Wayne State University (WSU) seeks a communicative, strategic, and collaborative Associate Vice President, Major and Planned Giving (AVP) to lead a dynamic team of fundraising professionals during a time of considerable forward momentum. As Michigan’s only urban research university and the third largest and most diverse university in the state, WSU is proud to hold the highest Carnegie Foundation ratings for both research intensiveness and community engagement. For more than 150 years, Wayne State has remained a steadfast partner in Detroit, engaging with the community and its people in ways that leave a lasting positive impact from educational access to research that solves real-world problems; from neighborhood service to workforce development; from economic innovation to public safety and social mobility. The diversity of people and cultures and the spirit and grit that animate them are mirrored in the university community.
The new AVP will join WSU at a time of excitement and energy as Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy was installed as University President in March 2024. Under her leadership, WSU will double-down on the university’s strengths: empowering social mobility, health equity, career agility, and the vibrancy of Detroit. WSU successfully completed the historic $776.5 million Pivotal Moments campaign in 2018 and is currently laying the groundwork for an ambitious $1 billion+ comprehensive campaign effort. With more than seventy percent of WSU alumni living locally in Southeast Michigan, the AVP will have ripe opportunity to ignite loyalty and pride in support of President Espy’s vision while playing a significant leadership role in achieving campaign success.
Reporting to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs, the AVP leads all planned giving efforts and individual major giving for all schools and colleges (except the School of Medicine), guiding a highly motivated and capable staff of 31 professionals with 11 direct reports. The AVP will serve on the Vice President’s senior team and will take an innovative yet purposeful approach to WSU’s fundraising initiatives for the schools and colleges to fund university priorities and enhance the university’s philanthropic support through major gifts and planned giving. The AVP will work internally and externally to accelerate strategic thinking and relationship building. The AVP will possess financial acumen and demonstrate expertise related to charitable giving, its financial vehicles and legal considerations.
The successful candidate is expected to have at least eight to twelve years of experience with a track record of conceiving and implementing strategies that have resulted in significant increases of philanthropic support and engagement. They should have a history of working collaboratively with academic and volunteer leaders and designing development plans. Strong management experience with diverse staff and volunteers is expected, as well as a track record of navigating a complex organization. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills are necessary, with a philosophy of teamwork and hands-on implementation. The AVP must have a strong, metrics-driven approach to their work and be able to set targets and goals for the major and planned giving team based on campaign objectives and as directed by university leaders. In accordance with its core values and mission, WSU is especially interested in recruiting members of diverse communities and individuals who will promote and uphold the values embodied within the university’s Mission Statement.
Application Instructions
Wayne State University has partnered with Talent Citizen to assist in this recruitment. Please contact President Tracy D. Welsh, Managing Associate Rachel K. Partin, and Associate José Cisneros to share your resume and cover letter via email at: wsu-avpmpg@talentcitizen.com.
Wayne State University provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. The university encourages applications from women, people of color, and other underrepresented people. Wayne State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
Information about WSU’s COVID-19 policies is available here.
