New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) (https://www.njit.edu/) seeks an experienced leader with the motivation and skill to create a strong culture of philanthropy and collaboration throughout campus and the NJIT alumni communities to serve as the next Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations. This unique professional opportunity offers an ability to shape the future of NJIT by building a bolder organization, being the liaison to the Foundation and its Directors, shepherding a capital campaign, and supporting the ambitious vision of the NJIT Strategic Plan 2030 (https://www.njit.edu/strategicplan/sites/njit.edu.strategicplan/files/NJIT2030_Strategic-Plan_InnovationNexus.pdf). Applications, inquiries, and nominations are invited.

One of only 35 polytechnic universities in the United States, the New Jersey Institute of Technology is a top-tier research university that catalyzes economic growth and prepares students to become leaders in the technology-dependent economy of the 21st century. NJIT is one of only 131 universities rated an “R1” research university by the Carnegie Classification®, which indicates the highest level of research activity and has a $2.8 billion annual economic impact on the State of New Jersey. NJIT is also the second-highest ranked public university in the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2024 list of the Best Colleges in the U.S. Further fortifying NJIT’s position as a school with among the highest return on investment, NJIT is ranked the No. 1 public school in New Jersey for net-price value 10 years post-graduation by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, No. 14 “Best College” by Money, top 2% for alumni mid-career earnings by PayScale and No. 33 “Best Value College” by The Princeton Review.

The vice president will join a thriving university that continues to rise in the rankings and grow in national and international reputation. Like the university's rise in the rankings, the vice president will grow the development and alumni relations (DAR) program in preparation for its next capital campaign. The vice president will assess and evaluate DAR's organizational structure and infrastructure and create a forward-looking path that significantly elevates and grows the program to prepare for a transformational campaign.

The vice president will be a strong leader internally and externally for the university. Reporting to the NJIT President, the vice president will be the President of the NJIT Foundation, will oversee the Alumni Association, and work closely with the NJIT Board of Trustees to advance their short- and long-term objectives. The vice president will maintain close and collaborative working relationships with the provost, deans, and administrative leaders, providing guidance and maximizing philanthropic impact in each of their areas of financial need. NJIT seeks a true visionary, entrepreneurial leader, and change agent who pursues innovative solutions grounded in sound advancement strategies and tactics.

The vice president will be both an inspiring and strategic executive officer and a principal fundraiser with a focus on maximizing philanthropic impact through best practices, effective communication, and clear linkages of strategies to goals and objectives. The vice president will further the ‘fundraising culture’ throughout the entire university and help key academic and administrative leaders know it is a responsibility they need to embrace. The vice president will have excellent speaking skills and be able to solely and in conjunction with the NJIT president, provost and deans represent the university as executive leadership and drive external targeted dinner and group meetings. The incoming vice president must resonate with, be committed to, and speak passionately about the mission of NJIT and the value of a public polytechnic university and higher education more broadly. Moreover, the vice president will ensure sound financial management of the Foundation’s assets, including budgeting, financial reporting, and investment oversight in partnership with the Joint Investment Committee.

The vice president will be responsible for the overall health and growth of the development and alumni relations program, further advancing the cultivation and solicitation of the university's most generous alumni, donors, volunteers, and friends. As an experienced development and alumni relations leader with documented success, the vice president must also possess the highest integrity and moral character.

WittKieffer is assisting NJIT in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by March 21, 2025. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile (https://apptrkr.com/6007825).

Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to: Jessica Herrington, Ashlee Winters Musser, and Luis Bertot at NJITVPDAR@wittkieffer.com.

The anticipated compensation range for this position is between $325,000 and $350,000 annually. Compensation will be commiserate with experience.

As an EEO employer NJIT is committed to building a diverse and inclusive teaching, research, and working environment and strongly encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women.

As a Minority Serving Institution with designations as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), NJIT is committed to embracing diversity, centering equity, and practicing inclusion with the goal of sustaining a culture of belonging. NJIT celebrates the diversity of our university community and recognizes the cultural and personal contributions each member of the community brings to NJIT. We strive to cultivate a campus culture that promotes inclusive excellence among our faculty, staff, students, and external partners. Sustaining and building upon our diverse community is critical to NJIT’s continuing status as a premier research institution of higher education and a leading polytechnic university.