Vice President, Advancement & Strategic Partnerships

Position Purpose

The Vice President, Advancement & Strategic Partnerships serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Council and provides executive leadership for Gateway Technical College's integrated resource-development strategy. Working in close partnership with the President, this leader advances Gateway's mission by cultivating philanthropic investment, strengthening strategic partnerships, expanding alumni engagement, leading strategic grants, and enhancing the College's reputation through integrated marketing and communications, including the College's radio station. As Gateway's inaugural Vice President, this position joins the College at a formative moment and serves as a systems-building executive leader responsible for strengthening institutional relationships, resources, reputation, and long-term regional impact.

Key Executive Responsibilities

• Lead Gateway's integrated resource-development strategy
• Align philanthropy, strategic grants, alumni engagement, strategic partnerships, and marketing and communications with institutional priorities
• Develop and steward enterprise-level institutional partnerships
• Mobilize philanthropic and grant resources that advance Gateway's mission
• Build Gateway's long-term reputation, visibility, and public trust
• Connect Gateway's strengths and priorities with regional opportunities
• Coordinate advancement strategy across executive leaders, the Foundation Board, and external partners

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in communications, marketing, advancement, nonprofit leadership, business, public administration, higher education leadership, organizational leadership, or a related field
• Substantial progressively responsible executive leadership experience in advancement, philanthropy, strategic partnerships, marketing and communications, higher education, nonprofit leadership, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated experience leading professional teams and coordinating complex initiatives across organizational boundaries
• Experience leading or supporting comprehensive institutional resource development involving philanthropy, strategic grants, strategic partnerships, marketing and communications, and executive collaboration
• Demonstrated executive leadership across several of the following areas: philanthropy, Foundation leadership, strategic partnerships, strategic grants, alumni engagement, marketing and communications, Board relations, organizational development, and resource development
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategies aligned with institutional priorities and measurable outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with diverse internal and external constituencies
• Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, facilitation, and presentation skills
• Demonstrated judgment in handling confidential, sensitive, high-profile, and reputational matters
• Demonstrated commitment to student success, inclusive excellence, ethical leadership, and the mission of technical and community colleges

Preferred Qualifications

• Executive-level experience in higher education, a public institution, a nonprofit organization, or a complex mission-driven organization
• Experience working directly with a governing or Foundation Board
• Experience with comprehensive fundraising, major gifts, institutional campaigns, or Foundation development
• Experience providing executive oversight for integrated marketing and communications
• Experience leading cross-sector partnerships, regional initiatives, collaborative networks, or other complex initiatives requiring shared leadership across organizational boundaries
• Experience building or expanding an alumni-engagement program
• Familiarity with the educational, workforce, philanthropic, and community environment of southeastern Wisconsin

Conditions of Employment

• Work Authorization: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available.
• Background Check: Employment is contingent upon an acceptable background check.
• Schedule: This executive role may require participation in institutional, Board, donor, alumni, community, evening, and weekend events.

Reports To: President
Division: Executive Leadership Council
Compensation: $166,982–$172,578 annually
Posting Closes: August 28, 2026