The Organization
Set in the heart of Houston, Texas, the nation’s fourth-largest city, Rice is a comprehensive research university that fosters diversity and an intellectual environment that produces the next generation of leaders and advances tomorrow’s thinking.
Position Overview
Rice has achieved a position among America’s great research universities. Even in that category, it is distinctive: Rice is a great small university. That is, while smaller than most, Rice is able to compete with the best in the nation — indeed, in the world. To support and to enhance this record of success, Rice University seeks a new Associate Vice President for Development (AVP).
Reporting to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, Darrow Zeidenstein, and serving as a member of his leadership staff, this person will provide leadership, evaluation, and mentoring to the individual giving program, coordinating efforts to maximize philanthropic support as Rice University prepares to launch into the public phase of a major campaign.
The AVP will be a main point of contact with campus leadership, working to develop philanthropic and fundraising strategies, managing the participation of deans and other university leaders in philanthropy, and preparing them for prospect meetings and solicitations. As a senior member of the fundraising team, this person will be a member of the principal gifts team and manage a portfolio of major and principal gifts prospects capable of gifts at the $1m+ level. As a senior leader in the division, this position will serve on the division’s leadership team and the campaign steering committee in an effort to maintain and improve the efficiency of Development and Alumni Relations’ work while continuing to advance an already excellent donor experience. The new AVP will work to ensure the successful achievement of aggressive fundraising goals in line with an upcoming comprehensive campaign in the range of $1.5 to $2 billion. This person will have a minimum of ten years experience, a bachelor’s degree is required and a master’s degree is preferred.
How To Apply
A full position description can be found here: wittkieffer.com. Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae, a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the Leadership Statement, and the names and contact information of five references. References will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval of candidates. These materials should be sent electronically via e-mail to the Rice University’s consultant, Mercedes C. Vance, RiceAVPDev@wittkieffer.com. Documents that must be mailed may be sent to Witt/Kieffer, 2015 Spring Road, Suite 510, Oak Brook, IL 60523.
The Rice University values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.