Established in 1953, the Texas A&M Foundation’s mission is to build a brighter future for Texas A&M University, one relationship at a time.
As a nonprofit and the primary academic fundraising institution for Texas A&M, the Foundation's vision is to be among the most trusted philanthropies in higher education. Texas A&M Foundation's team partners with former students, corporations and other supporters to match their charitable passions with opportunities for purposeful philanthropy at Texas A&M. Gifts create scholarships, advance faculty endeavors, enhance student programs and fund campus construction, greatly enhancing Texas A&M’s mission to provide the highest quality undergraduate and graduate programs and develop new understandings through research and creativity.
Texas A&M Foundation's Impact:
Scholarships
Scholarships make a profound difference in the lives of individual students and in the lives those students touch as graduates of Texas A&M University. Some of the best high school students can’t afford today’s tuition, but scholarships open a world of possibilities to them. Scholarships also free Aggies from the necessity of part-time jobs, giving them more time to satisfy their intellectual curiosity or to participate in Texas A&M’s character-building organizations.
Faculty & Research
Endowed gift to the Texas A&M Foundation help attract high-quality faculty to the university, increase retention, and enhance creativity and productivity. Because state funds cover only basic faculty requirements, private support is more critical than ever.
College Programs
The Foundation’s leadership works closely with Texas A&M University administrators to identify priorities and needs within each of Texas A&M’s colleges and branch campuses. These become the focus of Foundation fundraising efforts. Programs housed within Texas A&M’s colleges and units play an important role in the university’s landgrant mission and add to the exceptional academic experience every student seeks in Aggieland.
Student Activities
Texas A&M University’s student programs have been turning Aggies into outstanding citizens for more than a century. Considered by many Aggies as a "second education” altogether, these more than 1,000 campus programs build well-rounded leaders with positive values whose contributions to business and civic life are immeasurable. The Foundation manages endowments for many of Texas A&M’s student organizations, such as the Corps of Cadets, The Big Event, Fish Camp and Memorial Student Center leadership programs.
Scholarships
Faculty & Research
College Programs
Student Activities
The Giving Academy
The Giving Academy is designed to demystify the philanthropic process at Texas A&M University. Hosted by leaders from in and around the Texas A&M Foundation, this high-impact video series will deliver actionable information to help you help others in Aggieland and beyond.
Since its founding in 1876, Texas A&M University has become a major international institution of higher education and an invaluable resource for Texas and the nation.
From its proud beginnings as a military college to its present stature as one of the nation’s top research universities, Texas A&M has served its constituents with honor. The United States government has designated Texas A&M as the only land-, sea- and space-grant university in the state, and one of only 17 such universities in the country.
Academic excellence coupled with deeply-rooted traditions, unfailing loyalty and a unique spirit have placed the university among the nation’s top institutions. Texas A&M sets the standard as a world-class university of the future by combining knowledge, research and innovation to create solutions that few institutions have the depth and breadth to achieve.
The Location: College Station, Texas
College Station - The Heart of Aggieland and the Home of Texas A&M University!
College Station is an energetic and innovative community filled with almost endless possibilities. Its authentic, friendly people and unique experiences make you feel genuinely welcome. Those who study, research, and teach at Texas A&M use their skills on campus and beyond to foster a productive climate of innovation and creativity. The many fine restaurants, stores, and hotels found in College Station reflect that environment.
When people are coming here, you’ve still got that not a big city or a small town, but a medium-type city flair. You’ve got good schools, you’ve got great arts, and parks and things available to you for your family. It is a relatively safe place compared to other areas because you’ve still got a little bit of that small town feel within a bigger city. And then you throw in the economic climate and yeah, I don’t know why anybody would go anywhere else. I would always want to stay here.
- Glen Brewer, president of the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce.
