Vice President of Advancement

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION : Vice President of Advancement

DEPARTMENT : University Advancement

REPORTS TO : University President and Sr. Vice President & Chief of Staff

WORK SCHEDULE : Fully on campus

POSITION SUMMARY :

Point Park University seeks a sophisticated, entrepreneurial, and externally focused advancement leader to serve as Vice President of Advancement. Reporting jointly to the President and SVP & Chief of Staff, the Vice President will help lead the University's next phase of philanthropic growth and institutional advancement.

This is not a traditional advancement role. Point Park University is increasingly positioned at the intersection of higher education, the arts, workforce development, experiential entertainment, and Downtown Pittsburgh revitalization. The University's growing civic visibility, strategic partnerships, and creative economy initiatives have created new opportunities for transformational philanthropy and institutional investment.

The Vice President of Advancement will serve as the University's senior fundraising leader, responsible for cultivating and securing major and principal gifts, strengthening trustee and donor engagement, expanding institutional partnerships, and helping position Point Park for a future comprehensive campaign aligned with the University's centennial in 2033.

The successful candidate will be a relationship-driven leader capable of engaging high-net-worth individuals, foundations, corporate partners, civic leaders, and alumni around Point Park's evolving institutional story and long-term vision.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead major and principal gift fundraising strategies for the University.
• Manage and cultivate a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects.
• Partner closely with University leadership and the Board of Trustees to strengthen philanthropic engagement and strategic relationships.
• Help expand the University's network of major donors, foundation partners, and civic supporters.
• Support the development of a future comprehensive capital campaign.
• Represent the University in high-level external meetings, donor cultivation opportunities, and strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with Advancement staff to strengthen pipeline management, stewardship, and fundraising operations.
• Advance fundraising priorities connected to Point Park's strategic initiatives, including downtown development, creative economy partnerships, student opportunity, and institutional growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Significant progressively senior experience in advancement, fundraising, external relations, nonprofit leadership, or related fields.
• Demonstrated success securing major and principal gifts.
• Experience working effectively with trustees, executives, donors, and community leaders.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and strategic leadership skills.
• Experience with comprehensive campaigns or large-scale fundraising initiatives required.

Leadership Profile

The ideal candidate will be:

• Entrepreneurial and externally engaged
• Relationship-driven and collaborative
• Comfortable operating in fast-moving and evolving environments
• Strategically minded and results-oriented
• Skilled at connecting institutional vision with philanthropic opportunity

The successful candidate must be able to operate credibly across philanthropy, higher education, civic leadership, and external partnerships while helping translate institutional momentum into long-term investment and impact.

About Point Park University

Located in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a dynamic, urban institution recognized for its leadership in the arts, experiential learning, and workforce development. The University is increasingly playing a visible role in the future of Downtown Pittsburgh through strategic partnerships, creative economy initiatives, real estate development, and civic engagement.

With nationally recognized programs in the performing arts, strong industry partnerships, and an entrepreneurial institutional culture, Point Park is pursuing a bold vision for its next century, one that positions the University as both a cultural anchor and a driver of innovation, opportunity, and regional impact.

Point Park University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.