The posting
Job Description
Champlain College is seeking a Vice President of Advancement to develop and lead the vision, strategy, and operations that power the college's fundraising and philanthropic efforts. Reporting to the President and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, this role is responsible for setting the direction for all advancement activities — including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship. This is a high-impact opportunity at an institution with a clear direction and the investments to back it up.
Champlain is launching innovative new programs and deepening its partnerships with local and regional employers — all while expanding scholarship access to reach more students. The VP of Advancement will help translate these initiatives into philanthropic results that open doors for students and strengthen the college's position as a national leader in career-driven education. The College is building toward a significant fundraising campaign and the next VP will play a central role in shaping and executing that effort.
The ideal candidate is an energetic, results-oriented advancement professional who thrives on building relationships and closing gifts. Leading a team of four direct reports and 12 total staff, this role requires a leader who can set strategy and execute it personally, from cultivating major donor prospects to representing the college at events and in the community. We're looking for someone with the drive and creativity to take a strong foundation and make it stronger.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy & Execution
- Develop and execute a comprehensive advancement strategy encompassing major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, and campaign initiatives aligned with institutional priorities
- Personally manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, cultivating and soliciting donors at the highest levels
- Set fundraising goals, track performance metrics, and report outcomes to the President and Board of Trustees
- Identify and support proposal development of corporate and foundation funding opportunities through donor access and stakeholder coordination
Donor & Alumni Engagement
- Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, alumni, prospective donors, Board members, and community partners
- Develop and oversee donor stewardship programs that recognize giving and sustain long-term engagement
- Lead alumni relations efforts that strengthen connections to the college and create pathways to giving, volunteerism, and advocacy
- Plan and execute cultivation events, donor recognition programs, and advancement-related communications
Institutional Representation & Partnerships
- Serve as a visible ambassador for the college, representing Champlain's mission, values, and impact to external audiences
- Partner with the President, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership on strategic initiatives that advance the college's philanthropic position
- Collaborate across the institution — including Enrollment, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs — to align advancement priorities with institutional goals
- Engage with community leaders, local and regional employers, and civic organizations to strengthen Champlain's profile and expand its network of supporters and partners
Team Leadership & Operations
- Lead, mentor, and develop the advancement team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth
- Oversee the advancement budget and ensure responsible financial management of all philanthropic funds and gift processing operations
- Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and reporting requirements governing charitable giving and foundation activities
- Leverage data, analytics, and advancement technology to inform strategy and improve fundraising outcomes
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
- Ten or more years of progressive experience in fundraising, development, institutional advancement or adjacent fields, with demonstrated success in personally securing major gifts
- Strong budget management skills with experience overseeing advancement operations and gift processing
- Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with donors, board members, alumni, faculty, staff, and community partners
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to represent the institution publicly and craft compelling cases for support
- Experience managing and developing staff in a collaborative, team-oriented environment
- Familiarity with advancement CRM systems and data-driven approaches to fundraising
- A leadership style characterized by energy, initiative, and a willingness to be hands-on in all aspects of the work
Working Arrangements
- Full-time position based at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont, with regular on-campus presence expected
- Standard business hours, Monday through Friday, with flexibility for evening and weekend commitments including donor events, board meetings, and college functions
- Travel required for donor cultivation, alumni engagement, and institutional representation
Compensation & Benefits
Annual Salary: $165,000-$185,000
Comprehensive Benefits Package:
- Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance with HSA and FSA options
- Paid Time Off: 16 holidays, 4 weeks of vacation, 2 weeks sick time and 2 days of personal leave
- Retirement: 403(b) plan with 3% employer matching contribution
- Education: Tuition benefits for employees and family members
- Wellness: Gym discount and Wellness programs with up to $300 annual incentives
- Welfare: Short-term and long-term disability coverage, plus life insurance
- Other Perks: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with counseling services, access to employee discounts and local/national benefit programs
Application Instructions:
To apply, please follow the link below and submit the following application materials:
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter addressing the desired qualifications and how your experiences contribute to the academic excellence and inclusive community at Champlain College.
The College seeks candidates who can enhance its mission through their work, life experiences, service, teaching, or research. Please include specific examples of how you would contribute to these efforts in your Cover Letter.
To streamline our hiring process and ensure fairness for all candidates, we manage all recruitment communications through our online application system. Please do not call regarding your application status. We'll reach out directly if we'd like to schedule an interview.
The successful completion of a criminal background check is required as a condition of employment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Champlain College does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, religion, age, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, veteran or military service status, HIV -positive status, qualified disability, or on the basis of any other status protected by law, and does not discriminate in the administration of its education and admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, employment practices or co-curricular and other College-administered programs. Champlain College will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified students, applicants for admission or employment, or employees.
Champlain College is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming community. We believe that bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enriches education and strengthens our community. At Champlain, all members are valued as individuals and respected for their unique contributions.
EU Employee Data Protection Notice
About Us
Founded in 1878, Champlain College is a small, private, not-for-profit college in Burlington, Vermont overlooking Lake Champlain and the Adirondack mountains. Its career-driven approach to higher education prepares students for professional life from their very first semester. For the fifth year in a row, Champlain was named a "Most Innovative School" in the North by U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" 2020 regional rankings and ranked #9 on The Princeton Review's "2025 Top Schools for Game Design."