The Role & Opportunity: Associate Vice President for Marketing & Strategic Communications
We believe in the cause. We believe people matter. We believe in selfless service. We believe in the future. The Associate Vice President for Marketing and Strategic Communications drives production, facilitates collaboration, ignites innovation and fuels the purpose of the Texas A&M Foundation by providing strategic and people focused leadership. The Associate Vice President is a coach and a strategist that invests in the talents of the marketing, strategic communications, events and scholarship teams. This leader adopts the Texas A&M Foundation system of creating and ensuring gratifying gifting experiences and protects, projects, and positions the Texas A&M Foundation brand. The Associate Vice President is a key point of connection for Texas A&M University marketing and communication leaders and builds trust as the strategic partner. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, this accomplished marketer provides operational leadership to a variety of teams and functions at the Foundation. The Associate Vice President drives performance with a commitment to data, analytics, the Foundation fundraising system, and individualized development and coaching of all team members. The Associate Vice President adopts a growth mindset and embodies the Aggie Core Values and the Foundation’s mission, vision and culture.
The Role and Responsibilities
Responsibilities:
Provide leadership to:
Publications & Content
Digital Communications & Experiences
Visual Media
Strategic Communications
Brand
In-person Events & Experiences
Scholarship Programs
Build and enhance a best-in-class marketing enterprise
Inspire and guide philanthropy through strategic marketing systems and omnichannel storytelling
Protect, project and position the Texas A&M Foundation brand
Create and ensure gratifying gifting experiences through marketing and experiences
Develop and grow Texas A&M Foundation’s comprehensive scholarship program
Amplify the Texas A&M brand through trust-based partnerships with the university and its affiliates
Enable the fundraising teams with market informed content
Embrace data, analytics and technology
Coach with consistency and high expectations
Serve as content expert for markets, personas and targeted communication strategies
Serve as the key connection to university marketing leadership and partners
Invest in the growth of every team member
Embody an entrepreneurial spirit that promotes growth of the vision and mission of Texas A&M Foundation
Engage in organizational strategic planning, driving the division budget allocation and strategic goal achievements
Provide consultation, guidance and education on best practices for contributing personnel
Assign workflows and respond to strategic priorities
Advise Sr. Vice President of Development on marketing and communications opportunities, reputation advancement and crisis mitigation strategies and recommend plans of action
Qualifications and Expectations
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree
10+ years of experience in marketing or related experience with demonstrated history of success in relationship-driven or high external outreach industry
Exceptional verbal and interpersonal communication skills including excellent listening, relationship-building, and customer service including the ability to respond to internal and external constituents with tact, diplomacy, and discretion
Experience in strategic, crisis and influential communication
Experience with complex systems, applications and donor/customer acquisition
Ability to maintain confidentiality across a variety of situations and involving a variety of constituents (including Foundation leadership, team members, prospects, donors and university leadership)
A valid Texas driver license and good driving record must be maintained as a requirement of the position
Familiarity with social media content strategy, development, execution and management
Outstanding writing skills
Ability to identify and generate compelling content for distribution across a host of channels including social media, publications, video, advertisements, news releases, website and in-person events
Proven ability to lead teams through complex requirements within a matrix environment
Ability to provide leadership, advice and expertise at the executive level for marketing and communications
Desired Skills, Experience and Attributes:
Accomplished marketing and communications professional
Commitment to a constant improvement culture
Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively
Displayed curiosity and problem-solving capabilities
Experience in complex teams and enterprises
Commitment to collaboration
Passion and enthusiasm for Texas A&M and the Texas A&M Foundation
Executive presence and unquestionable integrity
Personal drive and strong work ethic
Joy in teaming with others to accomplish objectives
Talent to support and encourage teams
Versatile and adaptable
Leads by example with purpose, strength and values
This position description is not designed as a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the position. Nor does it create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship.
Applications & Nominations
Texas A&M has partnered with Boyden Executive Search. For more information about this opportunity or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email:
Wendy Wilsker has dedicated her entire career to the non-profit sector, serving in leadership roles within charitable organizations and working alongside them as an executive recruiter and consultant. She excels at identifying the unique challenges and opportunities non-profits face, and partners with senior leadership to build successful organizational structures, teams and advancement programs.
Making the world a better place is Shaké Sulikyan’s mission in life. She has decades of experience in the nonprofit sector including senior leadership roles in healthcare, academic medicine, higher education, and social services. Shaké loves connecting nonprofit organizations and exceptional professionals and is honored to support social impact organizations throughout the United States. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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.
Texas A&M - AVP for Marketing & Strategic Communications - Job Description (PDF)
