Adler University educates students to engage the world and create a more just society. Established in 1952 to advance the pioneering work of Alfred Adler—who advocated social change to improve community health—the University offers a range of graduate degree programs that focus on graduating socially responsible practitioners, engaging communities, and advancing social justice. More than 1,200 students are enrolled at the University’s campuses in downtown Chicago and Vancouver (BC), and through its Global Campus for online programs. Its Institutes and Centers engage students, faculty, practitioners and communities in advocacy, applied research, and action for social justice.  Adler University holds the Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, recognizing higher institution practices for exemplary community engagement.
 
Adler University continues the pioneering work of the first community psychologist
Alfred Adler by graduating socially responsible practitioners, engaging communities, and advancing social justice.
 
The three outcomes of the Mission are interconnected conceptually as well as through the organization of Adler University. The University's education and training prepares students to be socially responsible practitioners who engage communities and advance social justice, during both their course of study and their later professional lives.
 
The Vision is for Adler University to be the "leading" or premier higher education organization addressing socially responsible practice and its concomitants (locally, regionally, and globally), and a unique resource for broadening relevant practice, effecting social justice, understanding policy, initiating advocacy, promoting academic reflection, and producing social action and change. 
 
Socially responsible practice is central to Adler University's Mission and Vision and is the extension of Alfred Adler's original ideas regarding the need for a more equal, cooperative and just society, as well as his revolutionary ideas regarding the potential for activism among health professionals to address social challenges. The University's faculty defined and operationalized the competency of socially responsible practice, with expected knowledge, attitudes, and skills acquired through specific curricular experiences and evaluated through milestones, for graduate programs in clinical psychology, counseling, family therapy, organizational consultation, art therapy, police psychology, and a number of practice disciplines such as criminology, public policy and administration. 
 
As of January 2015, the Adler School of Professional Psychology officially became known as Adler University. This new name better reflects the breadth and depth of institutional, student and faculty work, and the institution’s aspirations for the future.
 
The institution has just completed a new five-year strategic plan to fully realize its transition to Adler University, and a new five-year plan is under way. For 63 years, the institution has adhered to the Adlerian principles upon which it was founded and will continue to do so. Over the course of its prior five-year plan, since 2010, the institution has attracted enrollment growth of 43%, nearly doubled its workforce, significantly reduced its student-to-faculty ratio, and more than doubled the size of its Chicago and Vancouver campuses. Importantly, there have been major gains in institutional advancement:  in 2009, funds raised were $83,000, and last year, $1.4 million was raised. The institution has also expanded and aligned its education and community engagement with social responsibility, expanded its global involvement and impact, and achieved significant solidified its financial strength.
 
Adler University directly engages communities through over 500 community partnerships in order to provide students with experience training in socially responsible practice and to advance social justice within those communities.
 
The Opportunity: Vice President for Institutional Advancement
 
Reporting to the President, Raymond E. Crossman, and participating as a member of the Adler University Leadership Team, the Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VP) serves as the University’s chief development officer and will work closely with the President and Board of Trustees to build solid programs in the philanthropic community. The VP provides a strategic fundraising vision and subsequently leads and implements all philanthropic functions.  In this capacity, the Vice President has responsibility for the administration, management, and development of the annual fund, major and planned gifts program, and alumni relations.  Experience with comprehensive campaigns is key to this role as Adler University recently launched its first campaign.  In the 18 months since launching, 32% of the campaign’s $10M goal has been raised.
 
The direct reports to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement include three people, filling the roles of Executive Administrative Assistant, Director of Development for the Vancouver Campus, and Associate Vice President for Leadership Giving, whose direct reports include the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, the Director of Annual Giving, and the Director of Alumni Relations. The Vice President will work closely with the President to determine annual fundraising goals and develop an integrated short- and long-term strategy and plan for the development office. This includes the identification and expansion of fundraising opportunities such as an annual fund drive, major gifts, and foundation and corporate support.
 
Performance Expectations
 
Visionary Leadership

• Work closely with the President and the Institutional Advancement team to create and implement strategies and departmental goals to support annual operations and special projects such as campaigns, endowment, etc.
• Increase philanthropic support and meet strategic objectives by further developing, implementing, routinely evaluating and leading a comprehensive annual fundraising program which incorporates but is not limited to major giving, planned giving, annual fund, direct mail, research, corporate and foundation giving, corporate sponsorships, campaigns, special events and new fundraising initiatives.
• Lead the process for Adler Leadership (President, Board, Executives and others) in the identification, solicitation and stewardship of an active portfolio of prospects and donors.
• Provide the Leadership Team guidance, education, and support as it fulfills its role to propel philanthropy throughout all University activities, initiatives, and culture.
• Motivate, develop and retain a team of fundraising professionals (currently six direct and indirect reports) to deliver on specific components of the development pipeline. This includes providing strategic direction for Institutional Advancement team members and supervision of assigned Institutional Advancement team members, and driving accountability for achieving annual fundraising goals.
• Develop and maintain collaborative and impactful relationships with Adler University colleagues, faculty, trustees, alumni, students, volunteers, donors, prospects, the philanthropic community and other partners.
• Track industry trends, strategy and best practices, including educating others and evaluating opportunities for continuous improvement. Act as a resource for current practice and strategy particularly around current published materials on current industry trends.

 
Fund Development Management

• Build and continually enhance an effective donor base and pipeline, including supporting team members in prospect identification, solicitation and stewardship processes.
• Manage a personal portfolio of individual, corporate and/or foundation donors and prospects.
• Oversee consistent weekly, monthly and quarterly reports of fundraising progress, communicating the goals and strategies of the overall advancement efforts and managing the progress against interim benchmarks.
• Partner with members of the Leadership Team to ensure effective interdepartmental and cross functional communication and collaboration.
• Nurture partnerships and relationships with current and prospective funders through donor recognition programs and stewardship. Cultivate long-term relationships to ensure continued funding and funder engagement and involvement.
• In collaboration with the Institutional Advancement team and other departments as appropriate, produce powerful and inspiring letters and proposals as well as prepare dynamic presentations and materials customized for target audiences.
• Establish and maintain a positive, collaborative and collegial work environment.
• Participate with the President, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and the Campaign Steering Committee in leading the campaign’s volunteer leadership structure and identifying a cadre of potential volunteer leaders and workers, developing informed assessments of their capacities and talents, and cultivating and involving these individuals in robust campaign participation.
• Ensure ethical and appropriate financial administration of contributed income, including overseeing the donor and prospect records, gift processing and donor stewardship functions.

 
Board Development and Management

• Establish and maintain a strong relationship with the Board of Trustees and all related boards, councils, advisory groups, Campaign Committee, etc.
• Work with and provide training and support for Adler University’s Board and senior leadership team to enhance fundraising activities, foster an overall culture of philanthropy, and solicit and close gifts.
• Strategize and actively participate in the Board Development and Nominations process, ensuring the Board is attuned to and focused on its primary Ambassadorial, Philanthropic and Governance roles.
• Communicate effectively and promptly with the Boards, and serve as an effective link for communication between Board members, staff, volunteers, and the community at-large/other stakeholders.

 
External & Community Relations

• Serve as an articulate, passionate and visible spokesperson for Adler University, and as a prominent face of fundraising throughout the organization and in the community.
• Maintain active membership and a strong presence in professional organizations, community groups, and other spaces relevant to the work of Adler University and its mission.
• Provide a best practice approach to Adler University’s efforts to effectively communicate the mission, goals and accomplishments to donors, prospective donors and the broader community.
• Create and implement a plan to identify and build strong relationships with key donors, community leaders and volunteers, and engage organizations with which Adler University should partner.
• Provide strategic leadership to Adler University’s efforts to effectively communicate the mission, goals and accomplishments to donors, prospective donors, and the broader community.

 
The Qualified Candidate
 
Adler University seeks an accomplished and strategic professional with a recent concentration on managing a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects and/or campaigns, and progressive experience managing a team of fundraising professionals in a fast-paced, high-accountability, results-driven culture. She/he will have strong knowledge of fundraising best practices, a creative and enthusiastic viewpoint, and be passionate and committed to Adler University’s mission. This person will have a strong sense of accountability and take initiative, as well as be adaptable, highly organized, persuasive and detail-oriented, with the ability to build collaborative relationships and foster trust both internally and externally. She/he must be a good listener and equally comfortable and professional when interacting with volunteer leadership, colleagues, faculty, students, alumni and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will exhibit personal integrity, honesty, zeal and compassion.
 
Adler University seeks the following Universal Core Behaviors in all Leadership Team members. Details follow at the end of the document.
 

