President, University of Alaska Foundation and Chief Development Officer, University of Alaska

University of Alaska System

Overview

The University of Alaska Foundation (UA Foundation) seeks an accomplished and visionary leader to serve as its next president and as chief development officer for the University of Alaska (UA) system. Based in Alaska, with offices in Anchorage and Fairbanks, this role offers a unique and exciting opportunity to shape and expand philanthropy across the university system in support of its mission and priorities.

The UA Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the UA system's mission. It provides essential infrastructure and leadership, overseeing the acceptance, management, and stewardship of philanthropic contributions. Beyond its fiduciary role, the UA Foundation offers strategic guidance, coordination, and technical expertise in fundraising and development, supporting the unique needs of the UA system's three separately accredited universities.

The president collaborates closely with the UA Foundation Board of Directors, UA system president, and chancellors of the three universities within UA to develop and execute system-wide strategies for growing and sustaining private donations. As a steward of the university system's philanthropic resources, the president ensures the UA Foundation fulfills its mission through prudent management, investment, and allocation of funds, always honoring donor intent. The president aligns the efforts and optimizes the resources of the foundation in support of the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and University of Alaska Southeast.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

This dual role position serves as president of the University of Alaska Foundation, reporting to the foundation's Board of Directors, and as the University of Alaska's chief development officer, reporting directly to the University of Alaska president. Additionally, the chief development officer engages and collaborates directly with the University of Alaska vice president of university relations for university system-related matters and serves as a member of the university's senior leadership team.

The main responsibilities of the president and chief development officer are:

Serve as chief executive officer of the UA Foundation.
Oversee the day-to-day business and operations of the UA Foundation, including governance, board relations, compliance with legal requirements, and budget development and management.
Support the universities in their development efforts and collaborate with the universities to assess, plan, and implement system-level and university fundraising priorities and initiatives.
The president leads and executes strategic planning efforts (see Strategic Plan 2023-2028) in collaboration with the Board of Directors and UA president to ensure alignment with UA system development priorities.
Responsible for communicating to the university system the UA Foundation's strategic plans and priorities as approved by the Board of Directors.
Work with the UA Foundation's chief financial officer to ensure policies and decisions meet and serve the aligned needs of the UA Foundation and the university system.
Represent the UA Foundation and university with various and diverse individuals and groups, including alumni, students, families, community leaders, businesses, donors, and government representatives.
As chief development officer, serve as senior advisor on development to the UA president.

Ideal Candidate

Collaborative leadership style and highly professional supervisory skills that facilitate the continued development of a high-performing team.
A passionate advocate for the UA and inspires and engages diverse audiences by telling its distinctive stories.
A high-energy and enthusiastic proven fundraiser with a growth mindset who will stimulate a robust culture of philanthropy at the UA.
Professional knowledge and experience in all aspects of the advancement paradigm as well as an understanding of current and emerging advancement best practices and a keen sense of current and developing trends in higher education advancement.
An executive with business and financial acumen who can positively affect efficient operations of the UA Foundation.
Executive presence and effective communicator with equally strong listening skills and excellent presentation capabilities.
Able to engage effectively and authentically with a wide range of internal and external constituents in a wide variety of settings.
Alaska connections and personal knowledge of the state or a strong interest in relocating to Alaska and embracing its unique culture and environment.
Experience leading an institutionally related foundation and/or working within a university system structure.
Fundraising and campaign experience (higher education preferred).
A strong strategist who is creative, innovative, entrepreneurial, and action oriented.
Experience working with federal and state legislatures and knowledge of political and appropriations processes.
A leader committed to diversity, equity, and an inclusive environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources and can contribute fully to the UA Foundation's success.

Qualifications

Commensurate experience (at least 10 years) including, but not limited to, successful leadership qualifications in a senior administrative capacity; demonstrated success in fundraising; and/or experience in universities, foundations, and working with endowments.
Proven ability to develop and inspire a team of accomplished advancement professionals in a collegial manner with a demonstrated capacity for teamwork.
Commitment to and understanding of public higher education and development and fundraising activities in higher education.
Post-graduate degree or substantial leadership experience preferred.
(Highly desired) Earned a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential.

