University of the Pacific invites nominations and applications for the position of Assistant Vice President for Development.


University of the Pacific

University of the Pacific is a nationally ranked comprehensive university and California's first chartered institution of higher learning. Established in 1851, Pacific has nearly 6,300 students and ten schools and colleges across three campuses in northern California.

The majority of students and the NCAA Division 1 athletics program are based on the Stockton Campus, often cited as one of the nation's most beautiful college campuses. The Sacramento Campus in California's state capital is home to the McGeorge School of Law, the new School of Health Sciences, and an array of graduate programs, while the renowned Dugoni School of Dentistry is based on the downtown San Francisco Campus. 

Pacific takes pride in providing the highly personalized and caring educational, social and residential environments of a small college combined with the choices and opportunities of a major comprehensive university.


About the Role

The Assistant Vice President for Development (AVP) provides leadership and strategic direction to secure individual and institutional support at the major and principal gifts levels to advance Pacific’s mission and strategic priorities; is responsible for the leading and supervising Development and Unit Officers as assigned and Estate and Gift Planning staff; is directly involved in the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of gifts; effectively communicates the mission and values of the university; has a working knowledge of current best practices in all aspects of fundraising; and collaborates with colleagues in the Development and Alumni Relations and across the campus.

The AVP reports to the Senior Associate Vice President for Development, assists with strategic planning and implementation of fundraising priorities, ensures related administrative oversight and is responsible for personally managing a portfolio of donors and prospects.


Reporting relationships

Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President, direct reports include:

  • Assistant Dean of Development for Engineering
  • Assistant Dean of Development for College of the Pacific
  • Assistant Dean of Development for Eberhardt School of Business
  • Assistant Dean of Development for Conservatory of Music
  • Assistant Dean of Development for Benerd School of Education (TBH/Assigned)
  • Assistant Dean of Development for Student Life (TBH)
  • Senior Planned Giving Specialist


Essential Functions

The successful Assistant Vice President Development candidate will:

  • Provide strategic oversight, leadership and coaching in developing fundraising business plans and standards to achieve fundraising goals.
  • Supervise frontline development officers for the following schools and units: School of Engineering and Computer Science, Eberhardt School of Business, Benerd School of Education, Conservatory of Music, College of the Pacific, Student Life and Estate and Gift Planning.
  • Lead, advise, and inspire a team of diverse development professionals to promote awareness, enhance relationships and generate support for Pacific. Specifically:
    • Set activity and solicitation goals and evaluate prospect development initiatives.
    • Develop identification and cultivation strategies to move donors closer to closing gifts.
    • Maintain adherence to moves management tracking and metrics.
    • Ensure staff maintain donor data tracking and CRM efficiency.
    • Track staff progress and determine appropriate metrics for evaluation.
    • Provide guidance to Deans, faculty, and the campus’ senior leadership.
    • Develop and evaluate annual business plans and budgets.
    • Maintain a portfolio of prospects and donors associated with a school and college as well as special projects.
    • Create a positive environment that will expedite the efforts, and maximize the impact, of processes undertaken by development team members.
    • Lead planning processes for special project initiatives throughout the University; the Development programs and activities that directly advance and enrich the division’s mission, vision, values, goals, and objectives.
    • Develop a fully integrated annual University Development business plan and annual budget for school and unit development programs and estate and planned giving to successfully achieve the fundraising goals and benchmarks.
    • Ensure that all business plans and their respective budgets are inline with and in support of Pacific’s Strategic Plan.
    • Collaborate with leadership team members, the Senior Associate Vice President and Deans to review and analyze the ongoing effectiveness of fundraising programs and staff.
    • Ensure that academic and student life unit development priorities and stewardship initiatives are integrated into the division’s strategic plan and are consistent with Pacific’s Strategic Plan.
    • Establish and develop objectives and charges for (and lead when appropriate) committees and task forces to focus on strategic campus-wide objectives and opportunities that advance identified fundraising initiatives.
    • Maintain a consistent presence with individuals and community-based organizations whose (philanthropic) missions closely align with Pacific’s mission and represent the University at various community events, activities, and professional organizations, as requested.
    • Ensure that volunteer councils and organizations for the various academic and campus units are integrated with a broad-based volunteer structure for university-wide programs.
    • Perform other related duties as assigned.

University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty and staff.


Minimum qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree.
  • Seven (7) years of experience in fundraising with progressively responsible management and leadership experience.
  • Seven (7) years of higher education or nonprofit fundraising and campaign experience.


Preferred qualifications

  • Master’s Degree
  • Demonstrated knowledge and proven success in fundraising and campaigns.
  • Proven record of success in soliciting major and principal gifts.
  • Ability to work independently under limited guidance while leading, managing, motivating, and supervising staff.
  • Outstanding verbal communication skills; excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills.
  • Demonstrated planning and successful implementation of higher education campaigns.
  • Demonstrated ability to write concept papers, proposals, and grants.
  • Ability to develop strategic plans, analyze fundraising results and lead the creation of stewardship plans.
  • Solid negotiation, public relations, and strategic planning skills.
  • Ability to lead others, evidenced by strong supervisory skills and ability to lead teams and individuals to achieve collaborative results.
  • Excellent organization, presentation, and event management skills.
  • Ability to develop and monitor budgets and schedules.
  • Ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies
  • Positive attitude, proven ability to work successfully with diverse populations and demonstrated commitment to promote and enhance diversity and inclusion.
  • Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
  • Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting.
  • Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.


Applications and Inquiries

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume, and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile.

WittKieffer is assisting University of the Pacific in this search, which will remain open until an appointment is made. Applications should be submitted using the WittKieffer's candidate portal.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Ben Haden | Kati Sweaney | Eleanor Vogelsang
Email: UOPAVPDEV@wittkieffer.com

WittKieffer is the premier executive search and advisory firm developing inclusive, impactful leadership teams for organizations that improve quality of life. For more than 50 years, we have operated exclusively at the intersection of not-for-profit and for-profit healthcare delivery, science, and education – the Quality of Life Ecosystem. Through our expert executive search services as well as our Professional Search, DEI, Interim Leadership, Board Services and Leadership Advisory solutions, we strengthen organizations that make the world better.

University of the Pacific is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity. In compliance with applicable law and its own policy, Pacific is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff and does not discriminate in its hiring of faculty and staff, or in the provision of its employment benefits to its faculty and staff on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sex/gender, marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression or mental or physical disability. The university will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with a disability.