Associate Vice President of Development (Schools/Colleges)

Req# 10003883

The Associate Vice President of Development (Assoc VP) supports the Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations (VP) in identifying and implementing strategies for success in securing significant philanthropic support for George Mason University. The Assoc VP oversees professional fundraising staff. This position co-manages the school/college development staff along with the Deans.

The position reports directly to the Vice President for Advancement & Alumni Relations and is a member of a senior management team.

The Assoc VP will work closely with the University President, Provost, VP, academic and administrative leadership in translating University priorities into compelling proposals and fundraising initiatives that attract giving and alumni participation. This individual will provide service and leadership to the George Mason University community by developing and leading high performing teams, acting as a strategic partner in developing, managing, and sustaining relationships with key partners, and will contribute to the implementation of a strategic vision for a highly effective philanthropy program at George Mason University.

This position is expected to work non-routine hours in order to successfully achieve goals and objectives, and travel as necessary.

Responsibilities:
Leadership and Coaching:

• Manages George Mason University's philanthropy program, including recruitment, orientation, mentoring, and fundraising activities;
• Provides leadership and staff oversight for fundraising professionals;
• Coordinates and facilitates development colleagues, faculty, Deans, unit directors, volunteers, administration and staff;
• In collaboration with the VP and Deans, develops and implements plans, monitors and reports progress towards goals;
• Develops and maintains strong, positive, rapport with unit leadership;
• Works with direct reports and their respective teams on strategic planning efforts;
• Manages a team of fundraising professionals and maintains a personal portfolio of prospects with multi-disciplinary interests within a high-performance, metrics-based team environment;
• Trains, coaches, and mentors team members in best fundraising and operational practices;
• Fosters a culture of collaboration and communication with academic leaders;
• Ensures adoption and effective use of strategic tools and resources; and
• Serves as a strategic partner to Advancement Operations in the recruitment, retention, development, and engagement of development team members.

Revenue Responsibility:

• Builds, develops, and manages a small individual portfolio of prospects/donors focusing on major and principal gifts;
• Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards donors for the purpose of securing gifts/grants;
• Maximizes support of key university priorities across all academic units;
• Identifies and cultivates prospect leads in industry to support academic programs and presidential priorities with the goal of securing multiple new six and seven-figure contributions;
• Provides stewardship to existing donors and secures ongoing renewed support;
• Builds and nurtures effective working relationships with alumni, parents, friends, volunteers, and team members; and
• Partners with colleagues and direct reports to elevate gift strategies on all prospects.

Strategic Planning/Collaboration and Communication:

• Works closely with internal and external partners to promote and solicit funding from viable prospects;
• Must be inclusive, collaborative, and demonstrate exceptional oral and written communication skills;
• Clearly articulates fundraising goals;
• Conducts research and maintains in-depth knowledge of all University policies and priorities;
• Participates in structured sessions with colleagues inclusive of Deans and VPs;
• Leads proactive collaborative efforts to develop effective and coordinated strategies for prospects shared by more than one academic unit;
• Creates and executes events and activities for cultivation, stewardship, and solicitations to advance principal gifts;
• Serves as a strategist responsible for setting organizational priorities that strengthen the donor pipeline;
• Stays abreast of industry standards, trends, breakthroughs, and best practices;
• Implements changes accordingly to maintain competitiveness among peers and to grow the philanthropic impact at the university;
• Coordinates the university’s relationships with businesses, industry leaders, national organizations, and other private entities; and
• Advises senior management team and staff.

Reporting and Analysis/Stewardship and Donor Management:

• Provides thoughtful, consistent, and appropriate stewardship;
• Maintains current and accurate internal records of corporate donor relationships and interactions through the donor/prospect database;
• Writes and submits proposals directly or via staff;
• Participates in regular Development meetings to share updates of activities;
• Enters all development activity in the database system in an accurate and timely manner;
• Arranges and participates in visits with University leadership;
• Develops and coordinates reports as required to industry partners; and
• Utilizes donor database for reporting/analysis that measures progress against department goals.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Extensive (typically ten or more years) development experience in higher education;
• Proven track record and experience in leadership and management of Advancement and Alumni Relations professionals within a complex organization;
• Significant (typically seven years) managerial experience of fundraisers, typically in large, complex institutions;
• Success working on teams to develop high-level gift agreements with funding opportunities across disciplines;
• Requires broad practical and substantive expertise across multiple related disciplines;
• Experience with fundraising database and knowledge of prospecting tools and reports within fundraising systems or other prospective donor relations systems;
• Demonstrated understanding of and success in advancement and philanthropy, their best practices, and in managing and mentoring front line development directors;
• Proven track record of soliciting and closing gifts, including complex and blended gifts from individuals, in the six and seven-figure range, preferably at a college or university;
• Demonstrated leadership skills with an ability to inspire staff and volunteers to achieve and surpass goals and objectives;
• Ability to develop strong presence in the community through effective networking, planning, and execution of fundraising strategies;
• Demonstrated ability to identify and implement strategic fundraising solicitation strategies in support of strategic initiatives;
• Demonstrate the ability to manage time and workload to multitask and achieve goals in a deadline driven environment;
• Proficiency in the utilization and application of data and analytics as a tool to inform donor strategy;
• Excellent computer skills including database management and proven understanding and proficiency with CRMs;
• High level of integrity, trustworthiness, and a record of working collaboratively across organizations to meet shared goals;
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software;
• Advanced skills in project management and budget;
• A high degree of integrity, drive, and persuasiveness – a self-starter who leads by example and measures success by results;
• Superior writing, oral communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent flexibility and adaptability skills with a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate large responsibility and multiple priorities; and
• Ability to work within a team framework and manage teams and projects.

Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Associate Vice President of Development (Schools/Colleges) at https://jobs.gmu.edu/  Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review. For best consideration, please apply by March 25, 2026.

George Mason University has retained Opus Partners to support this recruitment. Kenna Boyd, Partner, and Abigail Maynard, Managing Associate, are leading the search. Inquiries and nominations should be sent to [email protected]  The search process will unfold with the greatest possible attention to candidate confidentiality.

If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at https://jobs.gmu.edu/!

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.