Assoc Vice President of Philanthropy and Engagement
ID: 2025-2167
Category: Development
Type:
FLSA Status: Exempt
Benefit Eligible: Benefit Eligible
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Office Location: Anderson Center
Job Summary
The Associate Vice President for Philanthropy and Engagement provides strategic leadership to a high-performing team of gift officers and alumni and family engagement professionals to advance Bethel University's philanthropic and relational priorities.
This role oversees fundraising strategy, including alumni and family engagement, ensuring integration with institutional goals and measurable outcomes. The AVP partners closely with the Vice President of Advancement and the AVP of Advancement Operations to design comprehensive engagement strategies, integrate best practices, and manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors. In addition, the AVP fosters a culture of collaboration across campus, working with faculty, athletics, and key stakeholders to cultivate lifelong relationships with alumni, families, and donors that inspire generosity, volunteering, and advocacy in support of Bethel's mission.
Responsibilities
- Leadership and Strategic Vision- 35%
- Oversee and strengthen the philanthropic framework of University Advancement, ensuring effective management of donor strategies, fundraising initiatives, and alumni, parent, and family engagement priorities across schools, programs, and the university.
- Provide strategic vision and leadership to optimize fundraising performance, innovation, and effectiveness across key functions-including donor pipeline development, alumni and family engagement strategies, solicitation approaches, and stewardship practices.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing fundraising and engagement team-including direct oversight of alumni and parent functions-fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Partner closely with the AVP of Advancement Operations to ensure the integration of systems, data, analytics, and operational tools that drive accountability, enhance donor and alumni engagement, and enable sustainable growth.
- Ensure the development and use of clear metrics, reports, dashboards, and analytics across both fundraising and engagement functions to track performance, identify opportunities for growth, and demonstrate results. Provide Advancement leadership and key stakeholders with regular updates that highlight strategies, leading indicators, outcomes, and progress toward institutional goals.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management - 25%
- Manage a focused portfolio of 25-50 major and principal gift prospects-including high-net-worth individuals and families-by developing and executing customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans that result in commitments of $100,000 or more, including cash, non-cash, and planned gifts, while meeting or exceeding established performance metrics.
- Design and implement comprehensive donor strategies that align with Bethel's mission and institutional priorities, guiding relationships from identification through long-term stewardship.
- Build and sustain strong, trust-based relationships through personalized engagement, including campus visits, strategic events, and high-touch communications.
- Prepare compelling proposals and presentations that connect donor interests with university priorities and funding opportunities.
- Maintain accurate and timely records in Salesforce, including strategy documentation, proposal tracking, relationship milestones, and pipeline updates.
- Serve as a visible and trusted ambassador of the university, representing Bethel with credibility and enthusiasm in external settings to engage alumni, parents, community leaders, and philanthropic partners.
- Stay current on philanthropic trends, donor giving models, and fundraising innovations, evaluating and applying emerging strategies to strengthen Bethel's culture of generosity and sustain long-term growth.
- Fundraising Strategy & Execution - 20%
- Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive fundraising strategies that align with the university's mission, financial goals, and advancement priorities-integrating alumni and parent engagement as essential components of the philanthropic pipeline.
- Take a forward-thinking and expeditious approach to donor engagement, proactively identifying opportunities, refining cultivation strategies, and accelerating gift conversations to drive year-over-year increases in philanthropic support.
- Provide strategic oversight of solicitation, stewardship, and recognition practices to ensure that every donor experience is mission-driven, donor-centered, and trust-building.
- Engagement Strategy & Execution - 20%
- Lead the integration of engagement into philanthropy, positioning alumni, parent, and family engagement as essential drivers of generosity, volunteer leadership, and advocacy for Bethel University.
- Empower and partner with Alumni & Family Relations leadership to design innovative, scalable, and mission-driven strategies that deepen lifelong connection to Bethel and inspire courageous generosity.
- Ensure the development and execution of signature events and programs as strategic entry points that build belonging, create memorable experiences, and connect constituents to volunteer pathways and giving opportunities.
- Ensure that communications, stewardship practices, and alumni/family experiences are aligned with Bethel's brand and advancement priorities, so that every engagement touchpoint advances the university's mission and philanthropic readiness
Required Skills
- Leadership Skills: Proven leadership experience with the ability to manage teams, establish a culture of accountability, drive process improvements, and implement strategic initiatives while fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and continuous improvement.
- Collaboration Skills: Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including advancement operations, athletics, faculty, finance, and other departments to improve operational efficiency and achieve shared goals.
- Communication Skills: Exceptional interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling donor messaging, present fundraising strategies to stakeholders, and engage effectively with high-capacity donors.
- Forward Thinking and Innovation: Proactive and strategic mindset with the ability to anticipate trends, adapt to the evolving philanthropic landscape, and implement innovative fundraising approaches. Demonstrated ability to think critically, challenge the status quo, and develop long-term strategies that drive sustainable growth and donor engagement.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suites and with fundraising software (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, Blackbaud).
Experience
- Minimum of six (6) years of fundraising or related experience, with a strong background in leadership, strategic planning, and fundraising oversight.
- Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams, fostering a collaborative, results-driven culture aligned with institutional fundraising goals.
- Demonstrated success managing a high-capacity donor portfolio ($100,000+), with expertise in cultivating, soliciting, and securing major, transformational, and planned gifts.
- Comprehensive experience in fundraising strategies, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and capital campaigns, with a deep understanding of best practices in higher education philanthropy, donor engagement, and stewardship.
- Experience working with fundraising software (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, Blackbaud).
Education
Required Education: Bachelor's degree in relevant field (e.g., Business, Nonprofit Management, Fundraising, or related area).
Preferred Education: Master's degree or advanced certification in a relevant field
Additional Information
Travel: 20% - 25% out of town travel may be required.
Work Environment:
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as desktop and/or laptop computers, photocopiers and smartphones.
The work environment involves working for a suburban, Christian university in which all employees are expected to have a demonstrated commitment and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a commitment to the mission and values of the University, and an agreement to abide by all University policies.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. The job requires extended periods of sitting and traversing the Bethel Campus on a regular basis. Reasonable accommodations may be made to ensure people are able to perform the essential functions.
The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
Expected Hours of Work:
Typically, days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, with the expectation to work specific schedules and hours as identified and communicated by management. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. This is a 40 hour per week, 12 months per year position.
Benefits
Bethel is committed to offering meaningful benefits to our employees including health insurance, retirement plans, and a generous time off package. Learn more about these offerings here.
Learn more about our commitment to diversity in hiring .
Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with approximately 4,700 students from 50 states and 32 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bethel offers bachelor's and advanced degrees in nearly 100 fields. Educationally excellent classroom-based and online programs equip graduates to make exceptional contributions in life-long service to God and the world.
Bethel University's Christ-centered mission includes a commitment to equal educational opportunity and equal employment opportunity. Bethel does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, or age in its admissions, educational programs, or employment practices.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We are unable to sponsor or transfer employment visas for this role.
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To apply, visit https://staffcareers-bethel.icims.com/jobs/2167/assoc-vice-president-of-philanthropy-and-engagement/job?in_iframe=1
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Bethel University
Sep 10, 2025