Our Ability Jobs

The Assistant Vice President of Development (AVP) collaborates closely with members of Pratt Institute’s administrative leaders, academic leadership, and trustees, representing the Institute’s interests as a senior individual giving focused fundraiser and team leader. This position reports to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement (VPIA).

This newly defined position will be responsible for charting a path of ambitious growth in Pratt’s major, principal, and planned giving programs in support of the Institute's vision and reflective of its global prominence as a leading art and design school. They will also provide fundraising leadership for Pratt’s six schools in partnership with deans and other academic leadership, supporting these senior leaders in their own fundraising work to help maximize Pratt’s philanthropic potential.

The AVP will manage a portfolio of major and principal gift donors and prospects as assigned; supervise and grow an existing team of frontline fundraisers and support staff; and partner closely with deans, department chairs, program leaders, and administrative leadership to build and grow a successful fundraising operation. They will work closely with the VPIA to build a cohesive and effective team that delivers consistent growth in contributed revenue from individual donors and helps develop and lead multi-year fundraising initiatives for programs and assets as needed and assigned. In addition, and as a partner and deputy to the VP, the AVP will play a key role in the architecture and execution of current and future fundraising campaigns.

This position will supervise a team of five; all direct reports, and is responsible for providing strategic oversight and management of the Institute’s individual major giving programs in all forms–including major and principal gifts and gift planning. The AVP will also work closely with the donor relations team. They will serve as a key member of the Institutional Advancement leadership team.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee members of the major giving and planned giving teams; ensuring through mentorship, support, tools, and clear direction that they are meeting defined expectations and metrics designed to help grow the Institute’s fundraising results.

• Personally manage a portfolio of prospects and donors, with the goal of securing major ($50,000 ) and principal ($1,000,000 ) level gifts in support of the Institute.

• Establish activity, solicitation, and fundraising goals for direct reports and their fundraising teams and manage staff for results. Work collaboratively with the Prospect Management and Research team to evaluate portfolio structure with an eye toward increased fundraising results.

• Co-create a plan with the VPIA to increase twofold major, principal, and planned giving results over a five year period.

• In collaboration with Vice President of Institutional Advancement as well as on their own, work with Academic and Institute leadership (Deans and Chairs, VPs, and others) to establish and embrace a culture of philanthropy; define fundable institutional priorities and initiatives; identify major, principal, and planned gift prospects for their respective schools and/or departments; and move these prospects through the fundraising cycle.

• Design together with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement current and future comprehensive campaign efforts; including defining priorities, inventory, timeline, volunteer recruitment, and what success looks like.

• Participate in board meetings as requested; and support committee work as necessary including but not limited to: Development and Communications Committee and the Committee on Trusteeship. Attend Board of Trustee meetings and retreats when invited.

• Maintain familiarity with important issues relating to higher education, fundraising and financial planning, and have a desire to stay abreast of new trends and ideas.

• Adhere to policies and procedures established by Pratt Institute, CASE, AFP, and other professional fundraiser supporting organizations, ensuring work is donor centered and meets the ethical standards as defined by the development/advancement industry

• Collaborate closely with fellow members of the Advancement Leadership Team to support and guide the fundraising efforts of the Institute.

• Work in close consultation with divisions outside of Institutional Advancement to further fundraising at Pratt Institute, including but not limited to: communications and marketing, student affairs, and academic affairs.

• Represent the Institutional Advancement department at internal and external meetings.

• Be available to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel as needed at least 30 percent of the time.

• Perform other duties as deemed appropriate by the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.