Vice President for University Advancement

Slippery Rock University, a four-year, comprehensive university and leading member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, seeks a strategic, dynamic, and student-centric administrative fundraising professional to serve as its next Vice President for University Advancement.

The Position: Reporting to the University President, who is committed to the success of the University Advancement program, the Vice President for University Advancement functions as the senior advancement officer and supervises the directors of the units within the Division of University Advancement including Alumni Engagement, Special Events, and Advancement Services. The Vice President oversees the relationship with the Slippery Rock University Foundation, Inc., to ensure a coordinated approach to fundraising and advancement efforts. This critical role will determine and drive a University-wide development strategy across the Foundation, Special Events, Advancement Services, and the Alumni Association and will coordinate with senior leadership, Foundation leadership, academic leaders, faculty, staff, and alumni to serve the mission of the Colleges and overall University. The Vice President develops and executes the University’s fundraising programs, including annual fund campaigns, capital campaigns, special-needs campaigns, and planned and deferred gifts. The role also oversees budgetary responsibilities for all of University Advancement and the day-to-day operation of the Russell Wright Alumni House and Conference Center. Representing the President and University in various community, state, and regional activities, the Vice President fosters a positive image and external relations to promote Slippery Rock University and higher education.

Qualifications: The successful candidate will have a proven record of accomplishment as a development strategist, philanthropic association builder, major capital campaign and planned-giving manager, foundation and corporate relations strategist, and dynamic advancement team builder. This strategic leader will be results-driven and innovative, and they will possess impeccable integrity and passion for working within an inclusive, team-oriented organization. The new Vice President will have a strong history in building relationships with major donors, cultivating a culture of philanthropy, leading large-scale comprehensive campaigns, and leading volunteers. They must possess superior interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills; a collaborative style of leadership conducive to working effectively in an interdependent work environment; and experience working with diverse populations. A Master’s degree or other advanced degree is preferred. The new Vice President will have a minimum of seven years of significant, progressively responsible experience with development and fundraising efforts, as well as successful outcomes, preferably in a higher education environment and in a senior leadership role.

The Institution: Slippery Rock University opened in 1889 as Slippery Rock State Normal School with the original purpose of training teachers. Since that time, the institution has dramatically expanded and now serves as one of the 14 fine institutions in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education and has 70,000 current alumni. Today, SRU serves to transform the intellectual, social, physical, and leadership capacities of students in order to prepare them for life and career success. Nearly 8,500 Slippery Rock students have an opportunity to pursue more than 150 undergraduate programs and 40 graduate programs in four colleges: the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Health, Engineering and Science. The University employs 950 faculty and staff, and 92% of SRU professors hold a Ph.D. or terminal degree and enjoy a 24:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Slippery Rock University holds full institutional accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and 19 other accrediting bodies for their programs.

SRU consistently places in the top two on the System’s financial dashboard, which assesses a variety of metrics across the areas of market demand, operating efficiency, and financial performance. The University has received high ratings for stewardship of its physical assets. To learn more about the University, please visit https://www.sru.edu/.

About the Foundation: Established in 1970, the Slippery Rock University Foundation, Inc. exists to generate, develop, and steward charitable gifts and other resources to support the priorities of Slippery Rock University and its students. In addition to seeking and managing private contributions and grants, the Foundation is the developer of the 39-acre Slippery Rock Technology Park. In 2016, the Foundation established the SRUF Student Housing LLC, which provides quality on-campus housing for more than 2,000 students in six residence halls. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, independent from the University, with an endowment totaling $32.4 million and overall assets totaling $41.4 million. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit https://www.srufoundation.org/.

Location: Slippery Rock University’s campus comprises more than 660 rolling acres in one of western Pennsylvania’s most beautiful areas. Slippery Rock offers historic charm in a small town setting. The borough is home to approximately 3,500 residents. The University offers an abundance of cultural enrichment opportunities throughout the school year, and the region provides numerous year-round outdoor activities. Slippery Rock is also a convenient drive to major metropolitan centers such as Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Erie.

Application: Interested candidates should submit only a cover letter and resume to RPA Inc. at SRUVPUA@rpainc.org. For a confidential discussion about this opportunity or to make a nomination, please call Amanda O’Donnell, Search Consultant, or Dana John Cohick, President, at 570-321-6111. The review of candidates will begin on August 21, 2019, and first-round interviews will commence thereafter.

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, age/or veteran status in its programs or activities in accordance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies.