SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY Richmond, Virginia https://www.vcu.edu The Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in the search for a Senior Director of Development, College of Engineering The Senior Director of Development, College of Engineering will direct, plan, coordinate, and implement administrative and operational activities for the College of Engineering fundraising program, primarily through the coordination of major gift and leadership annual fund strategies The Senior Director of Development will develop, in conjunction with senior leadership of the college, new opportunities for philanthropic fundraising while stewarding current relationships and serving as the key point person for the college for philanthropic activities, goals, and programming This position has significant scope to make a major impact with a rapidly growing organization Virginia Commonwealth University, a major, urban public research university, was designated in 2013 by U.S News & World Report as one the nation’s “up and coming universities, recognizing its promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, student life and research.” VCU ranks among the top 50 public research universities in the country according to the Center of Measuring University Performance, especially in the areas of faculty awards, doctorates granted, and number of post-doctoral fellows VCU enrolls more than 31,000 students in 226 degree and certificate programs in the sciences, arts, and humanities across its campuses—the downtown Monroe Park and MCV Campuses, and campuses in Fairfax, Virginia, for the schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, and Doha, Qatar, for the School of the Arts Hailed for its nationally ranked programs in the arts, social work, and health sciences, VCU is a cutting-edge teaching and research university with an exceptional commitment to excellence, diversity, innovation, and outreach VCU secured $271 million in sponsored research in FY16 In 2009, Michael Rao, Ph.D became the fifth President of VCU and President of the VCU Health System Under his leadership, VCU developed and launched a new strategic plan, Quest for Distinction, which builds on the history of the institution and its strategic assets spanning academic medicine, engineering, life sciences, social sciences, and the arts Through Quest, VCU works to meet the demands of diverse populations through impactful research, rigorous study, extensive community engagement, and university-wide commitment to human health COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Since its inception in 1996, the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Engineering has brought innovative, real-world engineering education to Central Virginia The college enrolls over 1,700 undergraduate and 250 graduate students and offers degrees in biomedical engineering, chemical and life science engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical and nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, and, in conjunction with the School of Business, a master’s degree in computer and information systems security The programs emphasize creativity, entrepreneurship, business skills, communication, teamwork, and undergraduate research Students benefit from close, personal interactions with faculty and from the many opportunities available for internships, co-ops, and undergraduate research experiences These work experiences provide students with a clear understanding of the application of engineering and computer science skills to real-world environments REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS The Senior Director of Development, College of Engineering will report to the Dean, College of Engineering and the Associate Vice President, Development, Monroe Park Campus PRINCIPAL OPPORTUNITIES The VCU College of Engineering is an innovation front-runner in academics and research, bringing real-world education to Central Virginia and providing hands-on, experiential learning opportunities for its students Its collaborative and multidisciplinary partnerships prepare undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students for leadership We make it real by turning great ideas into breakthrough technologies Our facilities are hubs of discovery, powered by an expanding student body and faculty committed to excellence We encourage partnering with industry and the community, bringing new collaborators into our projects In the past year alone, the college has increased its community outreach programs, calling upon students, faculty, and staff to serve as volunteers bringing early engineering programs to elementary and high school systems across the region One notable example this year was reaching 12,000 eighth graders and their 400 teachers through the Mission Tomorrow program The college is committed to a visible and sustained presence in the community, both through outreach efforts and industry partnerships On any given day, employers like Altria, Capital One, CoStar or Dominion Energy are giving tech talks, hosting networking sessions, and advising on student projects VCU College of Engineering is Virginia’s only engineering program in the capital region The state’s economic growth depends on availability of skilled talent and the College of Engineering is ideally positioned to supply that talent In 2017, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation recognized the leadership of VCU in the development of novel methods for producing pharmaceuticals using green chemistry with a $25 million gift to establish the Medicines for All Institute in the College of Engineering This built on an investment of $15 million, helping to position the College as a hub for economic development for Virginia The college has responded to specific work force needs by adding undergraduate specializations and post-baccalaureate certificates in cybersecurity and data science and courses in automation and controls Key research areas include sustainability and energy engineering; micro and nano electronic systems; pharmaceutical engineering; mechanobiology and regenerative medicine; big data mining; and device design and development The Senior Director of Development will join a team poised to close out a record-breaking year and a successful campaign The successful candidate will set the fundraising vision for the new strategic plan within the College of Engineering that looks out to 2025 The College of Engineering recently celebrated the groundbreaking of its new Engineering Research Building in early June 2018 The Senior Director of Development and team will identify, solicit, and steward donors for various naming opportunities within the building The Senior Director of Development will also work with an established donor population to identify the next campaign’s major influencers The College of Engineering nurtures a dedicated alumni base and has seen year-over-year growth in alumni giving and participation Some 80 percent of the college’s 5,000-plus alumni remain in the greater Richmond region A highly engaged alumni board works as a strong partner to the Dean, the Senior Director of Development, and the College of Engineering Foundation Board members will be a key asset in communicating the vision of the strategic plan among their peers and networks Never has STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) education been more important or represented more of an opportunity The Senior Director of Development will be an essential partner in communicating the Dean’s vision and the college’s growth trajectory to draw trustees, alumni, corporate partners, and friends closer than ever and make this vision a reality PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES The Senior Director of Development, College of Engineering will • take a leadership role in developing new philanthropic relationships and expanding existing relationships in a well-established foundation with broad reach and interests; • manage a portfolio of approximately 125-150 of the college’s top prospects; • design and measure an annual and long-range fundraising plan tied to the strategic needs of the college; • integrate the dean, faculty, students, families, and alumni into development activities where most appropriate and effective; • develop and implement a plan for stewarding current relationships; • coordinate and leverage College of Engineering fundraising activities with all other units at VCU; • ensure the accurate documentation of major gift solicitation plans and activities in the university’s prospect management system; • work collaboratively with existing College of Engineering outreach offices and programs, in order to ensure accurate and effective information to stakeholders and friends of the college; • • • develop, support, and evaluate campaign volunteer opportunities within the college, including recruitment and training of those volunteers; audit internal operations in order to develop standardized procedures in keeping with university policies; and coordinate the composing, editing, and publishing of fundraising reports KEY COLLEAGUES Barbara D Boyan, Ph.D Dean, College of Engineering Barbara D Boyan holds the Alice T and William H Goodwin, Jr Chair and is Dean, College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond She is professor emerita at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she served as Associate Dean for Research and Innovation in the College of Engineering Dr Boyan directs the Virginia branch of the FDAsponsored Atlantic Pediatric Device Consortium She is a Fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Institute of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, and the World Congress of Biomaterials and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2012 In 2016, she was elected Fellow in the National Academy of Inventors Dr Boyan was appointed to the National Materials Advisory Board of the National Academies and chaired their Roundtable on Biomedical Engineering Materials and Applications She has founded a number of biomedical technology companies and has served on the Boards of both public and private companies The author of more than 480 peer-reviewed papers, reviews, and book chapters, Dr Boyan holds 24 U.S patents Jay E Davenport, CFRE Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Jay Davenport began his position as Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations in September 2017 Before joining VCU, Davenport served as Associate Vice President of Individual Giving and Campaign Management at Wake Forest University As VCU’s chief development officer, Davenport leads development and alumni engagement efforts for both the University and VCU Health System Areas under his purview include advancement services, alumni relations, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, development and alumni communications, donor relations, regional philanthropy, and the university-wide development staff Davenport served in several roles at Wake Forest since 2010, including Assistant Vice President of College Development, Assistant Vice President of Major Gifts, and Associate Vice President and Campaign Director Before Wake Forest, Davenport was Director of Development and team leader at Rice University and held fundraising positions as a college development director at the University of Memphis College of Business and Wright State University College of Engineering He began his higher education career as an Assistant Dean of Admissions at Wittenberg University in 1995 Davenport holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Xavier University and a master's degree in higher education administration from Ball State University John Leonard, Ph.D Executive Associate Dean, College of Engineering As an administrator and academic leader, Dean Leonard brings a rigorous, data-oriented approach to resource allocation, decision-making, and operations As Associate Dean, he focuses his technical expertise, computational interests, and leadership skills to create better linkages between institutional data and institutional strategy Dean Leonard designed and implemented a campus-wide data warehouse combining student, employee, faculty, financial, space, and other institutional data into a single, common framework, and developed prototypical tools and reports demonstrating how this new warehouse can be integrated into strategic planning, measurement, and tracking processes As one example, for the past six years his graduate reporting system has supported the enrollment and employment of over 2,300 graduate student employees each semester by engaging and synchronizing nearly 100 staff members across 23 schools and departments and all six colleges at the Georgia Institute of Technology As a researcher and faculty member, Dean Leonard’s research focuses on traffic flow theory and computer simulation Once a field based primarily on manual calculations and site-specific engineering design, transportation engineering has evolved into a multidisciplinary field, combining sensors, communications networks, analytical models, and software to solve systemwide problems Dean Leonard’s research has led to an improved understanding of freeway congestion, better tools and procedures for reducing local congestion, and deployment of improved strategies for relieving system congestion related to incidents Dean Leonard’s professional experience, including serving as Interim Executive Director of the State Road and Tollway Authority, brings a broad, public policy-oriented perspective of technology and transportation to the classroom Dean Leonard has served the profession at national, state, and regional levels, including leadership roles in the American Society of Engineering Education, on Transportation Research Board-National Research Council committees, as President of ITS Georgia, and as a member of regional and city task forces and transportation committees As a faculty mentor, Dean Leonard’s doctoral students are successful and well-place and include a tenured Associate Professor at the University of Massachusetts and a Professor at the Korea National University of Transportation Paul Rocheleau, M.B.A Executive Director for Strategic