Connecticut’s flagship institution of higher education, the University of Connecticut enrolls more than 32,000 students across 14 schools and colleges. The University provides access to a top-quality education at its main campus in Storrs, four regional campuses, schools of Law and Social Work in Hartford, and the schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine at UConn Health in Farmington. It is ranked among the top 25 public universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
The UConn Foundation supports and promotes the educational, scientific, cultural, research, and recreational objectives of the University and UConn Health. It solicits private funds and drives quality change by providing quality programs and services for UConn’s alumni and supporters. In the most recent fiscal year, the Foundation recorded the highest fundraising total in its history for the second year in a row.
The Opportunity
The University of Connecticut Foundation seeks an inclusive, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as the next Senior Vice President for Advancement (SVPA). Reporting directly to the President and CEO of the Foundation, the SVPA will lead a team of more than 50 advancement professionals who bring experience, expertise, and tremendous pride in UConn and the work they do. As UConn prepares for the largest campaign in its history, this individual will be charged with ensuring a fully integrated advancement team remains focused on the strategic initiatives and priorities outlined in the campaign goals. They will harness the potential and energy of an organization that has been evolving and growing to unprecedented levels of achievement in recent years.
The SVPA will be a leader in the field and bring a track record of success in developing and leading best-in-class programs in the fields of alumni relations, development, campaign planning, and donor relations. They must bring strong communication and leadership skills as well as experience navigating and being successful in complex organizations, leading a comprehensive campaign planning process, and managing a small portfolio of high-net-worth individuals. Additionally, this person should have experience working closely with a highly engaged and dedicated volunteer board as well as a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Strategic use of data and analytics are a key component of the Foundation’s operations so the SVPA must have experience working in organizations that place an emphasis on planning and decision-making rooted in data.
