Description
Wilmington University (WilmU) is seeking an inaugural Senior Vice President (SVP) of Advancement to lead the University's next phase of philanthropic growth. WilmU is a nationally-recognized, accredited, private nonprofit institution headquartered just 35 minutes from Philadelphia. WilmU enrolls more than 18,000 students annually across 200+ career-relevant programs, offers more than 150 fully online programs, and recently earned provisional accreditation for the Wilmington University Farnan School of Law from the American Bar Association. Informed by key recommendations from a recent external fundraising assessment, WilmU has established the SVP of Advancement role and seeks an experienced and entrepreneurial leader. This comes at an exciting time of strong institutional momentum for the University, including the continued expansion of the Brandywine campus, which will
nearly double WilmU’s footprint.
WilmU is in a strong financial position, with a healthy $160 million endowment that exceeds the University’s $119 million annual operating budget. A portion of the endowment supports the Brandywine campus expansion, as well as other long-term institutional priorities. This presents a rare opportunity for a data-driven advancement executive to serve in a foundational leadership role with early influence, leave a long-term imprint on the University, and build a broader culture of philanthropy across the institution.
Reporting to WilmU President Dr. LaVerne Harmon, the SVP will partner closely with the President, Board, and University leaders to advance the University’s strategic priorities. Supervising the existing team, the inaugural SVP will cultivate broader constituent engagement, external philanthropic partnerships, and long-term institutional support. Early initiatives from the SVP may include establishing a Board development committee and charter to help strengthen philanthropic engagement at the governance level and build the infrastructure needed for long-term advancement success. This role calls for a trusted expert to assess and build the University’s future advancement structure and identify practical ways to strengthen fundraising support.
WilmU is a private, nonprofit, open-access and accredited institution that serves the unique needs of working adults seeking career advancement through higher education. The University is headquartered in New Castle, Delaware, home to WilmU’s main campus, with additional locations including Brandywine and Dover. WilmU academic programs create streamlined pathways to in-demand careers. Seven colleges make up WilmU across programs in business, education, health sciences, engineering, social sciences, professional studies and law. WilmU’s alumni network is over 78,000 strong and growing, and the University provides a variety of programs, resources and services designed to support students beyond graduation. WilmU Magazine, distributed to alumni and shared digitally, provides the university with a broad storytelling platform to elevate institutional visibility, strengthen alumni affinity, and has the potential to support future donor engagement efforts. Growing alumni engagement will remain an important component of the advancement ecosystem.
As many colleges and universities struggle to keep up with new demands on the workforce and changing needs of students, WilmU continues to grow to meet those issues head on and serve as a solution to higher education’s biggest challenges. Embracing the future of higher education, WilmU provides a strong focus on accessible education so that students are able to learn in face-to-face, online or hybrid formats. The University has been regularly recognized by national and regional organizations for excellence in online program administration, faculty development, instructional design and digital learning innovation, including the 2024 Exemplary Review for its Administration of Online Programs from the Online Learning Consortium ™ (OLC). WilmU has been a leader in online education for over 15 years, and a large majority of students take online courses during their time at the University.
WilmU’s operating budget comes from 90% tuition-driven revenue, so revenue diversification will be an important goal of the incoming leader. A major priority for the SVP will be expanding and deepening the institution’s portfolio of privatesector philanthropic partnerships, with a particular emphasis on cultivating and soliciting support from individual corporate leaders, employers and missionaligned companies. While growing alumni engagement will remain an important component of the advancement ecosystem, the institution’s unique mission creates a powerful opportunity to build strategic relationships with organizations that directly benefit from a more skilled, credentialed workforce. WilmU’s success has been centered on a nontraditional but practical path, and the inaugural SVP will be expected to draw in like-minded partners. They will design and execute an innovative and proactive strategy for identifying highvalue and mission-aligned corporate prospects and developing other longterm partnerships and relationships that specifically target strategies to involve others who are passionate about advancing student success, workforce development and institutional sustainability. This shift toward corporate philanthropy will be central to the role’s impact and a defining measure of success.
The SVP will join an ambitious leadership team looking to welcome a partner who thinks strategically and is excited to galvanize the University to pursue new ideas. The incoming SVP will have immediate opportunities to support the expansion of WilmU’s giving programs, including to help lead the vision and timeline for the next advancement campaign. The campaign will elevate WilmU’s visibility and expand engagement across the University community.
The best candidates will be seasoned leaders who have experience working with a diverse group of funding organizations and individuals and leading successful advancement teams in complex matrixed organizations. The University looks for leaders who will embody WilmU’s values of understanding, respect, integrity, opportunity, responsiveness, innovation, experience, education and caring. They will bring experience and knowledge in contemporary advancement work, implementing the processes and systems needed for a successful multiyear advancement strategy.
Download the full leadership profile for more information.
Wilmington University has engaged Brettschneider Executive Search to lead the process for this critical leadership position. Please submit all applications, nominations and inquiries to Brettschneider Executive Search. Applications should include, as a single PDF document, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressed to Kim Brettschneider, CEO, Brettschneider Executive Search, highlighting any experience that matches the themes in this profile.
Wilmington University is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that ensures equal opportunity (EEO) for all employees, students, and applicants. All employees, students and applicants are protected by federal and state law from discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), marital and family responsibility status, national origin, age, disability, military service, and any other classification protected by law. These protections extend to all personnel practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring, promotions, discipline, training, separations, compensation, transfers, job assignments, benefits, career development programs, and all terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. During the hiring process and/or in connection with aiding an employee to perform the essential functions of the position or enjoy the privileges of employment, Wilmington University provides reasonable accommodations to employees, students, and applicants with disabilities, for pregnancy-related conditions and religious reasons. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