Programs, College of Engineering Paul Rocheleau provides the multi-functional support needed to grow the VCU College of Engineering, including the development of new initiatives with industry and other partners of the college Rocheleau has extensive global business leadership experience ranging from multinational public companies to small technology startups including particular expertise in developing business strategy for high growth companies, financial market interface, capital markets transactions, and complex business development programs Rocheleau has board experience with technology companies (public and private), and multinational public companies (chemicals and materials) For 18 years he has been associated with the founding and development of the VCU College of Engineering Rocheleau has business experience in all major regions of the world Magnus Johnsson, CFRE Senior Associate Vice President for Development Magnus Johnsson joined VCU in 2007 as Executive Director of External Relations and Development for the School of Education before taking on his current role in February 2015 Johnsson brings more than 20 years of fundraising experience and has served in volunteer leadership roles as past president of the Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Central Virginia Chapter His work experience includes senior leadership roles at UMFS and the United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg Johnsson received his Certified Fund Raising Executive credentials in 2004 and is a member of the 2015 Class of Leadership Metro Richmond He earned an M.P.A from Virginia Commonwealth University and a B.S in public administration from James Madison University As Senior Associate Vice President for Development, Johnsson oversees the areas of principal giving, regional giving, planned giving, and corporate and foundation relations CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES The successful candidate for the position of Senior Director of Development, College of Engineering should have • a deep appreciation for the mission and aspirations of the College of Engineering and VCU; • a desire to play a meaningful role in the life of VCU and to share in the extended community; • a demonstrated ability to plan, execute, and close significant major and principal gifts at an institution of higher education, having a demonstrated track record of successful gift solicitations at the $1M and above level and having been involved as the chief strategist for complex gifts involving a variety of gifting vehicles, including deferred giving; • a stellar track record and experience as a college, school, or unit director of development with a variety of constituency-based successes across health sciences units; • a demonstrated ability to work closely with academic leadership; • experience in capital campaigns of a complex and large nature ($500M or more); • a proclivity to understanding complex university protocol and politics; • the professional credibility and maturity required to effectively engage and leverage senior leadership, and other key stakeholders in building a successful campaign and organization; • management skills that are consistent with bringing out the best in staff and instill pride and ownership in a team effort; • excellent written and verbal communication skills; • personal attributes of honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, team player, follow through and commitment, attention to detail, organization, self-confidence, and broad-based fundraising experience; • a personal commitment to the fundraising industry as evidenced through a stellar work ethic and high standards of best practice; • • demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to so as a university professional at VCU; and, a college degree (BA/BS or above) and a minimum of eight years of experience in increasingly more responsible roles in Development and Advancement departments within complex university settings SALARY & BENEFITS Virginia Commonwealth University offers a competitive salary and benefits package LOCATION Virginia Commonwealth University is located in Richmond, Virginia, a culturally diverse city surrounded by historic neighborhoods VCU acts as a strong partner to and economic anchor for Richmond and its surrounding communities Combined, VCU and the VCU Health System are the largest employer in the Richmond metropolitan area and the sixth-largest employer in the state of Virginia VCU’s Siegel Center has drawn crowds to the downtown area through its concerts, speakers, and university athletic events Moody’s, the national bond-rating agency, notes that the region’s economy “has gained strength from education and health services anchored by VCU, which has invested $655 million in the city’s downtown since 2006.” Today, VCU continues to play an integral role in the economic health of the City of Richmond and the region—educating the current and future workforce, reaching out to the community, advancing research, and enhancing patient care VCU and VCU Health System have a total economic impact of $4 billion on Richmond and the surrounding area DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation or disability Development and Alumni Relations has a diversity and inclusion plan that is guided by the Talent Management Task Force This 12-member committee guides staff development (skills, leadership, team effectiveness), onboarding and new employee orientation, all-staff retreats, and diversity initiatives in keeping with VCU’s Building Inclusive Communities Strategic Plan Learn more here: https://inclusive.vcu.edu/initiatives/building-inclusive-communities/ VCU also leads the way in the Richmond community in partnership with AFP to develop and grown young and diverse talent in development careers VCU developed a new undergraduate Foundations in Fundraising course to prepare and encourage future development professionals Additionally, DAR staff teach ASK 101, a program to develop new frontline fundraisers, and ASK 102 “So You Think You Want to be a Fundraiser” to increase opportunities into solicitation roles This summer, VCU is hosting CASE diversity in advancement interns from partner institutions APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé Before submitting your materials, please read them over for accuracy Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the successful candidate has been selected To nominate a candidate, please contact Anne Johnson: annejohnson@aspenleadershipgroup.com All inquiries will be held in confidence  ... in biomedical engineering, chemical and life science engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical and nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, and,... projects VCU College of Engineering is Virginia’s only engineering program in the capital region The state’s economic growth depends on availability of skilled talent and the College of Engineering. .. College of Engineering should have • a deep appreciation for the mission and aspirations of the College of Engineering and VCU; • a desire to play a meaningful role in the life of VCU and to