Key Opportunities

Provide the highest level of fundraising support and service to the UA system.
Expand and increase philanthropy for the UA system.
Facilitate exemplary asset management and investment performance.
Communicate the impact of private giving.
Foster system-wide collaboration for advancement.
Provide leadership for system-wide fundraising priorities and initiatives.
Partner with UA Foundation board.
Empower and inspire the UA foundation and university advancement teams.
Value and embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Additional Information

About the University of Alaska Foundation

Mission: The University of Alaska Foundation seeks, secures, and stewards philanthropic support in partnership with the University of Alaska system to help shape Alaska's future.

Vision: The University of Alaska Foundation inspires philanthropy for the University of Alaska system to make a global impact for all generations to come.

Values: Enthusiastic advocacy, Inspired generosity, Wise stewardship, Meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The UA Foundation is a private nonprofit corporation that operates as an institutionally related foundation. It was established in 1974 to solicit, manage, and invest donations for the UA's exclusive benefit. The Board of Regents of the University of Alaska recognizes, through policy, the UA Foundation as the entity that manages private gifts made to support all three universities of the UA system. The UA Foundation works closely with each university and with community partners and stakeholders exclusively for the benefit of the university system.

Services at the UA Foundation include investment management and accounting for over 2,000 distinct funds and processes approximately $22 million in gifts annually to ensure that gifts are implemented as donors intend.

The UA Foundation facilitates giving by approximately 4,500 individual, corporate, and foundation donors per year, supporting scholarships, research, program support, and other strategic philanthropic activities at the three universities. The UA Foundation's expert staff works in cooperation with the university fundraising teams to invite donors to co-create their vision for the future of Alaska. The UA Foundation assists donors and their professional advisors in making gifts through trusts, wills, insurance policies, retirement plans, real estate, and similar vehicles.

The UA Foundation manages the disbursement of over $20 million in philanthropic expenditures annually across the university system. Donations averaging $22 million each year are accepted for every area of the UA's mission. The UA Foundation manages the process and provides support to the individual universities and their committees to facilitate the award of over $6 million in scholarship support annually.

In fiscal year 2024, the UA Foundation had over $550 million in assets under management and distributed $31.0 million in financial support to the university and its students. The Consolidated Endowment Fund (CEF), jointly invested with the University of Alaska Land Grant Trust, was the largest asset class with a market value of $502 million on June 30, 2024. The CEF is managed by Cambridge Associates LLC under the outsourced chief investment officer model with oversight by the UA Foundation board's investment committee. The returns net of all fees/expenses for the trailing 5 years ending June 30, 2024, were 8.6% vs. the target benchmark of 7.9% and outperformed 64% of peers.

The UA system, with leadership and management by the UA Foundation, recently completed its first-ever system-wide comprehensive campaign. During the eight-year (FY17-FY24) campaign period, $277 million was raised (exceeding the $200 million campaign goal) from nearly 22,000 donors. Learn more at universityforalaska.com.

The UA Foundation is separate and distinct from the UA and is governed by its own self-perpetuating board of directors. The board is composed of prominent Alaskans, UA system president, two members of the UA Board of Regents, and three university chancellors.

The UA Foundation president leads a staff of 33, including professionals in finance and accounting, development, donor relations (scholarships, fund and gift services, and communications), data services, and board relations. The president works closely and in partnership with the three universities' advancement teams.

About the University of Alaska System

Learn about the UA system and its three universities and 13 community campuses at:

University of Alaska system

Applications and Nominations

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a successful candidate is identified. Application review will begin January 27, 2025, to ensure consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time on January 26, 2025.

✍ Applications must be submitted through the UA Careers site and must include:

1. Letter of interest that addresses how the candidate meets the Search Committee's qualifications as described in the position profile.

2. Resume or curriculum vitae.

3. Four professional references with email addresses and phone numbers provided (references will not be contacted without prior permission from the applicant).

To nominate a colleague or for a confidential discussion about the position, please contact Meg Nordale (board and search committee chair) at meg@ghemm.com.

Position Details:

This position can be based at either of the UA Foundation offices, located in Anchorage, AK, or Fairbanks, AK. Flexible on-site/hybrid work arrangements may be considered in accordance with UA regulations. This is a full-time, exempt position with both a competitive salary and a full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental, and vision care coverage. Compensation is commensurate with the experience required for the job.

This position is designated as an officer of the university or senior administrator at the discretion of the president.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu.

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.

To apply, please visit: https://careers.alaska.edu/jobs/president-university-of-alaska-foundation-and-chief-development-officer-university-of-alaska-anchorage-alaska-united-states-fairbanks

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President, University of Alaska Foundation and Chief Development Officer, University of Alaska