Senior Vice President, Advancement and Alumni Relations

Requisition Number: 0TE0469450

The American College of Financial Services (The College), a regionally accredited and nonprofit higher education institution located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, delivers an educational and impact platform for financial professionals, nonprofit leaders, and consumers. This platform includes applied financial knowledge and education, professional networking and development events, and impact initiatives that benefit the financial services industry and society.

The College’s impact continues to be felt through a meaningful mission and a vision that guides its growth plans until 2027 – the institution’s centennial celebration. In just the last few years, The College has collected numerous industry awards, developed new educational programs for financial professionals and consumers, and launched a groundbreaking Center of Excellence to narrow the racial wealth gap, promote diversity in financial services professionals, and support underserved communities in their own wealth journey. Through these initiatives, The College has experienced near unprecedented growth to expand its ambitious strategy. This strategy includes penetrating the professional marketplace as the sought-after leader in retirement education. To date, The College confers the well-respected and well-recognized Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) designation and Ed Slott and Company’s IRA Success programs. We look to grow our impact even further with a broader portfolio of professional education, expanded research, and other strategic goals.

The Role

Reporting to the President and CEO, and serving as a member of The College’s Executive Leadership Team, the SVP, Advancement and Alumni Relations is a dynamic, innovative, inspiring and visionary leader who will provide leadership and strategic direction for The College’s comprehensive fundraising, donor and volunteer relations, and alumni and community engagement efforts. The successful incumbent will…

• Direct the integration of annual College-wide fundraising efforts through the development of action plans and prepares proposals for large corporate strategic philanthropic partnership initiatives.
• Develop and implement project and program operating plans and activities in other areas of responsibility.
• Make assignments and oversees portfolio management of approximately 150 major and planned giving donors and prospects, including personal cultivation, solicitation, closing of gifts, and stewardship.
• Meet with and makes formal presentations to College Board leaders and organizes and develops volunteer leadership to assist with fundraising efforts, and to secure volunteer commitment to the College and its mission.
• Continuously reviews and adjusts program plans to accommodate and reflect changing College needs and industry/community conditions.
• Work with CFRO in monitoring actual revenue development and operating costs against the operating budget for the current period and adjust activities and strategies as necessary.
• Collaborate with Centers of Excellence Executive Directors and College faculty to create, implement and manage personalized fundraising strategies aligned with College strategic priorities.
• Analyze fundraising performance indicators and benchmark results with similar organizations to support the preparation of strategic marketing and fundraising plans for The College.
• Conduct prospect research on current and prospective donors.

Goals and Deliverables

• Direct all activities of the Advancement and Alumni Relations department and oversee a team of a dozen professionals to include building an experienced fundraising team.
• Develop and achieve designated annual and long-term fundraising goals, constituent development, major giving, annual giving, corporate philanthropy, foundation giving, and prospect management and research.
• Manage the design and implementation of plans for developing key external alliances through Advancement communications efforts and the cultivation of individual and philanthropic support.
• Direct strategic and annual planning, marketing, and financial resource development and fundraising efforts.

Skills:

The position requires a highly motivated individual who can serve as an advisor on strategic matters throughout the institution and can help solidify its future as a national leader in financial services education. The successful candidate will possess personal qualities and professional experience that include:

• Graduate degree with at least ten years of progressive experience or a combination of education and experience, including a CAP designation (or desire to achieve). Foundation experience preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of fundraising and a proven successful track record in marketing and public relations.
• Demonstrated ability to raise money/secure financial support commitments from corporations, foundations, and individuals.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, demonstrate understanding of ethics related to Advancement activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects and others.
• Considerable experience in the financial services industry, with proven track record and positions of progressive responsibility, and reputation as a subject matter expert.
• Must be self-directed and demonstrate the ability to think critically, make data-informed and research-based decisions, and to execute against committed deliverables.
• Able to effectively lead, coach, and manage others and to work effectively with client companies, donors, volunteers, alumni, partners, peers, faculty, staff and industry partners.
• Sound analytical, strategy development, problem-solving, and project planning/management skills.
• Able to create, communicate and execute a detailed strategic plan and build partnerships.
• Ability to conduct research and assemble data, analyze information, and prepare effective, accurate and timely reports and presentations to support Advancement activities.
• Personal commitment to continuing education.

The College provides an award-winning culture and offers a competitive total compensation package that includes:

• Lucrative Time Off (25-40 Days PTO, Paid Family Medical Leave, 11 Paid Holidays)
• Retirement Savings Plan with Supplemental Contribution and Match
• Tuition Remission and Reimbursement
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Wellness Benefits
• Company paid Short Term and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible work schedules

The salary of the candidate selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, education, internal equity, departmental budgets, qualifications, licenses, specialty, and training.

The American College of Financial Services is committed to applying financial education through teaching, research, and innovation in program delivery and design. As a nonprofit, accredited education institution, our courses are researched and written by a faculty of the nation’s top thought leaders in personal finance. To learn more, visit The American College.

In policy and practice, we encourage diversity and provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications and ability to perform a job. We are committed to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive environment.

The American College of Financial Services is an E-Verify Employer.