Vice President of University Advancement

Location: Houston, TX. Full‑time executive position. Requires 10+ years of experience and an undergraduate degree (master’s preferred). Base pay is salary‑based.

About the role

The Vice President of University Advancement (VPUA) leads the university’s advancement efforts, overseeing fundraising initiatives—including annual and capital campaigns—to support strategic priorities, current funding objectives, and long‑term growth. Reporting directly to the President, the VPUA works closely with the Board of Directors, senior leadership, volunteers, alumni, donors, and community partners to advance the university’s mission through fundraising, alumni and donor engagement, and community relations.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the President, Board, academic leaders, and senior staff to set fundraising priorities and strategies aligned with the university’s mission and strategic goals.
• Lead efforts to achieve fundraising goals, managing a portfolio of high‑level prospects and donors, and personally cultivating, soliciting, and securing major gifts.
• Expand the university’s philanthropic reach beyond Houston and Texas by identifying and engaging new prospective donors.
• Provide leadership for prospect research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, and develop compelling proposals, presentations, and materials.
• Oversee corporate and foundation fundraising strategies and identify partnership opportunities within the philanthropic community.
• Direct planning and execution of presidential, donor, and alumni events that support cultivation, engagement, stewardship, and fundraising objectives.
• Ensure effective use of the constituent relationship management system, including documentation of prospect activity and reporting.
• Collaborate with the Board Chair, Board of Directors, and volunteer leaders to maximize their engagement in fundraising priorities, including development of board and volunteer education opportunities.
• Work with the Development Committee and alumni association volunteers to strengthen alumni engagement and philanthropic support.
• Lead, develop, and manage the University Advancement staff, establishing departmental goals, performance expectations, and accountability measures.
• Mentor staff, provide professional growth opportunities, and ensure internal controls for accurate donor and gift records.
• Approve significant fundraising proposals, sponsorship materials, and advancement communications, and ensure timely submission of proposals, budgets, and reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; degree in communications, marketing, public relations, business administration, or related field preferred; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including significant management and leadership responsibility.
• Proven success cultivating, soliciting, and securing major gifts from diverse donors.
• Experience developing and executing capital campaigns, major fundraising initiatives, and donor engagement events.
• Higher‑education experience preferred; experience within a Catholic institution or familiarity with Catholic higher education is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with Boards of Directors, executive leadership, high‑level volunteers, donors, and other key stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, motivation, and team‑building skills in a high‑expectation environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Strategic and creative thinking, sound judgment, and ability to navigate complex situations and build consensus.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain organization.
• Excellent relationship‑building, negotiation, and conflict‑resolution abilities.
• Self‑motivated, results‑oriented, with a strong work ethic and record of leadership.
• Highest level of integrity, confidence balanced with humility, and commitment to building meaningful relationships.