Assumption University is a comprehensive, private Catholic liberal arts institution, sponsored by the Augustinians of the Assumption. Assumption awakes in students a sense of wonder, discovery, and purpose, forming graduates known for their intellectual seriousness, thoughtful citizenship, and devotion to the common good. The University's curricular and co-curricular programs provide students with an education that shapes their souls, forms them intellectually, and prepares them for meaningful careers. Assumption is a diverse community that welcomes different points of view and embraces all who share its mission. Enlivened by the Catholic affirmation of the harmony of faith and reason and by the pursuit of the truth in the company of friends, an Assumption education transforms the minds and hearts of students.
Situated in the heart of New England in Worcester, Massachusetts, Assumption University is a vibrant community home to 2,000 full-time undergraduate and graduate students. With an average class size of eighteen, students study under the close mentorship of faculty and staff who are experts in their fields, with over ninety academic programs offered across five colleges. Assumption’s twenty-six sports teams compete in the Northeast-10 Conference, with its academic and athletic success resulting in the NCAA Division II President’s Award for Academic Excellence. Marked by gritty determination, relentless curiosity, and a lack of entitlement, Assumption graduates are in demand because of the University's understanding of Catholic liberal education knits enduring ideas and professional preparation into a single fabric.
Assumption University: Leadership Spotlight
Greg Weiner, Ph.D. - President, Assumption University
Greg Weiner, Ph.D.
President, Assumption University
Greg Weiner, Ph.D., is the 17th president of Assumption University. Weiner joined the Assumption community in 2011 as an assistant professor of political science. Throughout his tenure in teaching, he was promoted to associate and full professorship. Additionally, in May of 2019, he was appointed provost and vice president for academic affairs.
An expert in the political thought of the American Founding, Weiner holds a Ph.D. in government from Georgetown University. George F. Will has written that he ranks “among the most prolific and profound contemporary writers on political philosophy.”
Weiner is the author of four books: Madison’s Metronome: The Constitution, Majority Rule and the Tempo of American Politics; American Burke: The Uncommon Liberalism of Daniel Patrick Moynihan; The Political Constitution: The Case Against Judicial Supremacy; and Old Whigs: Burke, Lincoln and the Politics of Prudence. His fifth book, Politics and Limits, is under contract to Yale University Press.
Weiner has published and lectured around the country on topics such as the political thought of James Madison, the separation of powers, the presidency, constitutional interpretation, and other issues. He has published more than two dozen essays in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal as well as op-eds in The Washington Post.
Before his academic career, Weiner was a political aide, consultant and writer in Washington, D.C. for nearly two decades. He served as the president and founder of Content Communications, LLC, advising national political leaders, members of Congress, and other political leaders. He served as communications director for Senator J. Robert Kerrey of Nebraska; for a U.S. Senate candidate from Texas; and as deputy press secretary and staff assistant to U.S. Senators Lloyd Bentsen and Bob Kreuger. He also served as a reporter for the Williamson County Sun newspaper in Georgetown, Texas.
In addition to his doctoral degree, Weiner holds a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas, Austin, and a master’s degree in liberal studies from Georgetown University. Weiner and his wife, Rebecca, have three children and two greyhounds.
The Office of University Advancement
Through its networks and partnerships, the University Advancement Office seeks to provide opportunities for alumni to engage with each other, and with students, all for the betterment of the University.
The Office of University Advancement staff helps Assumption alumni maintain their relationship with other fellow alumni through a number of events such as the annual Reunion, Homecoming and other events designed to help reconnect alumni with their classmates and meet alumni who walked the same paths and enjoyed the same classes. The office also facilitates donations from alumni, parents or friends who want to support future students and the growth of the institution.
The Opportunity: Vice President for University Advancement
As its next Vice President for University Advancement, Assumption University seeks a dynamic, innovative, and entrepreneurial leader who can achieve one of the most important goals of the first 10-year strategic plan in our history: to “transform the paradigm of philanthropy at Assumption.”
A successful Vice President will understand and champion the centrality of philanthropy to the financial thriving of the University; cultivate and leverage our network of more than 16,000 alumni; extend philanthropy beyond our alumni base to corporate, foundation and other partners that support our mission; creatively deploy leading-edge technology and data analysis to identify opportunities and inform and assess operations; build and lead a best-in-class, creative and energetic team that is both joyful and accountable; identify new philanthropic strategies and stay ahead of developing trends; believe in the powerful combination of Catholic liberal education and professional preparation; understand the unique character and needs of Assumption students; and make a compelling case for giving to Assumption University.
The new Vice President will be equipped to begin near-term testing, preparation, and launch of the most ambitious capital campaign in Assumption’s history, with a target of at least $100 million. The successful candidate will be able to balance careful analysis with urgency and guide the use of University resources, including the University President’s time and travel, to maximize philanthropy. As a member of the President’s Cabinet, she or he will serve as a senior institutional leader, participate in the development and execution of University strategy, and work closely with our Board of Trustees.
