George Mason University
Associate Vice President of Development (Schools/Colleges)
George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States, 22032
Overview
Associate Vice President of Development (Schools/Colleges) at George Mason University. The role supports the Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations in identifying and implementing strategies to secure significant philanthropic support. The Assoc VP oversees professional fundraising staff and co-manages the school/college development staff with Deans. The position reports to the Vice President for Advancement & Alumni Relations and is part of the senior management team. This role may require non-routine hours and travel as necessary. Hybrid eligible work arrangement is available; Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Department:
Advancement and Alumni Relations Classification:
Administrative Faculty Job Category:
Administrative or Professional Faculty Job Type:
Full-Time Work Schedule:
Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk) Location:
Fairfax, VA Criminal Background Check:
Yes Open Date:
September 22, 2025 For Full Consideration, Apply by:
October 22, 2025 Open Until Filled:
Yes About The Department
The University Advancement division is a comprehensive development and alumni relations enterprise with approximately 125 FTE. Functional units include development/fundraising, alumni relations, stewardship and donor relations, advancement communications, special events, gift processing, research, prospect management, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, information systems and management, and infrastructure services. The division aims to build lifelong relationships with Mason’s alumni and constituents, aligning philanthropic interests with university priorities. Core values include respect, service, integrity, collaboration, transparency, and creativity. About The Position
Supports the VP in securing significant philanthropic support for George Mason University. The Assoc VP oversees fundraising staff and co-manages school/college development staff with Deans. Reports to the VP for Advancement & Alumni Relations and is a member of the senior management team. Works with University leadership to translate priorities into fundraising initiatives, develops high-performing teams, and fosters strategic partnerships to grow the philanthropy program. Ability to work non-routine hours and travel as needed. Responsibilities
Leadership and Coaching
Manages Mason’s philanthropy program, including recruitment, orientation, mentoring and fundraising activities. Provides leadership and staff oversight for fundraising professionals. Coordinates development efforts with colleagues, Deans, unit directors, volunteers, administration and staff to solicit support for strategic priorities. Collaborates with the VP and Deans to develop plans, monitor progress toward goals, and increase fundraising effectiveness. Maintains positive relationships with unit leadership to ensure participation and effective reporting systems. Works on strategic planning with direct reports to establish performance goals and metrics. Manages a team of fundraising professionals and maintains a portfolio of prospects with multidisciplinary interests. Trains, coaches and mentors team members in best fundraising and operational practices. Fosters collaboration between academic leaders, units, and central fundraising services. Ensures adoption of strategic tools and resources (e.g., CRM, prospect management, research). Serves as a strategic partner to Advancement Operations in recruitment, retention, development, and engagement of staff. Revenue Responsibility
Builds and manages a portfolio focusing on major and principal gifts. Identifies, cultivates, solicits and steward donors for university priorities. Establishes long-term relationships and collaborates with administration, faculty and program staff to secure support. Maximizes support across all academic units and seeks six- to seven-figure gifts where appropriate. Provides donor stewardship and renewal of support; collaborates to build multidimensional donor relationships. Leads with alumni, parents, volunteers and staff to elevate gift strategies. Strategic Planning/Collaboration and Communication
Promotes and solicits funding from viable prospects with internal and external partners. Demonstrates exceptional oral and written communication and articulates fundraising goals aligned with Advancement objectives. Conducts research and stays informed of University policies and priorities. Leads collaborative prospect identification, engagement, strategy development, proposal development, solicitation and follow-up. Coordinates multi-unit prospect strategies and drives action plans. Manages events for cultivation, stewardship, and solicitations of principal gifts. Sets organizational priorities to strengthen donor pipelines and fundraising capacity; oversees performance metrics and analytics. Maintains knowledge of industry standards and best practices; adapts to maintain competitiveness. Coordinates relationships with businesses, industry leaders and partners to build philanthropic opportunities. Advises senior leadership to identify new opportunities for support. Reporting and Analysis/Stewardship and Donor Management
Provides stewardship with impact reports and accountability measures. Maintains internal donor records and relationships in the donor database. Writes proposals directly or via staff; participates in regular development meetings. Collaborates with Development staff to share best practices and challenges. Coordinates prospect research and proposal development activities and tracks cultivation, stewardship and solicitation. Enters all development activity in the database; oversees site visits with donors/prospects and University leadership as needed. Produces required reports and analyzes donor data to measure progress against goals. Required Qualifications
Master’s degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Extensive (ten+ years) development experience in higher education. Proven leadership/management experience within a complex Advancement/Alumni Relations organization. Significant (typically seven years) managerial experience of fundraisers in large institutions. Experience in high-level gift agreements across disciplines and with complex gifts. Broad practical expertise across related disciplines; proficiency with fundraising databases and reporting tools (e.g., Advance, Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce). Demonstrated success in advancement and philanthropy, mentoring staff, and closing six- to seven-figure gifts. Strong leadership, networking, and fundraising strategy development skills. Ability to multitask and manage time in a deadline-driven environment; data- and analytics-driven donor strategies. Excellent computer skills, including CRMs and data analysis; high integrity and collaborative approach. Superior writing, oral communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. Flexible, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to oversee multiple priorities within a team framework. Instructions To Applicants
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: abigail.maynard@opuspartners.net. To apply: https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Required materials: resume and cover letter. For best consideration, apply by October 22, 2025. The search process maintains candidate confidentiality. George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law. Equity Statement George Mason University is committed to inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected characteristics. Campus Safety Information The Mason Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/
