Baylor University - Vice President, University Advancement

Baylor University, a private Christian university and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution, seeks a vice president for university advancement (VPUA) to build upon a tremendous foundation of success. Under the leadership of the University’s president, Linda A. Livingstone Ph.D., Baylor continues to thrive and to advance its reputation, taking its place among the most exceptional universities in the United States with an unwavering commitment to student learning and success.

The University has experienced a dramatic expansion of fundraising results, alumni and donor communications, and alumni outreach programming. These achievements came during the penultimate year of fundraising for Give Light, Baylor’s comprehensive philanthropic campaign that has seen more than $1.39 billion given to support the University’s endowment, capital priorities, and current funds. Since the start of the Give Light campaign, 95,500 donors have contributed to Baylor’s capital, endowment, and current use priorities.

Reporting directly to the president and serving as a member of the President’s Council, the vice president for university advancement will be a critical player on the senior management team and will have the opportunity to make a direct, personal impact on Baylor’s future. The VPUA will join Baylor at an ideal time. The momentum for philanthropy is strong, a culture of philanthropy has emerged and is taking hold, and there remain many untapped prospects with capacity.

Partnering closely with the president, board members, senior administration, deans, faculty, and staff, the VPUA will create a strategic vision and plan for the next phase of advancement which will include designing, planning, and leading a new fundraising campaign. This person will also capture the current energy and support for the division and continue to build a culture of philanthropy. The vice president will provide leadership for a dedicated and cohesive unit of 100+ staff and engage them in the shared goals of advancement and the University as a whole.

The ideal VPUA will be a strong collaborator who will foster partnerships across the university and identify, engage, and cultivate future and current donors in support of university-wide advancement efforts. The successful candidate will be an experienced development professional with a record of success leading an effective organization, planning and executing a major campaign, raising major and principal gifts, managing staff, and building programs.

He or she will have a deep personal faith and will also be a strong university citizen and person of unquestionable integrity with a strong commitment to Baylor’s mission, the ideals of Christian higher education, and the best traditions of the advancement profession. A bachelor’s degree is required, with an advanced degree preferred, and experience in a comparably complex setting is preferred.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the Leadership Profile.

WittKieffer is assisting Baylor University in this search. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Application materials should be submitted to WittKieffer’s candidate portal using the buttons below.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: Mercedes Chacón Vance, Greg Duyck, and Ashlee Winters Musser at BaylorVPUA@wittkieffer.com.

The mission of Baylor University is to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.

Baylor University is a private not-for-profit university affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, Baylor is committed to compliance with all applicable anti-discrimination laws, including those regarding age, race, color, sex, national origin, military service, genetic information, and disability. Baylor’s commitment to equal opportunity and respect of others does not undermine the validity and effect of the constitutional and statutory protections for its religious liberty, including, without limitation, the religious organization exemption under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the religious exemption to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, among others. Baylor encourages women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

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