Essential Function
Under the direction of the President, the Vice President for University Advancement, a member of the President’s Cabinet, is responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive institutional advancement programs and recruiting and developing talented team members charged with significantly increasing constituent involvement and fundraising outcomes. The advancement function includes responsibility for annual fund, leadership gifts, corporate and foundation partnerships, gift planning, prospect research, alumni relations efforts, stewardship, and advancement services.
Responsibilities and Qualifications
Essential Duties:
As a member of the President’s Cabinet, the vice president will advance the mission of the University as an institution of Catholic liberal education founded in the Augustinian tradition and will support the President’s vision and short and long-term strategic goals, including maintaining effective working relationships with members of the Cabinet, the Board of Trustees and key alumni, parents, external constituents, and friends.
The vice president will create a culture of philanthropy internally and externally and be visible and serve as the president’s chief advisor in developing strategies and opportunities to work with donors to achieve their philanthropic aspirations in partnership with and alignment to the university’s strategic plan. The vice president will be a leading fundraiser who can skillfully make the case for Assumption’s priorities. The vice president will provide leadership to constituent relations programs in the areas of alumni, parents, and other key constituencies.
With the President, senior leadership team, and other stakeholders, determine annual, medium-range and long-term institutional fund-raising goals, objectives, and work plan, utilizing best practices in annual, leadership, and planned gift programs, along with engagement and donor stewardship programs.
Identify creative opportunities for philanthropy beyond the traditional paradigm of alumni giving.
Collaborate with other members of the senior leadership team to promote, develop, and fund student-centric initiatives and programs in alignment with the university’s strategic plan.
Oversee the cultivation, solicitation, and execution of individual and major gifts, corporate partnerships, philanthropic grant writing, and fundraising events to meet the university’s annual operating budget as well as its long-term strategic goals.
The vice president will hire, train, inspire and build a scalable advancement operation to achieve accountable, goal-oriented outcomes supporting the goals and objectives of the University Advancement division.
Partnering with the President, provide tactical oversight in the development and management of annual staffing, operating plans, and budgets for the University Advancement division.
Provide strategic leadership for a capital campaign through comprehensive, data-driven campaign planning aligned with the University’s strategic plan, along with overseeing execution, assessment, and adjustments to ensure campaign progress, utilizing dynamic and best practice processes in all phases of donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Serve as a public leader to foster and promote a culture of philanthropy for all University community stakeholders. Partner with academic offices like provost and deans to increase alumni engagement and philanthropic support.
Oversee the strategic development of effective internal and external messaging and methods of Advancement communication.
Serve as a Cabinet liaison to the Board of Trustees and those of its committees tasked with managing philanthropic fund-raising for the University, such as a capital campaign committee.
Innovatively use technology to leverage data in identifying and acting on opportunities.
Assure compliance with all government regulations, tax codes, University policies, and industry standards and the timely and appropriate acknowledgement of gifts. Ensures maintenance of confidential record keeping.
Serve as a Campus Security Authority for Clery reporting purposes and a Responsible Employee for Title IX reporting purposes.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Must be eager to contribute actively to the mission of the University as well as show an understanding of and a respect for the Catholic and Assumptionist identity of Assumption University.
Five to eight years of demonstrated success in Advancement, fundraising, and the administration of capital campaigns required (including a track record of raising six figure gifts), or the equivalent in executive leadership in sales or other related fields.
A Bachelor’s degree is required; a Master’s degree is preferred.
Senior experience in higher education is strongly preferred but, for uniquely qualified candidates, not required.
Strong communication skills are required, as is the ability to track and manage multiple projects and initiatives using cutting-edge technology.
Demonstrated success in increasing the effectiveness of a fundraising or similar unit through established objectives and managing a high-performing team.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically as both a Vice President for Advancement and senior institutional leader.
Ability to build strong and healthy relationships with all internal and external constituencies.
Motivated to be a change agent, with success in affecting large-scale change in previous organizations.
Applications & Nominations
Assumption University has partnered with Boyden Executive Search. For more information about this opportunity or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email:
Lisa Vuona has decades of experience in executive search and human resource management, primarily in the non-profit, healthcare and education sectors. She is distinguished by her track record and network, and by her approach, which combines the strategic power of data with a finely tuned ability to understand the client’s organization and identify high-caliber leaders who fit the culture.
Jill began as a recruiter, transitioning seamlessly to Human Resources Management after several successful years. She has diverse experience in the dot com, biotechnology, and media industries. After taking time to raise her children, Jill returned as a Human Resource Manager for a multimedia company. In this role, she excelled in recruiting, administering benefits, and managing employee relations. Jill's passion continues to be connecting top talent and organizations, both locally and nationally.
Don’t check off all the boxes or meet every single requirement? We have learned that potential candidates hesitate when applying for a job unless they meet every single requirement. Boyden Boston is dedicated to inclusivity and valuing diversity and equity in the workplace. If this opportunity excites you, but your background may not be a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply.
Assumption University - VP for University Advancement - Job Description (PDF Download)
