Vice President of Development and Alumni Affairs Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PA www.delval.edu Send Nominations or Cover Letter and Resume to: Anne Norton Search Director 617-262-1102 anorton@lllsearches.com The Opportunity: Delaware Valley University (DelVal) is an independent, nonprofit university located in Doylestown, PA. Founded as an agricultural college in 1896, DelVal has grown into an academically rigorous interdisciplinary university dedicated to the sciences and liberal arts. Today, its more than 1,000 acres of land is a testament to the University s mission to provide a functional learning environment for students, serving as an outdoor classroom for several fields of study. Delaware Valley University seeks a visionary fundraiser and effective change-agent who can inspire others in the building of an institutional culture of philanthropy. This is the ideal opportunity for a seasoned advancement professional who has deep development experience, superior relationship-building abilities, and an unparalleled passion for the values of higher education. DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY BACKGROUNDER 1
DelVal was ranked among the Top 25 Best Northern Comprehensive Colleges by U.S. News & World Report for ten years (2006-2015), and cited by Princeton Review as a Best College in the Northeast from 2011-2015. Building on its strength as a college and its expansion in graduate programs, DelVal was elevated to university status in 2015. This milestone represents the University s long-standing roots in teaching through faculty-driven curriculum and experiential learning initiatives in both niche programs and broader fields of study. In July 2016, Delaware Valley University welcomed its 13 th President, Dr. Maria Gallo the first woman to hold this office in the institution s 120-year history. DelVal has begun its next strategic planning process, which will leverage the school s university status over the next six years and help increase its capacity across critical revenue streams, including contributed income. The strategic plan is expected to be approved by mid-2018, providing a critical roadmap for the work of the Development and Alumni Affairs team in the near term, and paving the way for DelVal s next comprehensive campaign. The Vice President will build strong relationships with faculty, cabinet members, and the President; serve as a key ambassador to DelVal s prospects, donors, and alumni; and guide the Development and Alumni Affairs team in expanding alumni engagement and increasing fundraising results. The VP will serve as the liaison to the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees and will report on behalf of the department and the committee to the 18-member Board of Trustees. Individuals who are strategic leaders, effective managers, and metrics-driven practitioners will be successful in this role. Campaign experience, a proven track record of securing major gifts, a background in alumni relations and athletic fundraising, a high regard for higher education, and exemplary interpersonal skills are strongly preferred skills for this position. Candidates who bring a dynamic, creative approach to utilizing DelVal s unique academic offerings, on-campus activities, and alumni events in the design and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising and engagement strategy are strongly encouraged to apply. This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals who possess a blend of highly developed emotional intelligence, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to manage budgets, track income, and manage projections around fundraising results and contributed income strategies for the University. DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY BACKGROUNDER 2
Vice President of Development and Alumni Affairs Position Summary: The Vice President of Development and Alumni Affairs (VP) is the chief development officer of the University, who reports directly to the President and serves on the President s cabinet. The Vice President is the principal architect of, and leads the ongoing development and implementation of, the University s fundraising activities, alumni affairs, and the cultivation of a culture of philanthropy across all stakeholders. The VP uses creative and best practice development strategies and processes, and is responsible for ensuring alignment of fundraising activities with the strategic priorities of the University. The VP must think and plan strategically, and must use a collaborative management style to ensure outstanding management practices in support of the University s core values. The VP is an essential partner who works with the President and the other senior leaders of the University to drive positive change and attract resources for such change. Essential Responsibilities: I. Provides strategic and tactical fundraising and alumni affairs leadership. Keeps informed and evaluates internal and external forces impacting the University s fundraising and friend-raising activities, and designs short and long-term plans and programs that support the University s strategic priorities and core values. Serves as advisor to the President on all matters related to development and alumni affairs. Works with the President and Board Chair to make the development committee and Board function effectively in fundraising activities. Provides management oversight of all the University s fundraising activities, and manages the day-to-day operations of the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. o Oversees the establishment of fundraising goals and objectives (both departmental and individual). o Ensures the attainment of the University s fundraising goals through the selection, development, motivation and evaluation of human resources, both professional and volunteer. o Ensures compliance with all relevant regulations and laws, maintains accountability standards to donors, establishes and maintains best practice policies and procedures, and ensures compliance with ethical standards of professional conduct for fundraising activities. DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY BACKGROUNDER 3
