Employment
Vice President for Institutional Advancement: Salem Academy and College
Salem Academy and College, the oldest continuously operating school for girls and women in the United States, seeks an experienced, energetic, and visionary Vice President for Institutional Advancement. The VPIA is a pivotal leadership position in the cabinet of Salem’s newly appointed President, Dr. Jill Fleuriet, who begins her presidency on July 1, 2026. Dr. Fleuriet’s appointment will advance Salem’s recent resurgence which has grown from its distinctive approach to education and the powerful impact of its alumnae on the communities they serve. The new VPIA will build on over a decade of fundraising success and will be a partner in extending Salem’s influence and financial well-being.
Position Summary
The Vice President for Institutional Advancement is appointed by the President and is directly responsible to the President for the strategy, planning, management, and coordination of all institutional development programs, including capital campaigns, special gifts, annual giving, deferred giving, prospect research, and alumnae engagement. The VPIA is responsible for leading, directing, and achieving the institution’s fundraising plan, and will work with the President to establish the institution’s vision for engagement and philanthropy. The VPIA must be exceptional at building relationships with alumnae, donors, foundation and corporate philanthropies, and local leaders. The VPIA manages the advancement team and a portfolio of donors and brings a data focus to strategy, planning, operations, and assessment. The VPIA coordinates with the President and key Cabinet leaders on revenue projection and planning. The VPIA’s responsibilities extend to those duties stated below and all other duties assigned by the President.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and Management
- Provide leadership and support to advance the institution’s vision, mission, and strategic goals
- With the President and other cabinet leaders, develop and implement a strategy for advancement that draws on Salem’s distinctive strengths and achieves revenue goals.
- Provide oversight for all advancement and alumnae programs, including: annual giving, corporation and foundation relations, alumnae relations, donor relations, communications, public relations, special events, and prospect research for the Academy and College.
- Supervise all advancement and alumnae engagement staff members.
Strategic Partnerships
- Partner with other cabinet members in raising the visibility of Salem among potential supporters and donors.
- Staff Board of Trustee committees as assigned and maintain excellent working relationships with board members
Fundraising and Donor Engagement
- Build a data-informed approach to goalsetting, donor identification, team management, and fundraising results that focuses on ROI.
- While maintaining strong alumnae giving, increase giving from foundations, corporations, and friends of Salem Academy and College
- Outline, plan, and execute the institution’s growth plan for endowment funds, annual giving, and reunion giving programs.
- Lead the planning and execution of the current Be Remarkable comprehensive campaign, ensure that the Campaign Executive Committee is successful, and complete the campaign on time.
- Supervise all development aspects of any future comprehensive capital campaign projects
- Manage a portfolio of donors
Executive Strategic Contributions
- Work effectively with the Advancement committee of the board, and with other board members, to ensure that the board is fully informed about and appropriately engaged in Salem’s advancement work.
- Guide and support the President in the President’s fundraising efforts.
Qualifications
Required qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree required, post-baccalaureate credentials associated with advancement preferred
- A minimum of ten (10) years experience in advancement, with a preference for experience in higher education, independent school, or non-profit fundraising. CFRE certification is preferred
- Experience working with major donors, significant foundations, and corporate giving
- An understanding of and commitment to women’s education and to the distinctive nature of Salem Academy and College
- Skilled at data analysis and using data to identify donors, generate revenue, and track return on investment
- A proven record of cultivating donors, raising funds, and stewarding donor relations
- Experience supervising other staff and ensuring that they achieve their goals
- A track record of developing fundraising strategies that align with institutional mission, strategic plan, and operational needs
- Track record in securing new donors
- The ability to represent the interests of the advancement team in institutional discussions about resources, goals, and direction
- Highly effective written and spoken communication skills for diverse audiences
About Salem Academy and College
Salem Academy and College is the oldest continuously operating educational institution for girls and women in the country. Since 1772, the institution has engaged in transformational change to innovate women’s education. Founded with the mission of making education accessible to all, Salem has a rich 254-year-old history and a long-standing track record of educating students who are prepared to make a bold impact locally, nationally and globally. Salem Academy is the nation’s only all-girls boarding and day high school with a leadership focus located on a college campus. Salem College is the nation’s only liberal arts college exclusively dedicated to developing the next generation of health leaders. Our graduates are committed to making the world a better, healthier and more equitable place.
To apply
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter outlining their interest in and preparation for this position, together with a resume and a list of not more than five references.
Please upload materials to the application link on Salem Academy’s or Salem College’s employment website.
- Salem Academy: https://salemacademy.com/about/employment/
- Salem College: https://www.salem.edu/about/employment/
Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
For questions, please reach out to Tonya Deem at tonya.deem@salem.edu
Physical Functions
While performing the responsibilities of the Vice President of Institutional Advancement the employee is required to sit for varying lengths of time; bend, reach, lift, push, and pull up to 25 pounds; occasionally stand, walk, and kneel and regularly ascend/descend stairs; use hands and fingers to handle or feel and manipulate keys on a keyboard; perform extended periods of work at a computer workstation, view a computer monitor; perceive sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and receive detailed information through oral communication; express and exchange ideas by means of spoken word; and work in an office setting.
Salem College is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.