Chief Advancement Officer, Resource Development

Job Description

Chief Advancement Officer, Resource DevelopmentLocation:PakistanIntroduction:Chartered in 1983, it is a private, autonomous and self-governing international university with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries distributed across three continents. As an integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in several disciplines, carries out research pertinent to the countries in which it exists and has campuses, programmes and/or teaching hospitals in Afghanistan, Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda and the UK. As an international institution, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact and access; and AKU is a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change.The Resource Development Department is responsible for advancing the mission and priorities of the University and its Hospitals by developing mutually beneficial relationships with its friends and supporters, and by generating philanthropic and other financial support. Through best practices in university advancement and fundraising, Resource Development works closely with University leadership, faculty, physicians and alumni to engage diverse international constituencies, partners, sponsors and donors to meet the needs of AKU over the long term.Job Role / Responsibilities:The Chief Advancement Officer is a key and integral member of AKU and will lead a strategically focused, donor-centric and sustainable advancement department to strengthen the fundraising, advancement, operations stewardship and alumni teams, thereby contributing to the priorities of the wider University. The incumbent will be required to advise the President on all matters pertaining to the management and operation of fundraising and alumni relations, as well as community and donor relations. A strategic and collaborative approach is vital to AKU?s advancement function, and therefore the Chief Advancement Officer will need to develop strong and productive relationships within the Institution and externally with a worldwide community of donors, alumni, volunteers, supporters and partners.Specific responsibilities include:

• developing and implementing strategic plans for the University?s fundraising ambitions to secure philanthropic and other support for the University?s strategic goals and priorities including academic units, centers, institutes and hospitals, student and patient support, in addition to its capital projects
• planning and executing fundraising campaigns including cultivating and soliciting gifts from existing and new donors
• working closely with the President in all aspects of his AKU advancement and campaign leadership activities
• serving as a member of the University Leadership Team and maintaining close working relationships with members of the Board of Trustees, University leadership, Deans, Directors and senior volunteers in fundraising efforts and related support for the University?s priorities
• having overall responsibility for managing and strengthening the advancement team towards accountable, goal-oriented outcomes
• developing a plan and adhering to agreed budgets for the advancement team function
• building capacity for AKU?s fundraising comprising principal and major gifts, annual gifts, corporate and foundation gifts, zakat fundraising and gift planning
• devising effective internal and external messaging and communication methods for advancement purposes
• developing and implementing strategies to broaden the current donor pool, particularly outside the Ismaili community to include beneficiaries of all communities where AKU works
• developing and expanding fundraising expertise within the University at the executive and senior leadership levels, working closely to engage and support fundraising effort
• mbedding a strategy for global volunteer engagement (Resource Development Committees) whilst guiding and overseeing their work
• taking overall responsibility for ensuring compliance with data protection and other relevant laws in the countries of operation, to protect the integrity and confidentiality of donor records and data
• ensuring development of and adherence to fundraising policies and procedures, in line with global best practices
• developing and implementing strategic plans for the University?s Alumni Affairs, including leading the creation of global, national and regional associations and chapters as well as ensuring consistent incremental growth in alumni fundraising
• taking responsibility for engaging the worldwide alumni community to support the University and its strategic objectives, and for deepening their involvement in a mutually beneficial alumni relations programme.

Eligibility Criteria / Requirements:The ideal candidate will bring experience of leading significant global fundraising and engagement campaigns. He/she should be highly strategic, entrepreneurial and creative, with a flair for engaging with a broad range of stakeholders around the world; leading highly impactful academic and healthcare agendas.Candidates should have:

• a Master?s level degree
• over 15 years relevant experience with 5 to 10 years specifically in organisational advancement or related working experience, preferably in a not-for-profit or a membership-based institution with operations in the developing world
• knowledge of international philanthropic sectors and experience working in a higher education or hospital fundraising environment would be an advantage
• the ability to demonstrate leadership and accomplishment in advancement
• a proven track record of fundraising success, including campaign planning and execution, and in principal gift solicitations
• exemplary interpersonal and communication skills
• the ability to engage favorably with sophisticated volunteers and donors
• the ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies in a university environment
• a strong work ethic and competitive nature, with unwaivering personal integrity combined with deep emotional intelligence
• advanced strategic thinking, combined with strong organisational and planning skills
• a commitment to the vision of the University, including advocacy for lifelong learning and professional growth.

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