Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Saint Peter’s University (SPU, Saint Peter’s, or the University) seeks an entrepreneurial, community-centered, and deeply experienced advancement leader to serve as its next Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Strategic Engagement (Vice President, VPIA). One of 27 Jesuit institutions of higher education in the United States, SPU was founded in 1872 and serves the most diverse student body of all Jesuit higher education institutions in the nation. SPU’s founding mission around social mobility – to prepare students of all backgrounds to be leaders in their individual lives and broader communities – is more relevant than ever and offers a powerful narrative platform from which to advocate for institutional resources and wide-ranging philanthropic engagement.

Reporting to the President, the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Strategic Engagement serves as the chief advancement officer for Saint Peter’s University. This pivotal leadership role is responsible for strategically envisioning and directing all advancement functions to secure significant philanthropic support and foster strong alumni and donor engagement. The Vice President will spearhead capital campaigns, cultivate and solicit major and principal gifts, oversee annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, leadership and planned giving, advancement operations (CRM, reporting, analytics, prospect research and management), and alumni and donor engagement. Collaborating closely with Cabinet colleagues and the Board of Trustees, the Vice President will champion a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence in fundraising to achieve overarching institutional goals. 

Rooted in the Jesuit Catholic tradition, the Vice President ensures that all advancement efforts reflect and reinforce the University's values of cura personalis (care for the whole person), service, social justice, and the pursuit of academic excellence. The successful candidate will assess institutional needs, serve as a trusted advisor to the president, and chart the course of the institution’s advancement strategic plan. An exemplary external representative for SPU among a variety of audiences, the VPIA will help to scaffold and sustain the required infrastructure to bolster long-term, sustainable philanthropic success.

In particular, the next Vice President will: 

• Craft and execute upon a compelling and competitive vision for the future of Saint Peter’s strategic advancement.
• Develop and lead future institutional fundraising campaigns.
• Embrace and advance the Jesuit tradition that is integral to Saint Peter’s core identity.
• Recruit, retain, and develop top-notch advancement staff.
• Ensure the University’s future financial strength and stability by cultivating a culture of community and philanthropic engagement.
• Partner across the institution to scale alumni giving.

The University has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm. All expressions of interest from qualified candidates are encouraged. Inquiries, nominations, and applications can be directed in confidence to the firm, as indicated below.

COMPENSATION AND LOCATION

Saint Peter’s University is located in Jersey City, NJ.

The expected salary range will be in the low to mid $200,000s.

APPLICATIONS, INQUIRIES, AND NOMINATIONS

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent below.

Phillip Petree is leading this search with Afi Tettey-Fio. 

Saint Peter's University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and desires to ensure that faculty, students, and staff members from underrepresented and marginalized populations are an integral part of the life and governance of the institution.