At Wheeling University, you’ll find more than just a workplace — you’ll join a mission-driven community that lives by values of leadership, service, faith, integrity, and excellence. As an employee, you’ll be part of a university that is committed to integrating learning, research, and outreach within its Catholic tradition, seeking to develop not only competent professionals, and also socially responsible citizens. Wheeling promotes close student-faculty connections and encourages all members to grow both intellectually and ethically, to serve with compassion among diverse communities, and to lead by example. In such an environment, your work will matter — your contributions help sustain a culture where academic rigor, moral purpose, and service to others are more deals --they are daily actions and practices.
Wheeling University invites candidates for an Associate Vice President for Advancement. The Associate Vice President for Advancement provides strategic leadership for the University’s fundraising and advancement efforts, with primary responsibility for developing and leading major campaigns designed to increase the University’s endowment and annual fund support. This position cultivates relationships with donors, alumni, and other key stakeholders to advance the University’s philanthropic priorities and strengthen long-term financial sustainability. Prior experience in fundraising, development, or advancement is preferred.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the Advancement team in planning and implementing long- and short-term strategies to secure gifts from individuals and organizations through major, planned and annual gifts.
- Work with the President’s Cabinet and the Board of Directors to establish a strategic plan for Capital projects.
- Work with the University President and Board of Directors, establishes measurable goals to increase fundraising results.
- Ensure successful implementation of a planned giving program both by informing marketing and prospecting strategy as well as by personally soliciting and assisting in the solicitation of planned gift prospects.
- Sets direction and gives guidance to recognizing donors in effective and meaningful ways.
- Plan, coordinate, attend and assist with Advancement and Alumni campus events.
- Respond to inquiries from alumni, parents, students, community members.
- Develops strong positive relationships with the University community to establish the Advancement office as the major resource and coordinator for all university fund-raising.
- Establishes and adheres to annual operating budgets and ensures that advancement programs are operating in a fiscally prudent and productive way.
- Helps develop and administer policies related to fundraising and gift stewardship in collaboration with the university Board of Directors.
- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is required.
- A Master's degree (such as an MBA, Master of Public Administration, or a master's in higher education administration or communications) is preferred
- 5-7+ years of progressive fundraising experience in higher education or a complex nonprofit setting.
- Proven success in personally soliciting and closing major, annual, and planned gifts (six-to-seven-figure range).
- Demonstrated experience planning, implementing, or executing large-scale capital campaigns.
- Proven ability to work effectively alongside a University President, senior cabinets, and a Board of Directors.
- Experience establishing, monitoring, and adhering to annual departmental operating budgets.
For additional information, please contact:
Dianna M. Vargo, Ed.D.
President
Wheeling University
Wheeling, WV 26003
Telephone 304.243.2209
[email protected]
EEO Statement:
Wheeling University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating and sustaining a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community for all faculty, staff, and students. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We value the unique contributions that individuals bring to our campus and believe that diversity of perspectives enriches our academic and work environment.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- 5-7+ years of progressive fundraising experience in higher education or a complex nonprofit setting
- Proven success personally soliciting and closing major, annual, and planned gifts in the six-to-seven-figure range
- Demonstrated experience planning, implementing, or executing large-scale capital campaigns
- Proven ability to work effectively with a University President, senior cabinets, and a Board of Directors
- Experience establishing, monitoring, and adhering to annual departmental operating budgets
- Master's degree, such as an MBA, Master of Public Administration, or master's degree in higher education administration or communications
- Prior experience in fundraising, development, or advancement
What We Do
Wheeling University is a private, Catholic liberal arts university located in Wheeling, West Virginia. It is dedicated to providing a quality education rooted in the Catholic tradition, integrating learning, research, and outreach to develop competent professionals and socially responsible citizens. The institution is a mission-driven community that lives by the values of leadership, service, faith, integrity, and excellence to ensure student success.
