University Advancement - Assistant/ Associate Vice President of University Advancement & Philanthropic Campaigns

As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computer Science & Engineering; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, and Best Business Schools: 2024 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

Position Summary

Sacred Heart University seeks a visionary and experienced senior advancement leader with a proven track record in securing transformational philanthropic investments, including leadership, major, principal, and planned gifts. This dynamic individual will inspire and guide a high-performing team of fundraisers while strategically driving the university's advancement initiatives and leveraging opportunities that align with its mission and priorities.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President of University Advancement, the Assistant/Associate Vice President (AVP) of University Advancement & Philanthropic Campaigns provides visionary and strategic leadership for the university's fundraising initiatives, overseeing a team of talented gift officers across college-based and programmatic areas, as well as integrating campaign research and strategy functions into the day-to-day philanthropic activities. The AVP is pivotal in advancing the university’s mission by driving philanthropic support through leadership, major, and principal giving while developing and executing comprehensive campaign strategies.

In partnership with the Senior Vice President for University Advancement (UA) and UA leadership, the AVP will design and implement an effective giving strategy that identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards prospects capable of making transformative gifts. This includes securing current-use major and planned gifts essential to achieving the university’s philanthropic goals, from supporting capital projects for new and existing structures to enhancing student affordability, faculty excellence, and program innovation through endowed giving. 

The AVP will foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and high performance within the advancement team, ensuring alignment with the university’s strategic priorities and long-term vision. All gifts are part of the university’s transformational $150M Now We Lead comprehensive fundraising campaign.

This role requires strategic, relationship-building driven skills and a forward-thinking leader who values team collaboration and trust, innovation, and shared successes.

*The official title of either Assistant or Associate Vice President of University Advancement & Philanthropic Campaigns will be determined by the incumbent's level of experience.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy

• Lead and mentor a talented team of leadership & major gift officers, setting and achieving ambitious quarterly and annual fundraising goals for the university, colleges, and area programs.
• Collaborate with the Senior Vice President of University Advancement to develop long-term strategies for philanthropic growth, serving as a key member of the campaign leadership team providing expertise and oversight for multi-year campaigns.
• Oversee the development and implementation of strategies to secure transformative gifts that align with the university's priorities.
• Monitor team progress against OKRs/goals.

Campaign Management and Execution

• Direct campaign planning, ensuring alignment with the university’s strategic objectives.
• Integrate campaign research and strategy functions to implement data-driven recommendations.
• Track and analyze campaign progress, providing regular reports and recommendations for strategic adjustments and enhancements.

Donor Engagement

• Maintain a personal portfolio of high-value prospects, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships to secure major and principal gifts.
• Partner with university leadership, trustees, faculty, and other members of the SHU community to engage prospective donors effectively.
• Travel as appropriate and represent the university at key events and donor meetings, building strong relationships with prospects and donors.

Team Development and Collaboration

• Foster a culture of high performance, professional development, and collaboration within the university advancement team.
• Lead, mentor, and coach gift officers to manage and oversee the implementation, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities of assigned portfolios.
• Partner with internal stakeholders, including annual giving, alumni engagement, communications, and academic leadership, to maximize campaign and donor engagement strategies for increased giving.
• Work closely with the Senior Vice President of University Advancement and the senior university advancement team to create and implement a comprehensive giving program, including planned gifts.
• Identify, cultivate, manage, and solicit a defined portfolio of prospects both locally and regionally meeting and exceeding Objective & Key Results (OKRs) for both self and team.
• Work closely with the Executive Director of Prospect Development with prospect strategy recommendations, portfolio optimization, co-lead strategy meetings, and move management  implementation while enforcing measurable dollar and visit goals for each gift officer, ensuring an environment of collaborative professionalism as a result-orientated fundraising enterprise.
• Act as a lead resource to gift officers on the techniques of philanthropic giving and, when appropriate, advise on the best gift strategy to orchestrate a blended or planned gift.
• Provide timely reports to the SVP for inclusion in the Board Quarterly and other reports as needed.
• Ensure the University is registered to do gift planning business (e.g., annuities, etc.) in desired States, and work with our outside advisors to realize all the necessary reporting to agencies and philanthropists.
• Performs other related tasks and duties as assigned.   

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes

• Bachelor's degree required. 
• Minimum of 7-10 years of direct fundraising experience in higher education or similar environment.
• Leading high-preforming fundraising teams – a requirement.
• Must exercise significant judgment and confidentiality when working with prospects, volunteers, faculty, and staff.
• Skilled as an outstanding coach, mentor, and motivator of professionals with a dedication to hiring, retaining, and developing diverse teams. 
• Superior oral and written communicator – internally and externally.
• Successful track record of major gift solicitations, strategic thinker, self-starter, networker, team builder, and goal achiever.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, and Internet use. 
• Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge information system – required.
• Familiarity with Blackbaud’s FPM platform a plus. 

Unusual Working Conditions

Varied schedule, including nights and weekends, with significant donor-related travel.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.