Assistant Vice President for Development

The Assistant Vice President for Development (AVP) works collaboratively to develop, implement and achieve strategic plans for increasing private support; provides leadership and direction for major gifts, corporate and foundation gifts, planned giving, and other central development areas; is directly involved in the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of gifts; effectively communicates in the mission and values of the university; has a working knowledge of current best practices in all aspects of fund raising; and collaborates with colleagues in the Foundation and across the campus.

• Leads, plans, directs, and manages the activities, training and evaluation of central development programs, including the Office of Annual Giving and a team of major gift officers encompassing the following areas: Regional Development, Office of Corporate & Foundation Relations, Principal Gifts, Athletics and the Office of Estate & Planned Giving, in support of annual goals and campaigns.
• Assists in the creation and direction of fundraising strategy, philosophy, and methodology for the institution.
• Leads the development and direction of new fundraising programs and initiatives.
• Creates and executes cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for major gift prospects and donors.
• Maintains a portfolio. Primarily raises major gifts from $1M and above. Regularly raises from $50,000 to multimillions through personal solicitation from major gift prospects, including alumni, friends, corporations and/or foundations.
• Develops strong positive relationships with the university community and partners.
• Supports, trains and coordinates the activities of key leadership volunteers (Foundation Trustees, campaign committee members and volunteers, etc.).Works closely with University Deans and Executive Officer.
• Develops and stewards personal relationships among alumni and donors with the institution. Determines which alumni, friends, corporations and foundation should be approached for major gifts.
• Keeps abreast of current best practices in the Development profession and evaluates new and emerging ideas for potential implementation.
• Helps develop and administer policies related to fundraising and gift stewardship in collaboration with the FIU Foundation.
• Drafts and reviews written proposal for major gifts. Prepares gift agreements and guidelines.
• Prepares reports and presentations and presents to volunteer groups re: campaign activities and progress.
• Participates in the recruitment, selection, hiring and training of development direct reports. Manages staff development including setting of performance standards and expectations, training, mentoring, and ongoing performance management and evaluation.