Vice President for University Advancement

California State University, Stanislaus (Stanislaus State) seeks an experienced, proactive, and aspirational vice president of university advancement (VP) to build a best-in-class advancement operation and expertly lead all fundraising and alumni engagement efforts. The vice president also serves as executive director of the California State University, Stanislaus Foundation. The VP will join Stanislaus State at a transformative moment in its history, reporting to and partnering with President Britt Rios-Ellis, for whom elevating philanthropic success and community prosperity is paramount. This is an impactful opportunity to work alongside a committed and visionary president early in her tenure to inspire a more robust and inclusive culture of philanthropy that supports access to a nationally ranked and exceptional higher education experience, grounded in student success, community engagement, and economic partnerships and productivity throughout the region. 

As an integral member of President Rios-Ellis’ cabinet, the vice president serves as the university’s chief development and engagement officer. The VP will be responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive, integrated advancement strategy and the necessary infrastructure to build a sustainable fundraising operation, including annual, major, planned and principal gifts, alumni engagement, corporate and foundation relations, and events. The VP will benefit from President Rios-Ellis’ enthusiasm to participate in advancement-related activities, maintain and strengthen ties to existing donors, and launch systematic initiatives to identify, engage, and cultivate the next generation of loyal Stanislaus State supporters. With a new Child Development Center and a second campus in Stockton, among other funding priorities, there is much potential to serve and nurture a community-engagement ecosystem at Stanislaus State and across its six-county service region in support of increased philanthropic investment in the university. To that end, the VP will play an essential role in enhancing the visibility and fundraising capabilities of the institution, effectively leveraging President Ellis-Rios in building connections with philanthropists, corporations, and local business leaders, including those serving diverse populations, who are not currently engaged, or could optimize their engagement, with the university. 

The VP will lead and develop the advancement team to successfully navigate the challenges and meet the aspirations of the university. This individual will build upon the program's recent investments in alumni relations, annual giving, and faculty and staff giving campaigns, leading the advancement enterprise’s evolution in a changing social, educational, and economic climate. The ideal candidate will be a culturally competent and collaborative team leader adept at maximizing, leveraging, and advocating for the Stan State community and facilitating their success. The next VP will bring a strategic, thoughtful, and entrepreneurial approach to fostering lifelong relationships between Stanislaus State and its broad spectrum of constituents: faculty, staff, students, alumni, board members, volunteers, and senior administrators. The VP will be expected to help internal community members bridge partnerships with industry, community leaders, and unaffiliated donors to enhance the university's existing relationships in the region. The ideal candidate will have a successful track record of elevating the performance of fundraising programs, resulting in sustainable philanthropic growth for an institution. 

The ideal candidate will possess at least five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a comprehensive advancement operation as well as a track record of significant personal success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship at principal gift levels. Participation in a capital campaign is preferred. The ideal candidate must be a self-starter who can transform new ideas into executable and enduring programs and build strong relationships that link campus, community, and industry. The successful candidate must also possess a collaborative orientation, extraordinary communication skills, creativity, humility, integrity, and the ability to adapt to a complex environment where efficient resource management is critical. A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

Rachel Ellenport is leading this search with Christina Garrison, Maureen Perry, and Rebecca Lyons. 

California State University, Stanislaus is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.