Vice President of University Advancement

California State University, Chico (Chico State) seeks a highly strategic, collaborative, and results-oriented advancement leader to serve as the next Vice President for University Advancement and CEO of the University Foundation (VP/CEO). The VP/CEO will design and lead an era of innovation in Chico State’s fundraising, engagement, and visibility efforts, galvanizing alumni, parents, friends, and the broader community to position, elevate, and advance the University at an exciting time. 

Operating as part of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) System, which educates the most ethnically, economically, and academically diverse student body in the nation, Chico State is a comprehensive and residential public university with the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation. The University enrolls nearly 15,000 students, with close to 48% identifying as first-generation college students. Founded in 1887, Chico State is the second-oldest campus in the CSU system and is the anchor institution for Northern California. Situated on a beautiful 132-acre campus—designated as an arboretum—Chico State is located near the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, approximately 90 minutes north of the state capitol, Sacramento, and a three-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area. Chico State provides students with a small college town, residential campus experience and boasts an active and engaged student body, high-quality research experiences, exceptional faculty mentoring, and civic and global engagement opportunities for undergraduates and graduate students alike.

The incoming VP/CEO will join Chico State as it embarks on a new chapter following the recent release of its new strategic plan framework by President Steve Perez. This is an exceptional opportunity to partner with a committed and energetic president and actively engage the University’s executive leadership team, deans, and other senior leaders to build upon Chico State’s notable upward trajectory to elevate the University’s visibility, institutional growth, and philanthropic support to unprecedented heights. 

As a critical member of President Perez’s cabinet, the VP/CEO will serve as the chief development and engagement officer, overseeing Chico State’s expansive development (i.e., individual, annual fund, planned giving, and corporate and foundation relations), alumni engagement, public engagement, and strategic marketing and communications enterprise. Providing direction to a 57-member team, including eight direct reports, the VP/CEO will craft a vision and strategic plan to meet the University’s fundraising aspirations, identify and leverage new corporate and foundation support, enhance its unique brand and marketability to support enrollment growth and elevate its reputation, and ensure consistent engagement and outreach to all constituents, with an emphasis on deepening relationships between Chico State and the regional business communities. 

The next VP/CEO will build upon the success of Chico State's advancement program by implementing best practices, optimizing team culture and performance, building donor capacity and commitment, bringing fresh ideas that respond to the evolving nature of philanthropy, and applying data-driven outreach and fundraising strategies that increase the impact and effectiveness of the advancement enterprise. Additionally, the VP/CEO guides and supports the University Foundation’s Board, advising on a range of decisions including those impacting the University’s endowment. The successful candidate will lead by example and maintain an active fundraising portfolio. The VP/CEO must be an exceptional storyteller with remarkable communication and listening skills, including creating compelling cases for support and building genuine relationships with Chico State’s broad range of internal and external constituencies. 

The ideal candidate will have served in progressive leadership roles for an advancement or marketing organization, preferably in higher education or a similar complex setting, and have a clear track record of significant personal success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship at principal gift levels. This individual must have demonstrated success in or potential for foundation management. They must possess strong managerial, strategic planning, and motivational skills, along with a keen understanding of best practices in fundraising, engagement, marketing, and communications, as well as comprehensive knowledge of major development, alumni engagement functions, including campaign and volunteer management. This leader will excel at mobilizing a talented staff and facilitating team success. They must be collaborative, creative, and adaptable to complex environments where efficient resource management is critical. The successful candidate will embody Chico State’s core values of respect, empathy, and integrity, in addition to demonstrating a deep appreciation and passion for its mission, goals, and unique qualities. A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred. 

Rachel Ellenport is leading this search with Christina Garrison and Megan Gorman.

California State University, Chico employs only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States.  California State University, Chico is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Americans with Disabilities Act employer.