Vice President for Philanthropy

Are You Ready to Pursue Excellence? 

St. Thomas University (STU) seeks a full-time, exempt, cabinet-level position to serve as Vice President of Philanthropy. St. Thomas University offers competitive salaries and benefits along with a generous benefit package. We are looking for hard-working servant leaders ready to make a difference in the lives of our students. We look for Champions!

St. Thomas University (STU), a private, Catholic, non-profit institution, is located on a vibrant, 144-acre residential campus in Miami Gardens, Florida. As one of only eight Archdiocesan universities in the United States, STU is a mission-driven institution on an extraordinary trajectory. 

Under the leadership of President David A. Armstrong, J.D., since 2018, the University is experiencing unprecedented growth, with six consecutive years of record enrollment (and heading toward a seventh), historic fundraising success, and more than 450,000 square feet of new academic and athletic facilities. STU boasts national championship athletic teams, record-setting bar exam results, and a 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation from SACSCOC. In Fall 2025, our students will benefit from a new 545-bed residence hall that will bring our on-campus residential population to more than 1,300 students.

We are not just growing, we are transforming. With the support of the Board of Trustees and a 10-year contract extension for President Armstrong, STU is executing an ambitious new strategic vision grounded in one clear directive: Pursue Excellence. Our plan is bold: to become the Great Catholic University of the South, and to be counted among the Top 20 Catholic Universities in the nation.

 St. Thomas University offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, including doctoral degrees and a Juris Doctor, available both on campus and through distance learning. We have 31 athletic teams, a thriving student life culture, and a robust commitment to academic, co-curricular, and faith-based enrichment. Ranked #1 in Social Mobility among regional universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, and classified by Carnegie as an Opportunity College and University, STU empowers students to dramatically improve their economic trajectory in just ten years dramatically.

Come be part of our mission. Take part in our vision. Elevate students into ethical leaders.

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The incumbent serves as the Chief Advancement Officer for the University and advises the President on all matters of the management and operations of the University’s fundraising activities, donor relations, alum engagement, community relations, events, and grant development. The incumbent oversees all staff and administrators focused on fundraising and ‘friend-raising’ and ensures the efficient deployment of staff, technology, and operations to meet the University’s aggressive goals.

The Vice President of Philanthropy also assists the President with maintaining excellent Board relations. The Vice President works closely with the Board of Trustees, the governing and policy-setting board for the University. The Vice President serves as an ex-officio member of the Philanthropy and Nominating & Performance Review Committees of the Board. The Vice-President also assists with Stuwarding all the University’s Advisory Boards: Business, Science & Technology, Honors College, and Law. In addition, the Vice President helps to identify and recruit new members to the Board of Trustees.

In partnership with the President, the Vice President of Philanthropy engages the Board of Trustees through regular communication, committee work, fundraising campaigns, and utilizes them to help advance Strategic Priorities. S/he also works with the Philanthropy team and senior administration to create meaningful work for the Board’s committees. 

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Oversees all fundraising efforts of the University, including the annual fund, capital campaigns, alumni/ae relations, prospect research, new constituency development, grant writing, planned- giving, special and major gifts, strategy development for prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and the development and implementation of communications plans for all donor categories including Trustees, corporations, alumni/ae.
• Coordinates the efforts of the President, deans, senior staff, philanthropy team members, and board members to seek major gifts and endowments to support university programs and services.
• Establishes processes to reach and maintain contacts and records of donors/potential donors to cultivate, solicit, and acknowledge their support of the University.
• Works on corporate and strategic partnerships for the University and its programs. Provides progress reports to the President on the status of all fundraising activities.
• Supervises the preparation of grant proposals and research reports on all major gift prospects.
• Interviews and participates in selecting assigned staff; conducts performance appraisals and suggests professional development opportunities per university policies and procedures.
• Serves on University committees as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the University President.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: 

Supervision of a team of five or more personnel. 

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS/SPECIFICATIONS: 

• A bachelor's degree is required, and a master's degree in public relations, higher education administration, or a related area is preferred.
• Professional background should reflect at least ten years of progressively responsible and successful experience in the development area; experience with annual appeals and cultivating, stewarding, and securing major gifts (seven-figure plus) solicitations is required.
• Experience in launching and completing major capital campaigns.
• Experience in the college/university environment preferred.
• Previous experience must reflect work at the Associate Vice President/Vice President level or equivalent. 
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills are essential.  
• Ability to plan department goals and budget and manage funds supporting approved goals. 
• Ability to organize and direct major work projects.  
• Must be able to work under pressure and meet established deadlines.  
• Position requires travel and frequent irregular work hours, demanding a willingness to commit to evenings/weekends for special events and/or emergencies. 
• The successful candidate must possess an ethic of Honesty, Integrity, and Transparency, which are crucial characteristics for this role.