRG presentation of candidates to Client for calibration and discussion; Client selects candidates for consideration and initial interviews
Candidates complete ZRG’s on-line assessment
Finalist candidates advance to second and third round interviews with broader leadership team
Formal referencing
Offer extended

ABOUT ZRG PARTNERS:

ZRG is a global talent advisory firm that is changing the way companies hire and manage talent. ZRG’s data-driven approach to executive and professional search has been changing the way clients think about how to find top talent. The company’s digital Zi platform combines talent intelligence, candidate insights, and process improvement to dramatically deliver executive searches quicker and with proven better results.

Philander Smith University

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Vice President for Institutional Advancement