Vice President of Alumnae Relations and Development

Sweet Briar is a liberal arts college for women with a long
history of forging female leaders.  Sweet Briar College is
repeatedly named by the US News and World Report as one of the most
innovative liberal arts colleges in the nation.  Sweet Briar
College is growing rapidly, attracting students who are drawn to it
for its excellent liberal arts program, coupled with distinctive
programs in women leadership, engineering, sustainability, arts and
its legendary equestrian program. Its finances are robust, and
validated by balanced budget and positive bond ratings.

Located in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains
approximately 12 miles north of Lynchburg and 54 miles south of
Charlottesville. Its campus is one of the nation’s most
spectacular, replete with nature sanctuaries, lakes, forests,
trails, and most recently, vineyards, apiary and greenhouses.

The College boasts a modern core curriculum focused on women’s
leadership in the 21st century and undergraduate programs in the
arts, sciences and humanities, as well as a Master of Arts in
Teaching. It is one of only two women’s colleges in the United
States with an ABET-accredited engineering degree. The women’s
leadership core curriculum innovative and energizing.

When students graduate, they are persuasive communicators who
know how to think on their feet and bring people together. No
matter what they study or where they go, Sweet Briar women are
prepared to lead. The campus community is a family of
faculty, staff, coaches, and alumnae who
support and encourage students and each other. With a
student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, students lead research, ask
questions and forge supportive relationships with faculty that can
last for decades.

 

Vice President of Alumnae Relations and
Development

 

Classification:  Exempt

 

Reports To:  President, Sweet Briar
College

 

Job Summary/Objective:  The Vice President
of Alumnae Relations and Development (AR&D) is a senior officer
at Sweet Briar College and reports directly to the President.
She/he shall lead Alumnae Relations and Development
and serve on the President’s administrative Cabinet. She/he is
responsible for seeking funds for current operations, campaign
dollars, capital improvements, and endowments while expanding and
stewarding the circle of alumnae and friends concerned with the
college’s welfare and advancement.

 

Position Type/Expected Work Hours:
M-F 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with many
evenings, weekends, and/or holidays as needed for event
preparation, etc. On-campus housing is required, included, and will
be utilized to host Sweet Briar College entertainment and
fundraising events.

 

Essential Responsibilities:

• Belief in Sweet Briar College’s mission and the importance
  of women’s colleges.
• Design a comprehensive alumnae relations and development plan
  with rolling annual objectives and three-to five-year goals
  supporting the College’s strategic goals.
• Guide the work of the four professional staff in Alumnae
  Relations and Development in successfully implementing the
  College’s strategic plans.
• Manage a personal portfolio of 75-100 top prospects for annual,
  major, and planned gifts. Support the President in managing her
  portfolio of the College’s top 20 to 25 donors and prospective
  donors. The Vice President should also be the President’s
  backup on those 20 to 25. It is expected that 70 percent of the
  Vice President’s time will be spent on personal contacts that lead
  to solicitations and the successful closing of gifts.
• Identify and qualify new major prospects for the College
  through personal meetings, phone calls, and referrals by Board
  members and volunteers.
• Plan College cultivation touches with major donors and
  prospects and ensures that donors receive appropriate stewardship
  and recognition.
• Identify and cultivate new funding sources for the College to
  expand and diversify future financial support.  Be prepared to
  lead a capital campaign.
• Proactively work with the President and Board Chair to carry
  out the annual giving campaign and solicit current and former Board
  members for gifts to support strategic goals.  Ensure that all
  Board members receive a personal solicitation each year and reach
  100%.
• Responsible for staffing the Board Governance Committee.
• Promote an “integrated and continuous learning environment” at
  Sweet Briar College through collaboration with all other Vice
  Presidents and Cabinet members in teamwork development.
• Provide leadership in developing assessment strategies and
  performance indicators for major programmatic areas within
  AR&D.
• Develop, update and oversee staff metrics.
• Provide leadership in identifying and responding to
  philanthropic trends that impact the College’s fundraising
  programs.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of effective internal
  and external messaging and methods for College and advancement
  communications.
• Develop operating budgets for each department over which he or
  she is responsible, within guidelines established by the
  campus planning processes and the budget committee.
• Oversee a department of approximately 18 individuals using an
  empathetic, accountable, empowering, and inspiring leadership
  style. Inspire team performance by example and through mentorship
  and coaching.
• Embody and energetically promote values of caring, compassion,
  justice, integrity, inclusion, diversity, fairness, dignity, and
  respect with all Sweet Briar College constituencies.
• Assist the President in reaching goals and other projects as
  assigned, and assist the College in attaining goals and
  enhancing a positive, respectful learning environment.
• Extensive travel is required in the region, nationally, and
  (occasionally) internationally.

 Supervisory Responsibility:

• Executive Assistant to the VP; Senior Director of Major Gifts
  and Stewardship; Senior Director of Alumnae and Development; and
  Director of Strategic Initiatives, Foundations, and Corporate
  Relations.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Ten or more years of experience in alumnae relations and
  development.
• Proficient in all aspects of Advancement, including alumnae
  relations and annual, major, and planned giving.
• Experience in completing multi-year fundraising campaigns as
  the lead solicitor/director.
• Experience in challenging fundraising projects using innovative
  strategies.
• Highly effective written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge and utilization of online fundraising
  strategies.
• Leadership qualities to support collaboration among senior team
  members.
• Excellent judgment and high integrity.
• Business and financial knowledge, including budgeting skills
  and financial reporting.
• Positive and approachable interpersonal style and the ability
  to win trust among co-workers.
• Commitment to the long-term sustainability of the College.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in a related field is preferred.
• Applicable experience within an institution of higher
  education.
• Comprehensive capital campaign fundraising experience.

Work Environment: The position will require
attending meetings and telephone conversations. Some outdoor
activities may also be required.

 

Physical Demands: Extensive periods of
sitting/standing, talking on the telephone, and working on the
computer are required.

 

Travel: This job requires overnight travel and
some weekend commitments.

 

Other Duties: This job description is not
designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities,
duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other
duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned
at any time with or without notice.

 

Compensation: The annual compensation for this
position will be based on the successful candidate’s experience and
salary requirements. The College offers a competitive benefits
package, including on campus housing.

 

Deadline for Submission: The Vice
President of Alumnae Relations and Development position is
available now and will be filled by July 1, 2024, or sooner.
Qualified candidates should apply immediately. This position will
remain open until a successful candidate has been selected.

 

To Apply:  When applying for this
position, please ensure you have attached a cover letter, résumé,
and three professional references to your online application and
have fully completed and signed the online applicant profile
information.

 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Sweet Briar College is
committed to enhancing our community and encourages applications
from qualified individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences and
ideas who would increase the diversity of the College.

 

Job Opportunities for Sweet Briar College are available at:

https://www.sbc.edu/human-resources/employment-opportunities/