Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations

Howard University seeks an experienced and aspirational Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations to partner with its new president and continue the institutions remarkable fundraising trajectory over the last few years. This is a rare opportunity for a highly motivated and driven development professional to build off of the recent successes of Howard’s development and alumni relations team at a time when the mission and aspirations of Howard University are more important than ever.  Joining the University at a time where it has great momentum, the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations will effectively articulate the case for support to donors, prospective donors, and colleagues across the University and substantially increase philanthropic capacity.

Howard University welcomed Dr. Ben Vinson III as president in 2023. President Vinson joins Howard at a time when it is planning for its future following great successes in fundraising, research and student enrollment and achievement. Howard is unique in higher education as the only private, comprehensive, research-intensive, predominantly African American university in the country. Howard’s legacy of educating future African American leaders across the nation and around the globe is exceptional.

The Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations reports to President Vinson and is a member of the executive leadership team. Responsible for providing vision and strategic leadership for all aspects of University and medical center fundraising, the Vice President will oversee a staff of 31 within the Division of Development and Alumni Relations. As the lead fundraiser for the University, the Vice President will personally manage a select portfolio of major gift prospects and donors and will directly and personally participate in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of principal/major gifts donors.

The Vice President will be a strategic and creative thinker, a persuasive communicator, and an excellent team player eager to work collaboratively with academic and governing leadership and colleagues across campus. The Vice President will actively embrace and develop a keen understanding of the Howard community, engaging and inspiring all constituencies in ways that respect and honor the distinctive history, culture and mission of Howard. The Vice President and their team will build a cohesive, integrated advancement program to meaningfully engage alumni, increase philanthropic capacity, and raise the standing and reputation of the University nationally and globally.

Ideal candidates will have at least 10 years of executive leadership and management experience in advancement, preferably in higher education; a keen understanding of fundraising best practices; a proven ability to personally cultivate and steward high-level donors and close principal gifts; a clear, proven record of building an efficient, effective, and innovative development program in a complex university setting; and meaningful campaign experience.

Jack Gorman is leading this search with Kahn Lee and Ryan Cheung. 

Howard University considers applicants for employment without regard to and does not discriminate based on gender, race, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.