Spartanburg, SC

Vice President for Advancement, Wofford College

The Organization

Wofford College, consistently ranked one of the country’s top 70 liberal arts colleges and one of the few with a highly competitive Division I athletics program, seeks an exceptional leader as its next Vice President for Advancement (VPA). A strategic partner to the college’s President and the Board of Trustees, this seasoned professional will be a leader of an already accomplished advancement effort and a vital member of the President’s highly collaborative and collegial Cabinet.

Established in 1854, Wofford College is an independent liberal arts college in Spartanburg, S.C., affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It offers bachelor’s degrees in 27 major fields of study and is well known for its programs leading to graduate and professional studies (medicine and other health professions, law, commerce and advanced graduate study across academic disciplines). The college is committed to providing a superior liberal arts education that prepares its students for extraordinary and positive contributions to a global society. Wofford’s mission is focused on excellence in character, performance, leadership, service to others and lifelong learning. Wofford strives for sustainability in all aspects of college life through respect for the environment and through the college’s core values.

Position Overview

The Vice President for Advancement, reporting directly to President Nayef Samhat, has oversight responsibility for all staff and activities involved with fundraising to support the programs of the college, including annual, planned and capital giving. The Advancement portfolio also includes all activities designed to engage alumni, parents, corporations, foundations and other individual friends in support of the college and in the building, cultivation and nurturing of those relationships essential for fundraising success. Overall, the VPA and Advancement staff will partner with leadership, faculty and other divisions of the college in carrying out the college’s mission. This Vice President will also serve as the main liaison with the Committee on Advancement of the Board of Trustees.

The next Vice President of Advancement will join Wofford at a critical time in its history. The college has just concluded the most successful campaign in its history. Beginning with a goal of $300 million, Wofford ended the campaign at more than $470 million. Anchored by several transformational gifts from alumnus Jerry Richardson ’59, this groundbreaking fundraising effort has provided both current stability and a bright future for Wofford. While Wofford faces similar challenges as other liberal arts colleges in the U.S., the college has enjoyed a steep upward trajectory over the past two decades and seeks to continue this momentum.

The Vice President for Advancement will be vital to this effort. Wofford aspires to a state-of-the-art, best practices advancement program that is productive across the donor pyramid and in the long term. The VPA will create and execute a plan to build on Wofford’s most recent successes and lead the team to higher productivity through the development of deep relationships with constituents of means and with the entire alumni population. Additional information about this position, including a Leadership Profile can be found at www.wittkieffer.com

How To Apply

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.

WittKieffer is assisting Wofford College in this search, which will remain open until an appointment is made.

Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Greg Duyck and Ashlee Winters
WoffordVPAdv@wittkieffer.com

Wofford College values diversity within our students, faculty, and staff, and strives to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people. Wofford College does not discriminate in employment on the bases of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and/or local laws.

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