Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Southwestern Law School • Full-time • Los Angeles, CA, US • 5d ago

Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with Southwestern Law School in the search for a Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

Reporting to the President and Dean, the Vice President for Institutional Advancement will drive the growth of Southwestern's institutional advancement program and ensure that Southwestern's community of alumni, faculty, staff, and students is deeply engaged in the life of the school. The Vice President will design and implement a comprehensive strategy that increases constituent involvement and fundraising outcomes while recruiting and developing a team committed to advancing Southwestern's philanthropic mission.

As a key member of the senior leadership team, the Vice President will work closely with the President and Dean and the Board of Trustees to shape the institution's goals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and stewardship. The Vice President will possess a proven track record in securing major gifts while balancing the institution's mission with responsible resource management. The Vice President will play a central role in strengthening relationships with alumni and donors, promoting the law school's impact, and ensuring that Southwestern's mission is effectively communicated. Ultimately, this visionary leader will create an environment where Southwestern's philanthropic efforts continue to thrive, positioning the institution for success in the next chapter of its remarkable history.

Southwestern Law School has a history of public service, exceptional teachers, brilliant scholars, and trailblazing alumni. Students succeed through its innovative curriculum and experiential learning opportunities. The vibrant, mid-city campus provides the ideal setting for studying law, fostering an emphasis on community, equal opportunity, and public service. Founded more than 110 years ago, Southwestern has developed a reputation for graduating lawyers who are well-rounded, resilient, entrepreneurial, and prepared to succeed. Southwestern students have a strong sense of community. While most have ties to California, they come from myriad backgrounds, experiences, states, and countries. The Student Bar Association sponsors award-winning wellness and community outreach programs and oversees over 40 student organizations, including legal fraternities, affinity groups, and societies focused on specific areas of law.

With a student enrollment of approximately 1,000, 65 full-time faculty members, more than 100 adjunct faculty members, and about 125 staff, Southwestern has created a welcoming student-centered oasis within Los Angeles. Southwestern offers seven pathways for students to earn the J.D.; the programs differ in scheduling, modality, and instructional approach. Options include a two-year accelerated program, on-campus and online three-year full-time programs, and on-campus and online four-year part-time programs, including one designed specifically for parents. Southwestern, a private, secular, standalone ABA-approved law school, is a leader in curricular innovation and expertise, particularly in entertainment and media law, public interest law, criminal law, and trial advocacy and litigation. The required curriculum is enriched by approximately 154 electives, more than 400 externship placements, eight clinics, seven concentrations, and two practica. Upper-division enhancements professional skills courses, a January intersession, capstone courses, and a London Summer-Abroad program. Southwestern has established three- and four-year J.D./M.B.A. degree programs with the Drucker Graduate School of Management of Claremont Graduate University. It also offers a B.A./J.D. 3+3 program with California State University, Northridge, and L.L.M. programs in individualized law studies and entertainment, sports, and media law. Southwestern was the first law school to establish a center for entertainment, media, and sports law. The internationally recognized Biederman Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law helps prepare students to practice law in creative industries such as film, television, and music.

A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least seven years of progressively responsible advancement leadership experience is required for this position. A J.D. or prior experience at a law school or university with a law school is a plus. Southwestern Law School will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to Southwestern but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of Southwestern Law School and the responsibilities and qualifications specified in the position prospectus.

The salary range for this position is $300,000 to $350,000 annually.

Southwestern Law School is committed to the inclusion of all qualified candidates. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or participating in the selection process, please contact Jeanette Rivera-Watts at jeanetterw@aspenleadershipgroup.com.

To apply for this position, visit: https://opportunities.aspenleadershipgroup.com/opportunities/3887.

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