Rice University
Associate Vice President for Development
Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246
Associate Vice President for Development
3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Job Description To be considered for the Associate Vice President for Development opportunity at Rice University, please submit your resume and cover letter in confidence to WittKieffer at RiceAVPDevelopment@wittkieffer.com with the subject line: Associate Vice President for Development at Rice University.
Special Instructions to Applicants Submit your application materials as requested above.
About Rice Rice University is a 300‑acre campus in Houston, Texas, ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities. With a 6-to‑1 undergraduate‑to‑faculty ratio, Rice offers a residential college system that supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally. The university prides itself on a strong campus tradition of developing close‑knit, diverse communities and is highly regarded for quality of life and value among private institutions. Rice’s core values—Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence—guide all decisions and behaviors.
Position Summary Reporting to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, the Associate Vice President for Development provides leadership, evaluation, and mentoring to the individual‑giving program. The role coordinates efforts to maximize philanthropic support, serves as a primary contact for campus leadership, and manages the participation of deans and other university leaders in fundraising activities. As a senior member of the fundraising team, this person manages a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects at the $1M+ level while overseeing the frontline fundraising operation, including Annual Giving, Major Gifts, Gift Planning, and Parents fundraising programs. The position serves on the division’s leadership team and the campaign steering committee to advance donor experience and operational efficiency.
Ideal Candidate Statement The ideal candidate is a collaborative, strategic thinker with a proven record of leading development staff to set and achieve data‑driven fundraising goals. The candidate motivates, mentors, and advocates for talented staff to facilitate team success.
Workplace Requirements This hybrid role combines in‑office and remote work. Per Rice policy 440, arrangements may change. Must hold a valid Texas driver’s license with no more than three moving violations or at‑fault accidents in the past 36 months and no DWI or DUI convictions in the past five years.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree
7+ years of successful major‑gift (front‑line) fundraising experience
At least three years of experience leading a team of development professionals and working with deans, faculty, and senior administrators
Skills
Commitment to Rice University’s mission
Strong leadership and strategic management skills
Deep understanding of fundraising best practices
Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, verbal, and written communication skills
Ability to lead and motivate others
Capacity to manage many fundraising activities simultaneously
Skill in engaging and motivating diverse groups
Attention to detail and advanced problem‑solving
Organizational and time‑management proficiency
Creativity, initiative, and motivation
Ability to work under pressure and manage projects concurrently
Team orientation and leadership example
Independent work capability and collaborative teamwork to meet deadlines
Diplomatic judgment and contingency planning
Interest and commitment to sharing knowledge via training programs
Preferences
Master’s degree
8+ years of the experience specified above
5+ years of fundraising experience at higher education
Experience on a significant higher‑education fundraising campaign
Experience as a regional or school‑based fundraising officer
Good sense of humor and positive outlook
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
Proficiency with fundraising CRM and data‑driven orientation
Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification
Essential Functions Strategic Leadership and Team Development
Lead culture of philanthropy and performance excellence
Communicate Rice’s mission, vision, and values to inspire engagement
Coach and develop the Individual Giving team across Annual Giving, Major Gifts, and Gift Planning
Drive cohesive strategy development and execution across the campus
Ensure accountability through policies and procedures
Strategy And Major Gift Development
Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies
Manage a portfolio of high‑level prospects and partner with leadership to cultivate transformational gifts
Serve as strategist for $1M+ prospects
Administrative Leadership And Planning
Member of the Development and Alumni Relations leadership team
Contribute to strategic planning and operational excellence
Senior advisor to the Vice President on fundraising matters
Perform all other duties as assigned
Additional Functions
Extensive contact at all levels of the university and with external donors
Up to 30% out‑of‑town travel required
Some evening and weekend work required
Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
Rice Mission and Values | Rice University: https://www.rice.edu/about/university-mission
Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Job Description To be considered for the Associate Vice President for Development opportunity at Rice University, please submit your resume and cover letter in confidence to WittKieffer at RiceAVPDevelopment@wittkieffer.com with the subject line: Associate Vice President for Development at Rice University.
Special Instructions to Applicants Submit your application materials as requested above.
About Rice Rice University is a 300‑acre campus in Houston, Texas, ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities. With a 6-to‑1 undergraduate‑to‑faculty ratio, Rice offers a residential college system that supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally. The university prides itself on a strong campus tradition of developing close‑knit, diverse communities and is highly regarded for quality of life and value among private institutions. Rice’s core values—Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence—guide all decisions and behaviors.
Position Summary Reporting to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, the Associate Vice President for Development provides leadership, evaluation, and mentoring to the individual‑giving program. The role coordinates efforts to maximize philanthropic support, serves as a primary contact for campus leadership, and manages the participation of deans and other university leaders in fundraising activities. As a senior member of the fundraising team, this person manages a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects at the $1M+ level while overseeing the frontline fundraising operation, including Annual Giving, Major Gifts, Gift Planning, and Parents fundraising programs. The position serves on the division’s leadership team and the campaign steering committee to advance donor experience and operational efficiency.
Ideal Candidate Statement The ideal candidate is a collaborative, strategic thinker with a proven record of leading development staff to set and achieve data‑driven fundraising goals. The candidate motivates, mentors, and advocates for talented staff to facilitate team success.
Workplace Requirements This hybrid role combines in‑office and remote work. Per Rice policy 440, arrangements may change. Must hold a valid Texas driver’s license with no more than three moving violations or at‑fault accidents in the past 36 months and no DWI or DUI convictions in the past five years.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree
7+ years of successful major‑gift (front‑line) fundraising experience
At least three years of experience leading a team of development professionals and working with deans, faculty, and senior administrators
Skills
Commitment to Rice University’s mission
Strong leadership and strategic management skills
Deep understanding of fundraising best practices
Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, verbal, and written communication skills
Ability to lead and motivate others
Capacity to manage many fundraising activities simultaneously
Skill in engaging and motivating diverse groups
Attention to detail and advanced problem‑solving
Organizational and time‑management proficiency
Creativity, initiative, and motivation
Ability to work under pressure and manage projects concurrently
Team orientation and leadership example
Independent work capability and collaborative teamwork to meet deadlines
Diplomatic judgment and contingency planning
Interest and commitment to sharing knowledge via training programs
Preferences
Master’s degree
8+ years of the experience specified above
5+ years of fundraising experience at higher education
Experience on a significant higher‑education fundraising campaign
Experience as a regional or school‑based fundraising officer
Good sense of humor and positive outlook
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
Proficiency with fundraising CRM and data‑driven orientation
Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification
Essential Functions Strategic Leadership and Team Development
Lead culture of philanthropy and performance excellence
Communicate Rice’s mission, vision, and values to inspire engagement
Coach and develop the Individual Giving team across Annual Giving, Major Gifts, and Gift Planning
Drive cohesive strategy development and execution across the campus
Ensure accountability through policies and procedures
Strategy And Major Gift Development
Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies
Manage a portfolio of high‑level prospects and partner with leadership to cultivate transformational gifts
Serve as strategist for $1M+ prospects
Administrative Leadership And Planning
Member of the Development and Alumni Relations leadership team
Contribute to strategic planning and operational excellence
Senior advisor to the Vice President on fundraising matters
Perform all other duties as assigned
Additional Functions
Extensive contact at all levels of the university and with external donors
Up to 30% out‑of‑town travel required
Some evening and weekend work required
Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
Rice Mission and Values | Rice University: https://www.rice.edu/about/university-mission
Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.
#J-18808-Ljbffr