Job description

Posting Number: 20254434S

Location
Villanova, PA

Work Schedule: full-time/12-months

Department: 604 – University Advancement

Position Summary

Ignite Your Career at Villanova University! Whether undergraduate or graduate, faculty or staff, each community member brings with them a wealth of experiences that enrich our University and shift our perspectives. As a part of this community, your work will improve lives and ignite change!

Why work at Villanova?

• Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.
• Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum.
• Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more.

Villanova University has embarked on a 10-year strategic plan, Rooted. Restless., with the goal of enhancing the Augustinian Catholic living and learning experience for all members of our community. University Advancement is seeking exceptional talent to join our mission-driven team working together toward our shared vision for Villanova, fueled by the generosity of the University’s philanthropic supporters as we “keep moving” in the spirit of St. Augustine in the public phase of Villanova’s comprehensive capital campaign: Espiritus Nova.

Villanova University Advancement (UA) is organized in a semi-decentralized model, whereby College-based development teams report directly into UA and have a strong dotted line to the appropriate Dean. The Associate Dean for Development and Alumni, CWSL reports directly to the Assistant Vice President for Major Gifts, Academics and works in close collaboration with the Dean to executive all fundraising initiatives.

The Associate Dean for Alumni and Development serves as the Charles Widger School of Law (CWSL) chief advancement officer with overall responsibility to provide leadership direction and coordination to a comprehensive program designed to advance the School’s mission and goals. The Associate Dean is a key part of the Dean’s executive leadership team and works closely with the Dean to set a strategic direction for the School’s advancement efforts, which include establishing and implementing overall advancement strategy and ensuring the achievement of annual goals and objectives; preparing the overall development plan; designing, implementing and managing fundraising initiatives and annual, major, and planned gifts programs; and ensuring the development of an effective alumni relations program that includes broad representation from various alumni groups. The Associate Dean is responsible for coordination with the Office of University Advancement; for working collaboratively with colleagues within the CWSL and across the university; and for working in collaboration with the members of the School’s Board of Consultors and various alumni boards and affinity groups. The Associate Dean oversees four direct reports with fundraising, annual giving and donor relations, major gifts, and alumni relations responsibilities. The Associate Dean is responsible for a portfolio of 60-80 donor prospects.

Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Major Gifts: Plans, implements, and evaluates a major gifts plan for the CWSL, establishes priorities, activity and revenue goals, and develops relationships and programs to maximize revenue from Alumni, parents, and friends of CWSL. Successfully creates and manages a major gift portfolio of prospects actively bringing them toward major gift closure. Works closely with members of the central development staff to develop a comprehensive giving program for the college. Identifies, cultivates and solicits major gift prospects through face-to-face meetings to increase the level of private support of CWSL.
• Collaboration with the Dean CWSL: Supports the Dean with development activities, including travel and meetings with donors. Works in collaboration with colleagues in CWSL to provide high touch to CWSL’s key external constituents and donors, including oversight of the Board of Consultors. Oversees donor stewardship program for the Dean with key donors. Organizes and implements donor events and cultivation activities that include the Dean.
• Staff Management: In collaboration with the Dean, the Associate Dean manages, motivates and evaluates MGO’s and the Alumni Relations team who along with the Associate Dean, make-up the six person Advancement team in CWSL. Develops major gift strategies and revenue expectations, donor stewardship initiatives and special event plans to be implemented by appropriate staff members.
• Stakeholder Relations: Actively develops relationships with CWSL faculty and key staff to ensure positive internal and external stakeholder experiences and perceptions. Works with the Dean, MGOs, Dean’s Suite staff, externally focused CWSL faculty/staff, and University Communications to create effective development publications and presentations for the School. Develops and submits funding proposals for specific needs within the CWSL and on behalf of the Dean.
• Annual Giving and Planned Giving: Effectively and responsibly manages the development program for CWSL by working closely with the Executive Director of Annual Giving and the Director of Gift Planning in the central development office to ensure that annual giving and planned giving strategies are integrated into overall development mission.
• Coordinates with the AVPs for Major Gifts, Regional Program Directors, and other major gifts officers in the management and strategy of regional gift prospects, in conjunction with the central prospect management system.
• Serve as a member of the Dean’s cabinet, attending regular meetings to discuss the overall operations of the Law School.
• Performs additional duties and assist with special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Five to seven years experience in fundraising, with at least 3 years in major gifts required.
• Proven successful experience in individual fund raising required and in acquiring corporate and foundation funding desired.
• Experience in dealing with major gift prospects required.
• Commitment to higher education and a strong desire to associate with Villanova University and champion its mission required.
• Understanding of the University culture and the process for decision making and program development required.
• Ability and willingness to travel required. Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
• Comfort level working in a team oriented environment required, but also must be disciplined and result-oriented.
• The individual must have a deep commitment to the well-being of the Charles Widger School of Law and the University, a commitment to the University’s Catholic/Augustinian heritage, and the advancement of its mission, and to serving the needs of a diverse community.
• Knowledge of general office equipment, including use of lap top computers, required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree is strongly preferred.
• Strong preference for previous supervisory experience, specifically managing a fundraising team.
• Management/supervisory experience of high-performing teams preferred.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours

Ability to travel and work evenings and weekends required.

Salary Posting Information

Commensurate with experience.

How to apply

Apply now

Diversity and inclusion have been and will continue to be an integral component of Villanova University’s mission. The University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.