Chief Advancement Officer - Moss Arts Center & University Libraries

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is the chief fundraiser for the Moss Arts Center and University Libraries (the areas) and has responsibility for planning and implementing a comprehensive development program for both areas. The Chief Advancement Officer will solicit philanthropic gifts from patrons and friends of the Center, the Library, and alumni/friends of Virginia Tech who align with strategic priorities of the areas.

Jointly reporting to the Associate Vice President of Advancement, the Associate Provost for the Arts and Executive Director, Moss Arts Center, and the Dean of University Libraries, the Chief Advancement Officer will:

Travel, on average, five to eight days per month to cultivate, solicit, steward, and identify prospects for the areas as well as for overall top university campaign priorities.

Have a portfolio of approximately 100 - 125 prospects.

Have a typical solicitation range of $100,000 to $1,000,000.

Close $2,000,000 per year using a three-year rolling average.

Close on average 10-13 major gifts per fiscal year.

Provide management oversight of the Assistant Director of Advancement for Leadership Gifts in the Moss Arts Center.

Develop and implement cultivation, solicitation, and engagement strategies that include building, managing, and soliciting a portfolio of major gift prospects for University Libraries and Moss Arts Center patrons and friends community for annual leadership gifts. In conjunction with the Associate Provost for the Arts and Executive Director, support the Moss Arts Partners donor board and its fundraising committee. In addition, support the Library Dean’s Advisory Board in collaboration with the Dean of University Libraries.

Establish strong working relationships with central advancement, collegiate and constituent development officers and the team and staff of the areas, as well as the broader University Advancement Division to foster a productive working environment.

Provide leadership, vision, and oversight for creating and implementing a comprehensive development function for the areas within the broader framework of the Advancement Division at Virginia Tech.

Serve as a member of the area’s leadership teams, as well as that of the College and Unit team within the Advancement Division.

Master's degree or Bachelor's degree with significant and progressively responsible fundraising and leadership experience.

Demonstrated successful record of accomplishments in leadership annual giving or in major gift fundraising.

Demonstrated capability to both motivate professional staff and deploy strategic volunteers.

Must have demonstrated, analytical, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.

Strong motivation and the proven ability to work well as a contributing team member and leader within a complex organization requiring collaboration, teamwork and communication.

Willingness to travel regionally and nationally, including overnight and weekends.

Demonstrated relevant change management experience.

Experience working within major comprehensive campaigns, including goal setting and implementation.

Demonstrated appreciation of the range of disciplines represented in the performing and visual arts.

Demonstrated successful record of accomplishment in higher education or arts organization major gift fundraising with progressively complex strategies.

Relevant certification such as CFRE or nonprofit management certification.

Experience with cultural institutions.

N/A

Regular

Commensurate with Experience

1/23/23

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.