Colgate University, a top-ranked liberal arts institution, seeks a visionary Associate Vice President (AVP) for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving to provide strategic leadership in fostering meaningful connections with its global alumni community and in mobilizing philanthropic support through a thriving annual giving program.
As a highly selective, residential liberal arts university, Colgate is dedicated to educating talented students for lives of leadership and service. The University has a deeply rooted culture of philanthropy and alumni engagement, with more than 56% of alumni actively participating each year through giving, volunteering, and attending both virtual and in-person programs. Signature events—such as Reunion, which welcomes more than 2,200 alumni and guests annually—exemplify the strength of Colgate’s alumni network.
This enduring alumni loyalty and generosity provides a powerful foundation as the University advances its historic and comprehensive Campaign for the Third Century. With over $745 million raised toward its $1 billion goal, the campaign is a cornerstone of Colgate’s Third-Century Plan, designed to propel the University into a new era of academic excellence and institutional impact.
This is an ideal opportunity for a strategic, collaborative, and innovative relationship builder, ready to create and sustain programs that effectively engage alumni in the day-to-day life of Colgate. The new leader will identify, develop, and build programs that keep alumni informed and aware of Colgate’s relevance to them personally and professionally. Purposeful outreach and meaningful long-term relationship building will be the pillar of all alumni engagement and annual giving strategy. The AVP will act as an advocate for alumni and serve as one of the University’s primary spokespersons to alumni around the world.
A passion for connecting and building networks between alumni, students, and the University will define the new leader. Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, Kim Harris, and serving as a member of her leadership team, the new AVP will assist the Vice President with the strategic direction of the division, establish goals and metrics, and evaluate advancement programs and practices, as well as lead, coach, mentor, and develop alumni engagement and annual giving staff.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.
Application materials should be submitted to WittKieffer’s candidate portal using the buttons below.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Mercedes Chacón Vance and Jevon Walton at [email protected].
Compensation and Benefit Information
Compensation range: $140,000 – $170,000
Benefits: Colgate University provides a wide range of benefits for its employees. Information on University benefits programs, including eligibility, is available at https://www.colgate.edu/about/offices-centers-institutes/finance-and-administration/human-resources/employee-benefits.