o Monitors budgets within the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs and the ongoing allocation of resources. o Creates and maintains a development and alumni affairs effectiveness evaluation system, including strategic and tactical metrics. o Creates a collegial, team-oriented work environment within the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, motivating staff to high performance. o Assures staff is trained and receives professional development. o Oversees the development of relationships with relevant foundations, corporations, and government entities, and the submission of grant proposals and other solicitation materials. o Assures the design and maintenance of donor and prospect records, gift management systems, informational reports, and ongoing stewardship of donor relations. o Assures University alumni are engaged and developed as donors and volunteers, including the oversight of alumni events. Provides principal managerial responsibility for comprehensive and special campaigns including, but not limited to, selection and oversight of any outside campaign consultants, campaign market research, development of campaign plans and timetables, development of campaign print and digital materials in collaboration with marketing and communications, and appropriate reporting. Appropriately represents the University, the Board and the President to donors, prospects, and alumni. Closely collaborates, communicates, and partners with relevant departments throughout the University to understand institutional needs and realize fund-raising goals. Maintains cooperative working relationships with the Board, alumni, donors, faculty, coaches, and campus departments whose active cooperation is essential for effective development programs. Closely collaborates with marketing and communications to formulate the development and alumni affairs story, and the use of best practice communication tools and methods. II. Provides institutional leadership. Serves on the President s cabinet. Serves as the liaison to the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees. Participates in institutional-level strategic planning and ongoing implementation. III. Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the President. DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY BACKGROUNDER 4
Required qualifications: Master s degree in business, communications, public relations, or a related field; At least 8-10 years of experience in development at an institution of higher education or nonprofit entity; At least five years of management experience in development; Demonstrated experience implementing a comprehensive development program, best practices, and producing results; Major gift solicitation experience and results; Demonstrated experience in comprehensive and special campaigns; Demonstrated competency motivating and enabling a diverse set of staff and volunteers; Demonstrated ability to build rapport, collaborate, and partner with senior leaders and other managers, and with donors; and An ability and willingness to participate in a wide variety of University events and activities and to travel. Preferred qualifications: An entrepreneurial mind-set demonstrated by an ability to lead the creation and implementation of innovative development strategies; Excellent in all communication skills: writing, oral, presentation, and interpersonal skills; and CFRP (Certified Fund Raising Professional). Delaware Valley University is fully committed to a diverse workforce and encourages qualified candidates of diverse cultural backgrounds and abilities to apply. Delaware Valley University reserves the right to revise, change, or modify job responsibilities and position qualifications as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Development and Alumni Affairs The Development and Alumni Affairs office raises $4M annually, primarily from annual fund donations, major gifts, and corporate, foundation, and government support. Scholarships are a critical fundraising priority, as are larger infrastructure and programmatic needs, ranging from residence hall improvements to farm equipment maintenance to library and technology upgrades. DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY BACKGROUNDER 5
The Vice President oversees six direct reports: Executive Director of Major Gifts, Director of Research and Donor Relations, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, Director of Alumni Relations, Director of Annual Giving and Advancement Services, and an Administrative Assistant. Delaware Valley University In 1896, Joseph Krauskopf, an activist rabbi and tireless advocate for social justice, purchased a 100-acre farm in Doylestown, PA, arranged for the construction of a small classroom building, employed a faculty of two, and enrolled six students. With this modest start, the National Farm School (now Delaware Valley University) was established, providing a three-year program combining academics and work experience. This marriage of the theoretical and the practical resonates as strongly today at Delaware Valley University. Delaware Valley University offers students a wide array of undergraduate degree, graduate degree, and continuing education degree programs. DelVal has more than 25 undergraduate majors in the natural sciences, business, and humanities, including Bachelor s degrees in specialized areas like Small Animal Science, Conservation and Wildlife Management, and Equine Science, to more traditional undergraduate programs in Business Administration, Counseling Psychology, and Landscape Architecture. The University offers six Master's programs, a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, an MBA program, and several adult education courses. The University boasts small class sizes, an applied and theoretical approach to learning, and individualized attention. The University s student-faculty ratio is 15:1, allowing for a very close-knit campus. It encourages an environment where faculty know students by name, forging strong mentoring relationships with them. DelVal has approximately, 1,960 undergraduates and 400 graduate students (approximately 55% female and 45% male). The University has over $30M in financial aid available to assist students, and 97% of incoming freshman receive some level of assistance. Fifty-six percent of full-time undergraduate students live on campus, and student activities include 70+ clubs and organizations on campus and 23 Division III athletic teams, plus cheerleading, and intramural and sports clubs. DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY BACKGROUNDER 6