• Communication
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Responsiveness to Change
• Quality-Driven and Accountable
• Support of Vision, Mission, Values, Key Strategies
• Diversity/Cultural Competency

 
Specific Position Requirements Include:

• Demonstrated Major Gifts and/or Campaign experience with solid track record.
• Experience managing a team of advancement staff who develop and implement general annual fund, grants, events, and administrative roles.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit and train volunteers to support fundraising activities.
• Ability to gather, analyze and effectively communicate data, including a basic understanding of financial statements and budgets.
• Evidenced prior work in creative and strategic planning and implementation of fund development functions.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively to successfully meet the fundraising goals of the University.
• Excellent planning, organizing, and problem solving skills.
• Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse community, and contribute to the learning environment of the University.
• Ability to read and write proficiently using the English language.
• Facility to develop and maintain a strong presence in the philanthropic community, particularly in Chicago. Must have the social interpersonal skills to effectively engage philanthropic and community leaders, as well as active and prospective donors.
• A career history that shows progressively increasing responsibility in development or related fields. Minimum of seven (7) years experience, with three (3) in managing staff.
• Master’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communication, or a related field. CFRE preferred.
• Proven professional track record that reflects stability with an organization and capacity to develop and nurture relationships culminating in major gift success.

 
This position offers a competitive salary with very competitive benefits. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.
 
To Apply
 
This search is being managed by Evette Simon, Vice President and Heather Eddy, President & CEO of Alford Executive Search, a division of KEES. Questions may be addressed to esimon@alfordexecutivesearch.com.
 
Candidates may apply by clicking the APPLY NOW button below. To assure confidential tracking, no resumes will be accepted via email.
 
Alford Executive Search (www.alfordexecutivesearch.com), a division of Kistner Eddy Executive Services (KEES), is a retained search firm dedicated to providing recruitment services of exceptional quality and strengthening the nonprofit community through professional staffing solutions.
 
Adler University Universal Core Behaviors of Leadership Team Members
 
Communication:

• Effectively expresses oneself in all oral and written communications.
• Exhibits good listening and comprehension skills.
• Keeps others informed, as well as responds, in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates match between words and actions.
• Responds with tact, diplomacy, respect, and composure when dealing with others.
• Promotes spirit/essence of the Vision/Mission/Values/Key Strategies through verbal/written communications.

 
Teamwork and Collaboration:

• Cooperates with others toward the achievement of common goals.
• Seeks consensus and win-win solutions to problems and conflicts.
• Contributes actively and participates fully in team initiatives.
• Puts success of the team above own interests.
• Builds and maintains constructive work relationships.

 
Responsiveness to Change:

• Supports changes in the work environment.
• Displays a proactive, problem-solving approach toward work.
• Committed to life-long learning by continuously increasing skills, knowledge, and effectiveness.
• Actively seeks and initiates creative and innovative solutions.
• Exercises sound, accurate, and informed independent judgement when needed.

 
Quality-Driven and Accountable:

• Results-oriented and committed to quality through continuous process improvement.
• Eliminates ineffective activities and closes performance gaps.
• Anticipates and responds to customer needs.
• Monitors own performance, accepts responsibility for actions and actively seeks feedback.
• Meets deadlines and completes projects and activities in a professional, timely manner.
• Seeks to increase productivity/reduce costs while maintaining highest quality standards-fiscal responsibility.

 
Support of Vision, Mission, Values, Key Strategies:

• Supports and models the University’s Values.
• Articulates the University’s Mission, and Key Strategies in a way to educate others.
• Demonstrates active commitment in advancing the University’s Vision, Mission, and Key Strategies.
• Exhibits personal integrity, honesty, zeal, and compassion.
• Aligns work processes to advance the University’s strategic plan and key strategies.

 
Diversity/Cultural Competency:

• In evaluating cultural competency, consider the employee’s knowledge and skills in applying the awareness of one’s own cultural worldview, recognition of one’s attitude toward cultural differences, realization of different cultural practices and worldviews, and thoughtfulness in cross-cultural interaction through the following:
  • Effectively applies the University’s philosophy of equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of their work.
  • Takes sufficient steps to create, develop, and/or support a diverse workforce in their department.
  • Takes sufficient steps to promote an inclusive environment.
  • Values/appreciates unique contributions of other cultures/nationalities/ethnicity/gender/age/point of view.