Associate Dean of Development

Vanderbilt University School of Engineering (VUSE) seeks an ambitious and strategic leader to serve as its next associate dean of development. Joining the school in tandem with its inspiring new dean, Dr. Krishnendu “Krish” Roy, this leader will craft and execute fundraising strategies in support of a compelling vision for the School of Engineering’s impactful next era, centering diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the school’s work, from faculty and student recruiting to enhancing Vanderbilt’s role as a leader of inclusivity-driven engineering. VUSE’s associate dean will be a key leader in Vanderbilt University’s Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) team, a dynamic division that has recently reinvented itself and is growing in team size, fundraising results, and innovation within the industry. 

Founded in 1886, the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering is internationally recognized for the superior quality of its research and education programs. VUSE fosters strong partnerships inside the university and with its research peers. The combination of innovative and interdisciplinary research, commitment to undergraduate and graduate education, and active collaboration with the distinguished Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) creates an invigorating atmosphere for faculty members, research staff, and graduate and undergraduate students. VUSE has experienced significant and strategic faculty growth in recent years, expanding the tenure-stream faculty from 89 in 2015 to 115 in 2021 and non-tenure track faculty from 52 to 78 during the same period. Notably, there will be opportunity for continued growth among the faculty ranks, building on the institution-wide strategic priority, Destination Vanderbilt, to recruit new faculty who are leaders and rising stars in their fields across the university. 

Serving as the chief fundraiser and unit manager overseeing a talented team of six, the associate dean of development will work collaboratively to enhance VUSE’s relationship-building efforts with its highest-level donors and prospects. The university has just publicly launched a $3.2 billion campaign, the largest ever in Vanderbilt’s history; VUSE has an ambitious $210 million unit goal and has raised $171 million towards that goal to date. This is an exceptional opportunity for a high-performing fundraiser and manager, acting as a player-coach to lead the team to build a culture of philanthropy across the school. The associate dean will establish and track progress toward VUSE’s fundraising goals in collaboration with other DAR teams, Annual Giving, Planned Giving, and the parents program. They will engage the VUSE Board of Visitors, and the school’s campaign cabinet, and similarly develop and draw on committees and councils of alumni, industry, and other constituents who engage philanthropically with VUSE.

The successful candidate will be intellectual and socially curious, possessing extraordinary communication and emotional intelligence. The associate dean of development will have the political savvy and flexibility to navigate a complex academic community, and the desire and ability to build bridges and strong working relationships with all members of the operation. They will be a collaborative and innovative leader with a comprehensive knowledge of all major advancement functions and substantial strategic planning experience; personal success securing major and principal gifts; and the proven ability to motivate and engage both internal and external stakeholders. 

While there is a preference for the associate dean of development for the School of Engineering to be based in Nashville, this may be a remotely located position with regular travel to Nashville to build strong working relationships and collaborations with colleagues across VUSE, DAR, and Vanderbilt University. 

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications (including CVs and two- to three-page letters of interest responding to the opportunities, challenges, and qualifications outlined above) should be submitted electronically below.

Kennedy Kearney-Fischer is leading this search with Karen McPhedran, Karson Freeman, and Henry Nickerson.

Vanderbilt University has a strong institutional commitment to recruiting and retaining an academically and culturally diverse community of faculty. Minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups, in particular, are encouraged to apply. Vanderbilt is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.