AVP, University Advancement Operations

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and operational oversight for fundraising, alumni engagement, and institutional advancement initiatives.
• Direct organizational strategy, operational planning, and financial resource management to ensure fiscal sustainability.
• Serve as Assistant Treasurer of the CSU Foundation, overseeing financial operations, budgeting, audit, compliance, and gift processing.
• Support the Foundation’s Audit, Finance, and Investment Committees.
• Lead organizational development initiatives, including workforce planning, leadership development, and performance management.
• Drive technology-enabled modernization efforts to improve advancement operations infrastructure.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, higher education, nonprofit management, finance, or a related field.
• 8 years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, higher education administration, nonprofit operations, or finance.
• 5 years of supervisory experience.
• Proven experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and leading complex, cross-functional organizational operations.
• Experience managing large-scale operational functions and organizational change initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as MBA, higher education administration, or nonprofit leadership.
• Experience working within a comprehensive university advancement environment.
• Experience supporting multi-year fundraising campaigns and growth strategies.
• Familiarity with advanced CRM platforms, fundraising analytics, and higher education governance.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide technology transformation or operational modernization projects.

About the Company

Cleveland State University is a leading urban research university dedicated to engaged learning and providing transformative educational opportunities to a diverse student body.