Vice President, University Relations

Santa Clara University (SCU or Santa Clara), a distinguished, Jesuit Catholic institution of higher education located in the heart of Silicon Valley, seeks a strategic, creative, and mission-driven advancement leader to serve as its next Vice President, University Relations (VP). As a trusted thought partner to President Julie Sullivan, for whom advancing philanthropic success is a key priority, the incoming VP will build upon a strong foundation and leverage the deep affinity among the alumni community as the university elevates its advancement enterprise and aspires to even greater levels of excellence, visibility, and impact. 

Joining Santa Clara at a pivotal moment in its history, the VP will work collaboratively with President Sullivan, the executive leadership team, the Board of Trustees, and other volunteer leaders, deans, athletics, faculty, staff, and alumni to advance an ambitious agenda to fulfill the institution’s promise and potential to become the world’s leading Jesuit university. Building upon the success and momentum of Santa Clara’s recently completed, historic $1 billion campaign and fueled by the vision and aspirations set forth by Impact 2030: Santa Clara University’s Strategic Plan, the VP will drive University Relations to new levels of accomplishment and effectiveness through strategically assessing and leveraging existing philanthropic strengths and opportunities, applying strong organizational acumen, and implementing the necessary enhancements and refinements to the existing infrastructure to sustain a high-performing, best-in-class program. Key charges for the VP include expanding the individual and institutional donor pipeline at all giving levels and broadening the donor base, both domestically and internationally; enhancing engagement and participation among alumni, parents, and friends; sustaining and developing the next generation of an active and successful cohort of volunteers; building and integrating technology, data analytics, and data-informed decision-making throughout the division; and readying the University Relations enterprise for future fundraising ambitions and endeavors. 

The VP will play an important external role, bringing a thoughtful, energetic, and entrepreneurial approach to working in partnership with industry, community leaders, and donors. This individual will also identify opportunities to position President Sullivan to connect with philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and business leaders who are not currently engaged with the university, and maximize Santa Clara’s existing relationships in the Silicon Valley region, nation, and world to philanthropic gain. 

The VP will foster deeply productive and collaborative relationships with deans, senior faculty, administrators, and volunteer leaders, furthering the institution’s culture of philanthropy. As a vital member of the President’s Executive Council and Cabinet, the VP will contribute to and work closely with a team energized by several new university hires. The VP will be expected to provide meaningful input on the full range of issues facing the campus; hence, contemporary and comprehensive knowledge of higher education is highly desired. Critical to the VP’s success will be the ability to retain and recruit talent, and to expertly lead, inspire, and mobilize approximately 150 professionals spanning alumni relations, events, and development within a cohesive enterprise that prides itself on collaboration, achievement, and commitment to mission. Current investment in university relations is underway, including the expansion of the frontline fundraising team. 

This is an incredible opportunity for an accomplished and high-performing leader capable of building trust and generating excitement among the university’s external and internal constituencies to galvanize philanthropic investment at all levels in order to unlock Santa Clara’s full philanthropic potential. The successful candidate will be a highly ethical, self–assured, people- and results-oriented professional who appreciates and can leverage the power of the Bronco Family. The next VP will operate with a sense of urgency and humility, and will think strategically, analytically, and innovatively to transform Santa Clara’s aspirational initiatives into executable and enduring programs. The VP must be a superb storyteller with extraordinary skills that include crafting multiple compelling cases for support, and engaging and building authentic relationships with the university’s diverse community, connecting individuals not only to Santa Clara’s history, but also to its ambitious future. 

With at least 15 years of leadership experience in successful development operations, including a depth of experience working on billion-dollar-plus campaigns, the ideal candidate must possess a growth mindset; strong strategic planning, managerial, and motivational skills; a keen understanding of best practices in fundraising and a comprehensive knowledge of all major development and alumni relations functions; and a track record of significant personal success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship at major and principal gift levels. The ideal candidate will have proven success navigating a division through change and leading staff through the process of setting and achieving annual and long-range fundraising goals to support institutional and campaign priorities. The successful VP will embrace, embody, and be able to compellingly articulate the mission and Jesuit identity of Santa Clara through visionary leadership, inclusive collaboration, and a dedication to educating the whole person. A bachelor’s degree is required.

Rachel Ellenport is leading this search with Nicole Poe, Maureen Bogdan, and Megan Gorman. 

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer.