Vice President for University Advancement Affairs / Executive Director of the MSU Denver Foundation

Vice President for University Advancement Affairs /

Executive Director of the MSU Denver Foundation

Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) invites inquiries, nominations and applications for the position of Vice President of University Advancement / Executive Director of the MSU Denver Foundation (VPUA). This vibrant University has experienced significant growth and success in recent years and is poised to accelerate its upward trajectory and become a more prominent gateway to opportunity in the state and nation. To accomplish its ambitious goals, MSU Denver seeks a forward-thinking and creative development professional to elevate the private fundraising profile of the University.

The University

Established in 1965 as Colorado’s “College of Opportunity,” MSU Denver is a comprehensive, baccalaureate- and master’s-degree-granting urban university that offers arts and sciences, professional, and business courses and programs to a diverse student population. Over the last decade, as part of its journey to become a preeminent public urban university, Metropolitan State College of Denver received legislative authority to change its name to Metropolitan State University of Denver and become a master’s-degree-granting educational institution. It now offers five master’s degrees and has built four new cutting-edge facilities. Since 2005, MSU Denver has increased the number of degrees it has granted annually from 2,280 to 3,445 and in the last 10 years its first-time freshman retention rate has improved from 56 percent to 72 percent (2005 – 2016). Total student headcount is just under 20,000, taught by over 1,400 faculty members and supported by 700 staff members. Over the past 12 years, the diversity of the University’s student population has increased to 42% (students of color) and with a 26% Latino undergraduate population, the institution is on the road to becoming a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution. By strategically creating public-private partnerships in areas such as hotel management, aerospace and advanced manufacturing and modern music education, MSU Denver offers students unique opportunities to be prepared for the workplace, while also serving the workforce needs of Colorado.

Occupying 150 acres on the Auraria Campus and sharing academic space with the University of Colorado Denver and the Community College of Denver, MSU Denver continues to expand in response to the needs of students and the mission it serves. For more information about MSU Denver, please visit https://msudenver.edu/.

University Advancement

University Advancement is the centralized fundraising branch of MSU Denver dedicated to securing private philanthropic support for the institution. The branch consists of five primary departments: Development, Foundation and Advancement Services, Alumni Relations and Giving, Donor Relations and Advancement Events, and Corporate and Foundation Relations.

Its mission is to inspire impactful and innovative investments to support the mission of MSU Denver as it transforms lives, communities and higher education. Together these departments work to secure private gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations, while engaging alumni, donors and friends of the University through various campus and community activities.

University Advancement comprises 33 staff members who are all employees of the University. The Vice President supervises the University Advancement staff, providing leadership and strategy for all fundraising and engagement efforts, while also serving as the lead development officer for the University.

MSU Denver Foundation, Inc.

The MSU Denver Foundation is the sole nonprofit, direct-support corporation charged with promoting the development and general welfare of the University by receiving, investing and administering private support. Since 1986, the Foundation has compiled a $10.7 million endowment and manages $22.7 million in assets. In 2017 alone, 530 students were awarded $1,507,105 in private-scholarship support. The role of the Foundation Board is to help establish strategic direction in response to the priorities established for the University by its Board of Trustees, cultivate supporters and relationships that will benefit MSU Denver, raise financial resources and steward the Foundation’s assets, all in support of the University’s stated mission.

The Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors consisting of community leaders, heads of foundations and CEOs from the most celebrated businesses in Colorado.

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the President and serving as the chief advancement officer for the University, the VPUA provides strategic and operational leadership for University Advancement and also serves as the Executive Director of the MSU Denver Foundation. As a member of the President’s Senior Leadership Team, the VPUA counsels the President and works with campus leaders and members of the Foundation Board to create annual and long-term funding strategies for the University’s fundraising priorities. The VPUA also advises the President on all matters pertaining to the management of fundraising, alumni engagement and donor relations, and provides leadership in the planning and directing of all philanthropic initiatives for the University. As the Executive Director of the Foundation, the VPUA will continue to expand the Board’s impact and ability to support the University in developing and implementing advancement strategies to meet or exceed annual and long-term fundraising goals. This position also oversees the administration of alumni programs and annual giving as managed by the Office of Alumni Relations and Giving.

Identifying, activating and leveraging industry partnerships will also be a central focus of the VPUA. In an effort to guide the development of new and existing resources and to establish priorities, the VPUA will work with University Advancement leadership to create and implement a metrics-driven major gifts program and, through portfolio evaluation and a commitment to relationship-based fundraising, the VPUA will develop a comprehensive donor pipeline focused on long-term, sustained philanthropic support for the University. Emphasis will be placed on growing a culture of philanthropy by increasing awareness of MSU Denver in local, regional and national philanthropic communities. In consultation with the President and Foundation Board, the Vice President will establish annual and long-term fundraising and engagement goals.

For a full position description and list of qualifications, please visit https://www.storbeckpimentel.com/pd/MSUDenver/VPUA.pdf.

Application Process

The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. Applicants must submit: a current resume or curriculum vitae and a cover letter describing relevant experience and interest in the position. Nomination letters should include the name, position, address and telephone number of the nominee. All applications and nominations will be handled in confidence.

Applications and letters of nomination should be submitted by email to:

Alberto Pimentel, Managing Partner

Email:  apsearch@storbeckpimentel.com

Refer to code “MSUDenver-VPUA” in the subject line

Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates

6512 Painter Avenue

Whittier, CA  90601

Metropolitan State University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer.