Texas A&M University-Kingsville (Texas A&M-Kingsville) is conducting a national search for its next Vice President of University Advancement and Chief Foundation Officer (Vice President). As the founding public institution of higher education in South Texas, Texas A&M University-Kingsville transforms lives and creates well-rounded leaders through a commitment to excellence in teaching and learning and the pursuit of research and discovery. With a focus on student success, the university offers high-quality undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral education. The University will celebrate its centennial in 2025.

POSITION

Reporting directly to the president, the Vice President of University Advancement and Chief Foundation Officer provides critical and strategic leadership, vision, and guidance for the university’s development and articulation of a comprehensive strategic advancement plan to amplify Texas A&M-Kingsville’s identity and impact. The position will increase visibility and broaden awareness of the university’s achievements while cultivating transformational philanthropic support to advance the university’s mission. The advancement function includes responsibility for the annual fund, corporate and foundation relations, major gifts and gift planning, endowment, capital campaigns, alumni and constituent engagement efforts, stewardship, and advancement services.

The Vice President is the Chief Development Officer for the university and advises the president on all matters related to the management and operation of the Division of Advancement, in addition to serving as the university’s Chief Foundation Officer.

The Vice President will have the unique opportunity to promote a positive image and foster positive internal and external relationships. As an important face of the university, the Vice President will represent the president and the institution in various community, state, regional, national and international activities. This role will enhance communication and advocate for Texas A&M-Kingsville's needs, priorities, and aspirations.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Serve as a member of the Strategic Executive Leadership Team and maintain close working relationships with members of the Board of Trustees, key alumni, parents, and supporters.
• Serve as the staff liaison to the Board of Trustees and its various committees.
• As the Chief Foundation Officer, facilitate and monitor funding requests from Texas A&M University-Kingsville to the Foundation.
• Ensure that the activities of all College institutional advancement areas are coordinated for maximum effectiveness.
• In collaboration with the Board of Trustees, engage in strategic discussions that develop programs to strengthen the financial resources of the University
• Assess, build, manage, and lead a high-performing team of professionals. Oversee all Division of Advancement programs and provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to direct reports and, by extension, all team members.
• Establish and oversee division priorities, ensuring managers and staff focus on strategies and tactics essential to each unit’s performance rather than articulated goals and metrics.
• Evaluate staff members, mentor, coach, develop a strong sense of teamwork, and establish an environment of collaboration, nimbleness, problem-solving, creative thinking, and alumni and donor-centered activity.
• Lead the development and implementation of systems infrastructure to support the Division of Advancement, including policies, procedures, technologies, and knowledge transfer across the university.
• Lead the strategic planning and program expansion for development and alumni relations to ensure that the university successfully advances its relationship with  corporations, organizations, individuals, and families with the greatest philanthropic ability as the university seeks to accelerate the level and pace of transformational gifts.
• Oversee the management of all donor and partner relationships to build a robust pipeline of mid-to major-to principal-level gifts that will sustain the university’s fundraising success; lead by example through the management of a (reasonable) portfolio of the university’s top donors and donor prospects; partner effectively with key administrative and academic colleagues across campus.
• Ensure dynamic processes in all donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship phases.
• Engage the institution’s five academic colleges to enhance the culture of philanthropy.  Maintain cooperative working relationships with the various stakeholders, including faculty, coaches, and campus departments.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

We are seeking an exceptional leader for this role. The ideal candidate will have at least a bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline, progressive leadership experience, and time spent at the executive or senior level. A track record of leading a cross-functional development team within a complex organization will be highly valued. We are looking for a leader who understands the role and mission of a public research university.

Other preferred qualifications include:

• An earned graduate degree in an appropriate discipline from an accredited institution.
• At least 10 years leadership experience in development and university advancement.
• Proven ability to raise large-scale resources, exceptional track record of working with a broad range of donors and securing significant investments supporting the university’s strategic priorities.
• Experience leading and building strong teams of highly functioning and collaborative individuals and an exemplary background in recruiting and retaining talented staff; track record of building staff skills and experience and preparing the division for growth and more creative approaches.
• Superior interpersonal skills associated with building strong, authentic, collaborative relationships with colleagues at all levels, external to and across the organization, and earning trust by working effectively across the functions.
• An ability to develop professionals by providing precise and direct feedback motivated by a desire to help individuals grow while advancing the university's goals and the team's needs.
• Knowledge of and experience using data to drive strategy; ability to shift priorities in response to results and trends; and highly skilled in planning, critical thinking, and analysis.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

Chartered in 1917 and opened in 1925, the University is the founding institution of higher learning in South Texas. It is preparing for its second century as it builds on the tradition of excellence that has defined its first 100 years. Shortly after beginning life as South Texas State Teachers College, the University grew to develop various cornerstone academic programs, including programs in agriculture and engineering. As its mission expanded, the institution’s name has changed to reflect its evolving scope. Its first name change, Texas College of Arts and Industries, came in 1929. In 1967, the name was changed to Texas A&I University. The University became a member of the Texas A&M University System in 1989 and, in 1993, changed its name to Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Texas A&M-Kingsville seeks to provide quality undergraduate and graduate programs for students of all ages through a judicious blend of liberal and career education programs designed to provide an intellectually challenging education with high academic performance standards. The University is committed to its mission of teaching, research, and service in South Texas to advance knowledge and regional development.

More than 62 percent of Texas A&M-Kingsville's approximately 6,553 students are from South Texas, a reflection of the University’s deep commitment to serving the region. The student population also includes students representing 40 states and 35 countries. About 80 percent of students are undergraduates. Ethnically, the campus reflects the area's demographics—70 percent of students are Hispanic, 15 percent white, and 4 percent African American. About 9 percent are international students.

U.S. News and World Reports ranks Texas A&M-Kingsville among the top four percent of public universities in the nation when it comes to social mobility. The publication also ranks the University among the top 15 public universities in Texas. Javelina alumni graduate prepared to positively impact their communities with courage and integrity. In 2023, PayScale recognized Texas A&M-Kingsville graduates as having the highest earning potential of all college graduates in South Texas and the 5^th highest among all public Texas universities.

In 2023, the University experienced a record year for research and fundraising. The Texas A&M University-Kingsville Foundation raised $31.1M from more than 1,500 donors in 2023. Additionally, the University received its largest-ever grant—a $20M award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That same year, the University experienced a 277% increase in external research funding and a 60% increase in annualized active awards. As of May 31, the University has received $28M in annualized funds.

Texas A&M-Kingsville recently refreshed its 2022 – 2027 strategic plan. This plan was carefully created by cross-sections of the university community through multiple focus group meetings with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Foundation Board. The University’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan can be viewed here: https://www.tamuk.edu/strategicplan/index.html.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The Vice President of University Advancement and Chief Foundation Officer Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, complete CV, and references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted before Friday, August 23^rd. For more information, please contact Parker Executive Search:

Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal
Jack McGrew, Associate
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875 Atlanta, GA 30328
janderson@parkersearch.com || jmcgrew@parkersearch.com
(678) 775-4564

Texas A&M University-Kingsville is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is conducive to the personal and professional development of each individual student and employee. It is our firm commitment to ensure that equal employment opportunity, equal treatment, and equal access to programs and activities will be provided to Texas A&M University-Kingsville's students, employees, prospective employees, and the public. To achieve this goal, discrimination based on a person's race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or genetic information is strictly prohibited as defined by federal law and state statute. These protections extend to employment and admissions decisions.