Vice Chancellor of Development

Job Description

The Vice Chancellor of Development (VCD) serves as the Columbus campus senior advancement executive and lead major gift fundraiser. Reporting directly to the Chancellor, the VCD is a member of the Chancellor's Cabinet and provides strategic leadership for the campus philanthropic program while personally building relationships and securing significant philanthropic commitments.
The VCD will manage a portfolio of qualified major gift prospects and donors and will personally identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals, corporations, foundations, alumni, and community partners. The position will lead a comprehensive campus advancement strategy that supports the College's mission and aligns Columbus priorities with Ivy Tech Foundation and statewide initiatives, campaign strategies, policies, and professional standards.
The VCD will maintain a dotted-line relationship to the Ivy Tech Foundation Systems Office. The Chancellor will provide campus leadership and establish campus priorities. The Systems Office Foundation will provide functional leadership related to fundraising strategy, campaign alignment, prospect and portfolio management, metrics, donor coordination, Foundation policies, and advancement best practices. Annual fundraising and performance goals will be established collaboratively with the Chancellor and Systems Office Foundation leadership.
Major Gift Fundraising and Portfolio Management
Manage an active portfolio of qualified major gift prospects and donors, with particular emphasis on five- and six-figure commitments that advance Columbus campus, campaign, and statewide priorities.
Personally identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals, corporations, foundations, alumni, and community partners capable of making significant philanthropic investments.
Develop and execute individualized donor strategies that move prospects through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, commitment, and stewardship.
Conduct substantive donor and prospect interactions and facilitate strategic engagement with the Chancellor, campus leaders, faculty, Foundation leaders, board members, volunteers, and other institutional partners.
Prepare and present compelling proposals, cases for support, concept papers, stewardship reports, and donor communications.
Lead gift discussions and negotiate gift agreements in collaboration with Foundation and College leadership, ensuring alignment with donor intent and institutional policies.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions, opportunities, proposals, commitments, and next steps in the Foundation's constituent relationship management system.
Review the portfolio regularly to qualify new prospects, advance active prospects, release inactive prospects, and focus time on the strongest philanthropic opportunities.
Achieve annual fundraising, activity, pipeline, stewardship, and portfolio-management goals established collaboratively with the Chancellor and Systems Office Foundation leadership.
Campus Advancement Strategy
Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chancellor and Cabinet on fundraising strategy, philanthropic priorities, donor engagement, alumni relations, community partnerships, and resource development.
Support the Chancellor, College and Foundation leadership, board members, and volunteers in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive campus fundraising plan aligned with Columbus priorities, Foundation initiatives, campaign objectives, and statewide goals.
Partner with campus leadership and subject matter experts to translate institutional priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities for scholarships, student success, academic programs, workforce initiatives, capital projects, and other strategic needs.
Lead campus campaign planning and execution, including priority development, volunteer engagement, leadership giving, prospect strategy, and coordination with statewide campaign efforts.
Use fundraising metrics, donor analytics, prospect data, and portfolio reviews to evaluate progress, strengthen strategy, and maximize philanthropic outcomes.
Foster a campus-wide culture of philanthropy in which leaders, faculty, staff, board members, alumni, and volunteers understand and support the development process.
Team Leadership and Advancement Operations
Lead, develop, and mentor the campus Development team while fostering a collaborative, service-oriented, accountable, and high-performing culture.
Establish clear expectations, provide coaching and professional development, and evaluate staff performance in alignment with campus and Foundation goals.
Lead campus-based development activities and partner with Systems Office Foundation teams for specialized support such as in planned giving, grants, philanthropic impact, advancement services, campaign strategy, communications, prospect development, and related functions.
Ensure donor and prospect records, gift administration, reporting, events, communications, and business processes are accurate, timely, donor-centered, and compliant with College and Foundation policies.
Develop and manage the Development department budget and ensure responsible stewardship of institutional and philanthropic resources.
Establish departmental priorities, operational objectives, and performance measures that support campus, Foundation, and campaign initiatives.
Identify opportunities to improve fundraising effectiveness, donor service, internal coordination, and operational efficiency.
Community, Board, and Volunteer Engagement
Build and sustain relationships with donors, alumni, community leaders, employers, foundations, professional organizations, and other partners to advance the mission of the College.
Engage the Ivy Tech Foundation Board of Directors, Columbus Campus Board of Trustees, advisory committees, alumni, and volunteers as active partners in philanthropy and donor engagement.
Represent the College and Foundation at donor meetings, community events, professional associations, fundraising activities, and other external engagements.
Identify new avenues of philanthropic support and connect community interests with campus and statewide priorities.
Continue to strengthen professional competency through participation and leadership in relevant professional and community organizations.
Cabinet Leadership
Collaborate with Cabinet members to implement the College strategic plan across the Columbus service area and advance campus and College-wide priorities.
Assess functional needs, establish priorities and goals, recommend strategies, allocate resources responsibly, and evaluate progress.
Model collaborative, student-centered, employee-centered, ethical, and outcomes-focused leadership.
Lead or support strategic campus initiatives and special projects assigned by the Chancellor that are consistent with the responsibilities of the position.
Hiring Range
$100,000 - $115,000
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, advancement, philanthropy, nonprofit management, or a related field, including leadership responsibility.
Experience managing a portfolio of major gift prospects and moving donors through the full fundraising cycle.
Demonstrated ability to develop and manage a qualified fundraising pipeline and achieve measurable fundraising goals.
Demonstrated ability to advise and partner with senior leaders, volunteers, and subject matter experts on fundraising strategy and donor engagement.
Strong knowledge of major gift fundraising, donor stewardship, campaign strategy, advancement operations, prospect management, and ethical fundraising practices.
Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
Strong analytical, strategic planning, organizational, and leadership skills.
Demonstrated ability to build collaborative partnerships, influence stakeholders, and lead through change.
Demonstrated commitment to ethical fundraising, donor intent, and an inclusive environment in which donors, volunteers, students, employees, and community partners feel respected and valued.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in business administration, nonprofit management, higher education, public administration, communications, or a related field.
Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) or equivalent professional certification.
Experience within higher education, a higher education foundation, healthcare, or another complex nonprofit organization.
Experience participating in a comprehensive or capital campaign and securing leadership gifts.
Experience leading a campus-based, regional, or similarly distributed advancement program.
Ivy Tech is committed to supporting the well-being, growth, and financial security of our full-time faculty and staff. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
Health & Wellness
Multiple medical plan options paired with a Health Savings Account with a generous employer contribution
Dental plan with no-cost preventive services and coverage for orthodontia
Vision plan with low-cost exams and allowances for glasses or contact lenses
Employee Assistance Program offering no-cost confidential counseling sessions, legal consultations, financial planning consultations, and other resources
Wellness program with opportunities to earn $250 in Wellness Rewards
Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare (limited purpose) and dependent care
Retirement & Financial Security
10% employer retirement contribution, fully vested after two years
Basic life insurance equal to annual salary paid by the College, with optional supplemental coverage
Short-term and long-term disability benefits
Educational Benefits
Fee remission for employees, spouses, and dependent children
Tuition assistance for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs
Paid professional development opportunit