Associate Vice President Social Sciences and Human Development Advancement

Associate Vice President, Social Sciences and Human Development, Advancement

Category

Charles River Campus --> Professional

Job Location

Boston, MA, United States

Tracking Code

26500541141014

Posted Date

10/20/2026

Salary Grade

Grade 52

Expected Hiring Range Minimum

$250,000.00

Expected Hiring Range Maximum

$300,000.00

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training and internal pay comparison. The above hiring range represents the University''s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Type

Full-Time/Regular

Boston University Advancement

Boston University Advancement is at a pivotal moment, guided by new leadership and a clear strategic framework for growth and impact. Our work centers on three core priorities: securing $500 million in philanthropy annually; deepening relationships with a strategically defined segment of alumni and donors; and strengthening the organizational foundation while launching focused priority areas across the University.

Advancement is evolving into a highly collaborative, matrixed model that integrates new University leadership, regional engagement, and the distinctive strengths of BU's schools and colleges. With more than 250 advancement professionals, the organization is building the capacity, partnerships, and culture required to deliver sustained philanthropic momentum and institutional impact.

Associate Vice President, Social Sciences and Human Development Advancement

Boston University's strengths in the humanities, social sciences, education, communication, arts, global studies, theology, and human development provide important opportunities to advance knowledge, strengthen communities, and address complex societal challenges. The Associate Vice President (AVP), Social Sciences & Human Development Advancement, will lead the philanthropic strategy that connects these academic strengths with transformative philanthropic investment.

Reporting to the Vice President, Schools & Colleges Advancement, the AVP serves as the senior advancement leader for Boston University's Social Sciences & Human Development portfolio, providing strategic direction for fundraising across its academic schools, colleges, and related interdisciplinary initiatives. The AVP will translate academic priorities, faculty expertise, and institutional ambitions into compelling philanthropic opportunities that advance teaching, research, creative expression, student success, and societal impact.

The AVP partners closely with academic deans, University leadership, faculty, advancement colleagues, alumni, donors, and volunteer leaders to develop and execute integrated fundraising strategies that advance school-based and University-wide priorities. A central focus of the role is to catalyze interdisciplinary philanthropy by connecting academic expertise, donor interests, and institutional priorities around compelling "Big Ideas" that address society's most pressing challenges.

As a member of the Schools & Colleges Advancement senior leadership team, the AVP will bring strategic vision, fundraising expertise, and collaborative leadership to build philanthropic partnerships, advance principal and transformational gifts, and strengthen support for Boston University's academic mission and long-term institutional priorities.

Position Responsibilities

Fundraising and Principal Gift Leadership (45%)

• Lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of leadership, principal, and transformational gift prospects across the Social Sciences & Human Development portfolio, maintaining a personal portfolio of high-capacity donors.
• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies supporting education, communication, the arts, humanities, global studies, theology, social sciences, human development, faculty excellence, student success, and interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Build and deepen relationships with philanthropic leaders, foundation executives, arts patrons, media and communications leaders, nonprofit executives, international affairs leaders, and influential alumni whose interests align with BU's academic strengths and priorities.
• Translate complex academic, research, and creative initiatives into compelling cases for support, fundraising proposals, and tailored donor engagement strategies.
• Partner with the Principal Gift team, academic leaders, faculty, and advancement colleagues to identify, develop, and advance principal and transformational gift opportunities that support priorities within the portfolio and across the University.

Strategic Portfolio Leadership and Convergence Initiatives (25%)

• Set the strategic direction for advancement across the Social Sciences & Human Development portfolio, aligning fundraising priorities with school, college, and University goals.
• Lead the development and advancement of interdisciplinary fundraising initiatives and "Big Ideas" that connect academic disciplines, schools, colleges, and research units around shared opportunities for philanthropic investment.
• Identify opportunities that leverage BU's strengths in the humanities, social sciences, education, communication, arts, theology, global studies, and human development to address complex societal challenges and advance institutional priorities.
• Partner with academic deans, faculty leaders, and University leadership to translate emerging academic priorities, research strengths, creative endeavors, and institutional ambitions into compelling fundraising initiatives.
• Lead portfolio-level planning and prioritization, identifying opportunities to strengthen donor pipelines, advance campaign priorities, and maximize philanthropic potential across the academic ecosystem.
• Represent the portfolio in University-wide campaign planning, strategic discussions, and cross-school initiatives, advocating for opportunities that advance both portfolio and institutional objectives.

