The Assistant Vice President of Development and Philanthropy (AVP) serves as the senior operational leader for fundraising within the Office of Institutional Advancement. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the AVP is responsible for managing the daily execution of the College’s fundraising and donor engagement programs, ensuring strong systems, consistent performance, and measurable outcomes across all areas of development.
This role provides hands-on leadership in implementing the College’s philanthropic initiatives—major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, and donor stewardship—while maintaining alignment with the strategic priorities and direction established by the Vice President.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Execution and Program Management
- Implement fundraising strategies and initiatives designed by the Vice President for Institutional Advancement to achieve annual and campaign goals.
- Translate strategic plans into actionable development objectives, performance targets, and staff work plans.
- Ensure fundraising activities and donor engagement programs align with institutional mission, branding, and advancement priorities.
- Oversee and coordinate all aspects of development operations, ensuring best practices and accountability.
Fundraising Leadership
- Manage a defined portfolio of major and leadership-level donors, ensuring regular contact, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Provide operational oversight for annual giving, planned giving, and corporate/foundation relations.
- Support deans, faculty, and other internal partners in developing compelling proposals and funding opportunities.
- Achieve revenue and donor engagement goals through coordinated solicitation and stewardship efforts.
Donor Relations and Stewardship
- Supervise the execution of stewardship activities, including acknowledgments, donor reports, and recognition programs.
- Ensure timely and consistent communication with donors in accordance with College policy and Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) standards.
- Collaborate with Advancement Services to maintain accurate donor records, giving histories, and acknowledgment processes.
- Coordinate donor recognition events and engagement opportunities in partnership with the Donor Relations and Events staff.
Collaboration and Internal Coordination
- Work closely with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement to align fundraising activities with marketing, communications, and alumni engagement efforts.
- Serve as a liaison between the development team and other campus departments to ensure effective coordination and resource sharing.
- Support campaign committees and volunteer groups as directed by the Vice President. Data, Reporting, and Compliance
- Oversee the collection, tracking, and reporting of development metrics and progress toward fundraising goals.
- Collaborate with Advancement Services to maintain accurate gift entry, documentation, and reporting systems.
- Ensure compliance with College, IRS, and CASE standards in all fundraising operations.
- Prepare regular reports for internal review by the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage donors and stakeholders effectively.
· Proven record of collaborative leadership and operational management. · Proficiency in fundraising CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge/NXT). · Commitment to the mission, values, and advancement priorities of Talladega College. Other Duties
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