Delaware Valley University is one of the few higher education institutions that requires an experiential learning component. The Experience360 Program (E360) serves as the cornerstone of all academic programs at DelVal and provides an individualized approach to each student s major. Academic programs are embedded with hands-on experience, ensuring the development of soft skills alongside the gathering of technical abilities. One hundred percent of DelVal students will gain real-world experience before graduation, a major differentiator between the University and other schools of its size, and 91% of graduates are accepted to graduate school or have secured a job soon after graduation. In 2013, DelVal was included on the list of 10 Colleges with the Highest Rate of Student Internships by U.S. News & World Report, and has been named a STEM Jobs Approved school by STEM Jobs Magazine for excellence in STEM education, a distinction based on how effectively schools align programs with high demand, high-paying STEM jobs, and how well they assist students in achieving career aspirations in STEM fields. In addition, DelVal sponsors a Small Business Entrepreneurship Center offering students an opportunity to exercise innovative and entrepreneurial skills. At DelVal students are building their careers from day one, beginning with a course incorporating professional development and problem-based learning, and ending with the creation of a co-curricular transcript that incorporates experiences such as internships, study abroad, research, and civic engagement. These experiences make the University s students more qualified for the challenges of the 21st century, and DelVal cultivates a community of inspiring, intelligent, and imaginative thinkers who can create new initiatives. DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY BACKGROUNDER 7
Location Doylestown, PA: Delaware Valley University s campus is in picturesque Doylestown, nestled in beautiful Bucks County, PA. Doylestown Borough combines classic architectural forms, history, recreational fun, and a picturesque landscape. Less than 30 miles north of Philadelphia and 80 miles from New York City, Doylestown is easily accessible by car and rail. Septa's Regional Rail service stops on the DelVal campus, providing access to Philadelphia, New York City, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. Known for its top-ranked school system, Central Bucks (CB) is a suburban school district located in the heart of Bucks County and includes nine municipalities: the Boroughs of Chalfont, Doylestown, and New Britain; and the Townships of Buckingham, Doylestown, New Britain, Plumstead, Warrington, and Warwick. Central Bucks has an area of 122 square miles and a population of over 101,000. Currently CB is the third-largest school district in the state. Over 18,000 students are educated in its fifteen elementary, five middle, and three high schools. An award-winning staff development program and careful planning for growth have resulted in a very consistent and stable district, even with such a large student enrollment. Based on the official Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System (PVAAS), CB ranks #1 among all public school districts in Bucks County and #15 out of the state s 500 districts. Ninety-three percent of CB students further their education at two- and four-year colleges, and CB has a graduation rate of more than 99%. Background Checks: Prior to submitting your resume for this position, please read it over for accuracy. LLLS does verify academic credentials for its candidates, and our clients frequently conduct background checks prior to finalizing an offer. DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY BACKGROUNDER 8
To learn more, call Anne Norton, Search Director at 617-262-1102 or send nominations or cover letter and resume to anorton@lllsearches.com. All inquiries will be held in confidence. Setting the Standard in Development Search LOIS L. LINDAUER SEARCHES, LLC 420 Boylston Street, Suite 604, Boston, MA 02116 617.262.1102 www.lllsearches.com DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY BACKGROUNDER 9
Appendix Leadership: Maria Gallo, Ph.D. President Dr. Maria Gallo, a Fulbright Scholar and a Fellow of both the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America, became the 13th President of Delaware Valley University on July 1, 2016. Prior to coming to Delaware Valley University, Dr. Gallo served as dean and director for research and cooperative extension at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). As dean of CTAHR, Dr. Gallo served as its chief executive officer and worked with the Advisory Council, faculty, staff, and stakeholders to set the strategic vision for the College, communicated that vision to all internal and external constituencies, and secured the needed resources to accomplish those strategic goals. As the administrative head of the College, Dr. Gallo led all faculty members, administrative officers, and other employees statewide; as the chief academic, research, and extension officer at CTAHR, Dr. Gallo provided the vision and leadership for the College s six interdisciplinary academic departments, four county offices, and numerous research and extension facilities on 1,554 acres across Hawai`i. At CTAHR, Dr. Gallo led the development and implementation of the College s comprehensive strategic plan, resulting in an endowed scholarship, an increase in students graduating in STEM disciplines, and significant increases in student and faculty diversity. Prior to joining the University of Hawai`i at Manoa, Dr. Gallo served as professor and chair of the agronomy department at the University of Florida where she had a productive teaching and research program. She is a plant molecular biologist who specializes in crop improvement and has been an author on more than 78 refereed journal articles. A native New Yorker, she earned her B.S. in agronomy from Cornell University, and both her M.S. in crop science and Ph.D. in genetics from North Carolina State University. Dr. Gallo captured the essence of the institution and its mission in her recent inaugural address: I ve always felt the phrase idle dreaming was something of an oxymoron. Dreams are the raw material of most great accomplishments in the lives of people, as well as universities. And the route from idea to accomplishment often follows the path of Dream... Design... Do. Someone takes their DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY BACKGROUNDER 10
dream and applies the discipline of designing a workable plan. Then comes the Do stage: the highenergy process of making it happen, despite the inevitable setbacks along the way. At each stage, the process becomes more communal. This is a productive path well-traveled at Delaware Valley University. It began with the original dream of founder Rabbi Krauskopf to create a national farm school and continues through DelVal s expansion into a full university, where experiential learning is an art and student success is a heartfelt priority. Dream... Design... Do is part of our identity To see the full address, please click here. DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY BACKGROUNDER 11
Organization Chart