Skip to the content of the web site.

Associate Vice-President, Advancement Services

Department: Advancement Services, Office of Advancement Effective Date: August, 2014
Grade:

USG 17

35 hr/wk

Reports to: Vice-President, Advancement

General Accountability

The Associate Vice-President, Advancement Services is accountable to the Vice-President, Advancement, and is responsible for strategic planning and senior management of the infrastructure and central services necessary to promote and sustain university-wide and faculty based fundraising and alumni activities.  The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring operational efficiency and building a service culture within the advancement operation.

S/He is responsible for overall strategic direction and management of the key components within Advancement Services which are: 

The Associate Vice-President, Advancement Services is a member of the Advancement senior management group, and works closely with the VP Advancement, Associate Vice-President, Development, Associate Vice-President, Principal Gifts, Associate Vice-President Alumni Relations, Deans and Advancement leaders in the faculties, schools and affiliated university colleges to plan, implement and execute strategic and operational services in support of faculty and university wide fundraising and alumni priorities. 

Nature and Scope

Reporting to the VP Advancement, the incumbent is responsible for overseeing a customer-, and donor-, centred Advancement operation that positions central and faculty development and alumni staff for success.  S/he will provide strategic planning, management and direction to support and promote advancement best practices as related to Advancement Services.

Reporting to the Associate Vice-President, Advancement Services are the following individuals:

The Associate Vice-President, Advancement Services works within Advancement, which is comprised of Central Development, Alumni Relations, Principal Gifts, Global and Regional Development, Directors/Associate Directors of Advancement in the faculties, schools, departments, and the Affiliated and Federated Institutions of Waterloo, in the implementation of programs, the creation and management of communications materials, both custom and broad based, and in the conduct of business administration across the offices .  Significant interaction is required with other organizational units on campus, including but not limited to Office of Research, Secretariat, Finance, IST, SAFA, and GSO.  

Significant Internal Relationships

 

    Significant External Relationships

Statistical Data

Leadership of a team of approximately 35 advancement professionals.

Budget of approximately $2.7 million.

Specific Accountabilities

The AVP Advancement Services is responsible for the strategic direction, development and execution of central services for the advancement operation.  The incumbent will provide leadership in best practices and keep current on initiatives in the North American Market.  The incumbent is responsible for the development of policy, guidelines and procedures including, but not limited to: gift acceptance, counting and reporting standards, prospect management, naming and recognition, and endowment reporting.

Specific accountability for the unit include:

 

Position Requirements

 

Education:

Completion of a bachelor’s degree.  An advanced degree would be an asset.

 

 

Experience:

10-15 years of progressive fundraising and management experience with a proven track record of achievement and success.

 

Technical:

 

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Other

 

Intermediate

 

 

Intermediate

 

Basic

 

Fundraising Database

 

Interpersonal Skills: Internally, communicates with faculty and staff in groups and departments across campus – must be able to influence and motivate others, advocating for the needs of advancement.  Internal collaborative relationships include Finance, Registrar’s Office, Secretariat, Office of Research, and others.  Management of a large team of professional staff with varying levels of expertise in specialty areas (eg. prospect research, database systems, donor relations, communications.)  Externally, will represent advancement to donors concerning gift payments and receipts.  Will represent the university with peer groups across the sector.

 

 

Level of Responsibility:

The position is responsible for the overall results of the group.  Many of the projects and initiatives of the group will directly impact the ability of fundraisers and alumni relations staff to successfully complete their jobs. The position plays a significant role in the development and approval of gift agreements prior to acceptance by the university.

 

 

Decision-Making Authority:

Responsible and accountable for establishing the priorities of Advancement Services and addressing changes to strategic business plans by consulting directly with the VP, AVP’s and faculty units.

 

 

Physical and Sensory Demands:

Typical demands reflective of a senior executive position operating within an office environment. 

Working Conditions

Minimum exposure to disagreeable conditions.