Advancement Leadership, Volunteer Engagement, and Partnerships (15%)

• Provide strategic oversight of integrated advancement efforts across the portfolio, including donor relations, stewardship, alumni engagement, annual giving, volunteer leadership, and events.
• Partner with school-based advancement teams to develop coordinated strategies that strengthen prospect pipelines, deepen constituent engagement, and advance fundraising outcomes.
• Build and strengthen advisory boards, volunteer leadership networks, and external partnerships that expand BU's reach, influence, and philanthropic potential.
• Guide the development of high-impact cultivation and engagement opportunities that connect donors and volunteers with faculty expertise, research, creative work, student experiences, and institutional priorities.
• Promote a coordinated, high-quality donor experience across schools, colleges, and advancement teams, ensuring that engagement strategies reflect shared priorities and reinforce long-term philanthropic relationships.

Leadership, Staff Development, and Operations (15%)

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to advancement professionals supporting schools and units within the Social Sciences & Human Development portfolio, establishing clear priorities, goals, and expectations.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and fundraising excellence, strengthening coordination across school-based teams and University-wide advancement functions.
• Support staff development, talent growth, performance management, and organizational effectiveness to build a high-performing advancement operation equipped to meet evolving institutional priorities.
• Oversee portfolio-level planning, prospect management, and performance assessment, using fundraising results and pipeline insights to inform decisions, allocate resources, and improve effectiveness.
• Serve as a senior advisor to the Vice President, Schools & Colleges Advancement, on fundraising strategy, leadership engagement, and emerging philanthropic opportunities related to the humanities, social sciences, education, communication, arts, theology, global studies, and human development.
• Collaborate with fellow Associate Vice Presidents, Assistant Deans, and other advancement leaders to advance shared fundraising goals, coordinate institutional priorities, and strengthen the effectiveness of University-wide advancement efforts.

Required Skills

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, fundraising, development, or a related field, with demonstrated success securing major gifts and advancing complex fundraising initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic fundraising plans aligned with institutional priorities and organizational goals.
• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward high-capacity donors and build lasting relationships with alumni, philanthropic leaders, and other key stakeholders.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate fundraising opportunities, assess prospect pipelines, and make data-informed decisions.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including the ability to develop compelling cases for support, present fundraising strategies, and communicate effectively with senior leaders, donors, and volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships, influence stakeholders, and advance collaborative initiatives across complex organizations.
• Advanced project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and lead multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Demonstrated leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently while exercising discretion in support of institutional priorities.

Additional Qualifications

• Master's degree or relevant advanced training preferred.
• Experience in higher education advancement, particularly within the humanities, social sciences, education, communication, arts, theology, global studies, or related academic disciplines.
• Demonstrated success securing principal, transformational, or other significant philanthropic gifts in support of academic, research, creative, student success, or institutional priorities.
• Experience partnering with academic deans, faculty leaders, executive leadership, and volunteer leaders to develop and advance fundraising strategies.
• Experience leading interdisciplinary fundraising initiatives that connect multiple schools, colleges, departments, or organizational units.

But that's not all we're looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect, because we value every member's contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement, both as individuals and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

To apply and learn more about Advancement at Boston University and other job opportunities, please stop by the Advancement Talent website: https://www.bu.edu/advancement-talent/.

We recognize that no candidate brings every experience or qualification to a role. If you''re excited about this opportunity and believe your skills and experiences could contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply, even if your background doesn''t align perfectly with every qualification listed. We value diverse perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking, and we''re committed to building a team where everyone can thrive.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural, protective, or culturally significant hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If you require reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796.