Vice President for University Advancement

Mary Baldwin University (MBU) seeks a dynamic and seasoned advancement leader to join the institution’s executive cabinet as Vice President for University Advancement. Located in Staunton, Virginia, in 2016, Mary Baldwin grew from college to university status reflecting its growing range of bachelor’s, master level, and doctoral programs. The university achieved record enrollment in 2018, including the largest incoming first-year class in history. MBU is an entrepreneurial institution with a record of innovation aspiring to meet the evolving higher education needs of society. The vice president will play an instrumental role in ensuring that MBU continues its development as a small university responsive to the changes and role of higher education within that society.

President Pamela Fox seeks a talented and experienced advancement executive with a strong track record in transformational fundraising, campaign management and strengthening a philanthropic culture. The university recently embarked on an ambitious new fundraising effort to support the university's strategic plan, Mary Baldwin 2025. The outcome of this plan will increase enrollment to 2,500 students by 2025 through growing existing and launching new cutting-edge degree programs and transform Mary Baldwin into a distinctive small university unlike any other in Virginia.

The new vice president will have broad authority to shape and build an advancement program to support the growth and ambition of the Mary Baldwin 2025 vision. The university stands poised to increase the resources it commits to its fundraising and alumni relations efforts including additional staffing, a new prospect management system and campaign counsel. MBU seeks a vice president who will assess and mentor the advancement team, raise it to a new level of quality and effectiveness, and continue to enhance its strong culture of collaboration and collegiality.

The vice president must resonate with the university's mission, articulate its history and demonstrate significant intellectual curiosity, characterized by the ability to translate the work of the faculty and academic programs. Strong leadership skills are an imperative as this organization responds to increasing expectations for philanthropy. Integration of best practices is expected to improve both results and performance within all areas of advancement, especially in programs such as principal and major gifts, donor recognition, stewardship and prospect management. A bachelor's degree is required, an advanced degree is preferred; however, candidates with a depth of experience in the field and appropriate professional credentials will be given full consideration. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of ten years of professional experience in a higher education setting. The new vice president will start no later than August 1, 2019.

Confidential inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Candidates should provide a resume and letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the leadership profile. These materials should be sent electronically to the university’s consultants, Charlene Aguilar, Melissa Fincher and Andrew Bowen, at MBUadvancement@wittkieffer.com

The Mary Baldwin University values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.