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Associate Vice President of Development (Schools/Colleges) at George Mason University. The role supports the Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations in identifying and implementing strategies to secure significant philanthropic support. The Assoc VP oversees professional fundraising staff and co-manages the school/college development staff with Deans. The position reports to the Vice President for Advancement & Alumni Relations and is part of the senior management team. This role may require non-routine hours and travel as necessary. Hybrid eligible work arrangement is available; Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Department:
Advancement and Alumni Relations Classification:
Administrative Faculty Job Category:
Administrative or Professional Faculty Job Type:
Full-Time Work Schedule:
Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk) Location:
Fairfax, VA Criminal Background Check:
Yes Open Date:
September 22, 2025 For Full Consideration, Apply by:
October 22, 2025 Open Until Filled:
Yes About The Department
The University Advancement division is a comprehensive development and alumni relations enterprise with approximately 125 FTE. Functional units include development/fundraising, alumni relations, stewardship and donor relations, advancement communications, special events, gift processing, research, prospect management, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, information systems and management, and infrastructure services. The division aims to build lifelong relationships with Mason’s alumni and constituents, aligning philanthropic interests with university priorities. Core values include respect, service, integrity, collaboration, transparency, and creativity. About The Position
Supports the VP in securing significant philanthropic support for George Mason University. The Assoc VP oversees fundraising staff and co-manages school/college development staff with Deans. Reports to the VP for Advancement & Alumni Relations and is a member of the senior management team. Works with University leadership to translate priorities into fundraising initiatives, develops high-performing teams, and fosters strategic partnerships to grow the philanthropy program. Ability to work non-routine hours and travel as needed. Responsibilities
Leadership and Coaching
Manages Mason’s philanthropy program, including recruitment, orientation, mentoring and fundraising activities. Provides leadership and staff oversight for fundraising professionals. Coordinates development efforts with colleagues, Deans, unit directors, volunteers, administration and staff to solicit support for strategic priorities. Collaborates with the VP and Deans to develop plans, monitor progress toward goals, and increase fundraising effectiveness. Maintains positive relationships with unit leadership to ensure participation and effective reporting systems. Works on strategic planning with direct reports to establish performance goals and metrics. Manages a team of fundraising professionals and maintains a portfolio of prospects with multidisciplinary interests. Trains, coaches and mentors team members in best fundraising and operational practices. Fosters collaboration between academic leaders, units, and central fundraising services. Ensures adoption of strategic tools and resources (e.g., CRM, prospect management, research). Serves as a strategic partner to Advancement Operations in recruitment, retention, development, and engagement of staff. Revenue Responsibility
Builds and manages a portfolio focusing on major and principal gifts. Identifies, cultivates, solicits and steward donors for university priorities. Establishes long-term relationships and collaborates with administration, faculty and program staff to secure support. Maximizes support across all academic units and seeks six- to seven-figure gifts where appropriate. Provides donor stewardship and renewal of support; collaborates to build multidimensional donor relationships. Leads with alumni, parents, volunteers and staff to elevate gift strategies. Strategic Planning/Collaboration and Communication
Promotes and solicits funding from viable prospects with internal and external partners. Demonstrates exceptional oral and written communication and articulates fundraising goals aligned with Advancement objectives. Conducts research and stays informed of University policies and priorities. Leads collaborative prospect identification, engagement, strategy development, proposal development, solicitation and follow-up. Coordinates multi-unit prospect strategies and drives action plans. Manages events for cultivation, stewardship, and solicitations of principal gifts. Sets organizational priorities to strengthen donor pipelines and fundraising capacity; oversees performance metrics and analytics. Maintains knowledge of industry standards and best practices; adapts to maintain competitiveness. Coordinates relationships with businesses, industry leaders and partners to build philanthropic opportunities. Advises senior leadership to identify new opportunities for support. Reporting and Analysis/Stewardship and Donor Management
Provides stewardship with impact reports and accountability measures. Maintains internal donor records and relationships in the donor database. Writes proposals directly or via staff; participates in regular development meetings. Collaborates with Development staff to share best practices and challenges. Coordinates prospect research and proposal development activities and tracks cultivation, stewardship and solicitation. Enters all development activity in the database; oversees site visits with donors/prospects and University leadership as needed. Produces required reports and analyzes donor data to measure progress against goals. Required Qualifications
Master’s degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Extensive (ten+ years) development experience in higher education. Proven leadership/management experience within a complex Advancement/Alumni Relations organization. Significant (typically seven years) managerial experience of fundraisers in large institutions. Experience in high-level gift agreements across disciplines and with complex gifts. Broad practical expertise across related disciplines; proficiency with fundraising databases and reporting tools (e.g., Advance, Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce). Demonstrated success in advancement and philanthropy, mentoring staff, and closing six- to seven-figure gifts. Strong leadership, networking, and fundraising strategy development skills. Ability to multitask and manage time in a deadline-driven environment; data- and analytics-driven donor strategies. Excellent computer skills, including CRMs and data analysis; high integrity and collaborative approach. Superior writing, oral communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. Flexible, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to oversee multiple priorities within a team framework. Instructions To Applicants
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: abigail.maynard@opuspartners.net. To apply: https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Required materials: resume and cover letter. For best consideration, apply by October 22, 2025. The search process maintains candidate confidentiality. George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law. Equity Statement George Mason University is committed to inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected characteristics. Campus Safety Information The Mason Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/
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