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: Vice President of Development
We believe in the cause. We believe people matter. We believe in selfless service. We believe in the future. The Vice President for Development drives production, facilitates collaboration, ignites innovation, and fuels the purpose of the Texas A&M Foundation by providing strategic and people focused leadership. The Vice President for Development is a coach and a strategist, that invests in the talents of the fundraising teams, coaches the Foundation system and builds momentum through gratifying gift experience for donors and prospects. The Vice President for Development is a key point of connection for Texas A&M University academic and program leaders and builds trust as the strategic partner for the university. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, this accomplished fundraiser provides operational leadership to a variety of teams and functions at the Texas A&M Foundation. The Vice President for Development drives gift officer performance with a commitment to data, analytics, the Foundation fundraising system, and individualized development and coaching of all team members. The Vice President of Development has adopted a growth mindset and embodies the Aggie core values and the Texas A&M Foundation’s mission, vision, and culture.
The Role and Responsibilities
Responsibilities:
Provide direct leadership to the teams:
Principal Gifts
Stewardship and Donor Success
Charitable and Philanthropic Planning
Real Estate Gifts
Corporate Philanthropy
Foundation Relations
New Business Development
Model fundraising and coaching:
Take an active approach in gift acquisition, strategy and development officer coaching
Adopt and adapt the Texas A&M Foundation fundraising system
Coach with consistency and high expectations
Demonstrate strategic development and project management skills applying the understanding to cross-collaborative efforts
Serve as content expert and contact, addressing inquiries regarding fund-raising policies and procedures
Build and maintain strategic partnerships
Serve as the key connection to assigned academic and university leadership
Model a trust-based approach to donor engagement
Invest in the growth of every team member
Qualifications and Expectations
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree
Fundraising or other related experience with demonstrated history of success in relationship-driven or high external outreach industry
Strong written, 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
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)
Flexibility to travel extensively including evenings, overnight and weekends and the ability to visit donors in offices, residences, or other agreed locations
A valid Texas driver license and good driving record must be maintained as a requirement of the position
Desired Skills, Experience and Attributes:
Accomplished advancement professional
Commitment to a constant improvement culture
Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively to diverse audiences
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
Leads by example with purpose, strengths 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 - Vice President of Development - Job Description (PDF)
