Vice President for University Advancement, Dominican University (River Forest)

Vice President for University Advancement, Dominican University

Dominican University, a Catholic HSI, is a comprehensive teaching university located in River Forest, a suburb of Chicago, with a total enrollment over 3,900 students. The University was designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution in 2011, with 53% of undergraduates first generation in college, 68% female, 52% Latine, and 6% Black/African-American. Dominican University’s mission is to prepare students to participate in the creation of a more just and humane world. Toward that end, the university is committed to building a culturally diverse educational environment.

Position Overview

The Vice President for Advancement serves as a key member of the President's Cabinet and is responsible for the strategic leadership and oversight of all university advancement functions, including campaign and major gift fundraising, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, stewardship, and advancement administration, as well as alumnae/i relations and special events. Working closely with the President, Cabinet, academic deans, and the Board of Trustees, the Vice President aligns strategic and philanthropic priorities, building best-in-class advancement systems, processes, and policies to support Dominican University’s mission and growth. A passion for the Catholic Dominican mission of the university and the ability to mobilize alumnae/I and other donors in the service of that mission are keys to success and job satisfaction.

The next Vice President will have the opportunity to shape the future of advancement at Dominican and lead the planning and execution of the next comprehensive campaign. With a focus on Dominican’s newly established Chicago campus, the Vice President will champion building and guiding robust fundraising initiatives vital to supporting the campus’s growth and impact. Harnessing the momentum of this expansion, the Vice President will collaborate closely with campus leaders to craft targeted strategies that unlock the philanthropic potential within the Chicago metropolitan area. A primary objective will be to drive increased donor engagement and secure significant investments to provide the Chicago campus with the financial foundation needed to achieve its bold aspirations.

This role requires a deep commitment to strengthening operational capacities within the advancement division, implementing results-oriented fundraising plans, and developing high-impact alumnae/I engagement strategies. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong aptitude for data driven decision-making, using a constituent relationship management (CRM) system to build a robust pipeline of major and principal gifts and to enhance donor engagement, efficiency, and accountability.

Salary Range

The salary range for the position is $200,000 - $240,000.

How To Apply

Review of applications will begin on January 8, 2025, and continue until an appointment is made. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration. Application materials must include:

1. Letter of interest, which addresses the applicant's qualifications for, and interest in, the position.
2. Current resume.
3. Names, email and business addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three references.

Applications and nominations may be sent to:

Pam Spencer
Senior Consultant, Gonser Gerber LLP

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