Vice President for College Advancement

St. Norbert College, in partnership with Core Educational Services, invites applications and nominations for a dynamic and proven leader to serve as its next Vice President for Advancement.

The Vice President for Advancement will be an experienced advancement professional with a successful track record as a major and/or principal gift fund raiser. The successful candidate will also demonstrate success as a leader and manager of people, projects and budgets at an institution of equal or greater complexity. Leadership experience in a comprehensive campaign is required, as are superior communication and relationship-building skills. Most importantly, the vice president will enthusiastically support St. Norbert’s Catholic, Norbertine and liberal arts mission and values.

Building on a successful foundation and articulating an ambitious plan for the future, St. Norbert’s next Vice President for Advancement will enjoy the opportunity to build the program to a new level of sophistication on behalf of this compelling and unique institution.

The Vice President for Advancement will provide visionary leadership in developing and executing a comprehensive advancement strategy that aligns seamlessly with the college’s overarching mission, vision, and strategic goals. This pivotal role will collaborate closely with the president, senior leadership team, and various boards to establish long-term fundraising priorities, initiatives, and campaigns designed to propel the institution’s growth and fortify its financial sustainability. Moreover, the vice president will lead the advancement team, creating and implementing multi-year operational plans marked by ambitious yet achievable goals, effective resource allocation, and a commitment to continuous evaluation and strategic adaptation to ensure successful outcomes that resonate with the college’s aspirations.

Essential responsibilities: 

• Serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet and maintain close working relationships with the president’s advisory groups and trustees. 

• Work closely with the president in all phases of advancement and campaign leadership activities. 

• Participate in strategic discussions and develop programs to strengthen the financial resources of the college. Create and execute development plans that utilize best practices in annual, major, and planned gift programs to meet fundraising goals.

• Maintain a dynamic portfolio of major gift prospects in all phases of qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Execute existing campaign plans and create future campaign initiatives. 

• Work with direct reports to develop annual plans and budgets for alumni relations, St. Norbert Fund, gift planning, development, and capital campaigns. 

• Direct, coach, evaluate and inspire staff to achieve goal-oriented outcomes. Provide leadership to constituent relations programs in the areas of alumni relations, business relations, and other key constituent relations. Maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, coaches, and campus departments whose cooperation is essential to effective development programs. 

• Devise effective internal and external messaging and methods of communication in collaboration with the Office of Communications. Serve as an exemplary college advocate in the community and build relationships that closely link the community with the college. Be active and involved in the advancement profession and keep St. Norbert College visible among higher education peer institutions.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications: 

Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree 

• At least 10 years of experience in progressively responsible positions in advancement, preferably development 

• Demonstrated experiences in all phases of fundraising 

Preferred: 

•  Master’s degree 

• Experience in higher education 

• Strong oral and written communication skills 

• Management skills, in particular goal setting, supervision, budgeting and evaluation

• Ability to develop, cultivate, and maintain purposeful relationships 

• A successful record of fundraising and cultivating donors 

• Experience working directly with and managing the activities of a volunteer board, executive campaign committee, and other principal gift prospects 

• Experience working with and/or leading volunteers, including foundation, campaign, and alumni boards

About St. Norbert College:

St. Norbert College is among the nation’s most highly regarded Catholic liberal arts colleges. According to the most recent U.S. News and World Report rankings, SNC is among the top-rated liberal arts colleges identifying as Catholic and ranks 93rd among all national liberal arts colleges. In addition, the college was ranked as one of the top 40 colleges for social mobility and top 70 best-value colleges. With approximately 1,750 students, St. Norbert has successfully recruited incoming classes that are more diverse and academically talented each year. St. Norbert continues to build on its foundation of excellence developed over more than a century, while responding to 21st century student needs. Celebrating its 125th anniversary last year, St. Norbert is the only college in the world sponsored by the Norbertines, a Catholic order devoted to community, reflection and serving the needs of others. 

St. Norbert College’s idyllic campus sits along a bend of the Fox River in De Pere, Wis., a suburb of Green Bay. The college is known for its academic excellence; winning athletic tradition; committed students; creative partnerships (including housing the northeast Wisconsin campus of the Medical College of Wisconsin); dedicated staff; extraordinary faculty who are both excellent teachers and scholars; and its array of research, leadership and service opportunities for students. 

The college has experienced remarkable development in the last decade, resulting in one  of the most beautiful and modern campuses in the upper Midwest. More than $150 million in new construction and renovation has produced such state-of-the-art facilities as the Gehl-Mulva Science Center; the Cassandra Voss Center; the Miriam B. and James J. Mulva Library; Dudley Birder Hall; Michels Commons; Schneider Stadium; and the Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center. Additionally, the college broke ground in May 2024 on its new Donald & Patricia Schneider Family Hall, with a lead gift from the Schneider family. The 45,000-square foot, multi-use facility will be home to the college’s undergraduate and graduate business and economics programs, including data analytics and a new sports management program. 

Position Profile:

The position profile can be viewed here, and includes the leadership agenda and additional information.

Application and Nomination Process:

Confidential conversations are encouraged and may be arranged directly with the senior consultant, Megan Alpaugh (malpaugh@core.edu). The search committee will begin reviewing applications in July as they are received. Though applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled, only those materials received by  July 29 are assured full consideration. 

Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted in confidence. Applications should consist of a detailed letter of interest that describes the candidate’s interest and alignment with the agenda for leadership, a current resume, and a list of five professional references with current contact information. References will not be contacted without the permission of the candidate.

St. Norbert College (SNC), a Catholic, Norbertine and liberal arts college, provides an educational environment that fosters intellectual, spiritual and personal development. As the only Norbertine institution of higher learning in the world, our roots, traditions, and commitments create a unique and enriching educational experience for our students. 

At SNC, our commitment to communio — the Norbertine ideal of a community united as one — is grounded in the principles of dignity, truth and justice. Consistent with these principles, St. Norbert is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. 

We seek those who will embrace our mission and commitment to building a vibrant, diverse and spiritually engaged community (www.snc.edu/mission/gettingtoknow.html). Applications from members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply (www.snc.edu/diversityaffairs).