Description

Reporting directly to the President of the Indiana University Foundation (IUF), this joint position encompasses responsibilities as both Senior Vice President for IUF and Chief Alumni Officer for the Indiana University Alumni Association (IUAA). The role is an integral part of the advancement management structure, with significant responsibility for shaping and implementing strategic initiatives and upholding high standards of performance across all advancement functions. As Chief Alumni Officer (CAO) of IUAA—a nonprofit organization with an annual operating budget exceeding $8 million and staff located throughout Indiana University—the CAO collaborates closely with the IUAA Board of Managers, university leadership, and senior teams from both IUAA and IUF to fulfill the objectives outlined in the Advancing IU 2030 Strategic Plan, which includes a pioneering engagement goal.

The CAO oversees annual alumni and student engagement across all campuses and programs, ensures operational efficiency and the safeguarding of assets, and ensures the competence and integrity of IUAA board, staff, and volunteers. Furthermore, the CAO serves as the primary representative of the IUAA to the media, the global alumni community, other university constituents, and the public.

In the capacity of Senior Vice President for Lifelong Engagement, Giving, and Student Engagement at IUF, the incumbent leads efforts to generate annual revenue from alumni and friends in support of Indiana University initiatives, and develops strategies to enhance the donor pipeline with the objective of surpassing annual revenues of $38 million. Additionally, the leader directs a team focused on cultivating future alumni through storytelling, tradition, and relationship-building activities across all IU campuses, including preserving the legacy of the Little 500 bicycle race, a signature event that contributes to the unique character and culture of Indiana University Bloomington. 

This role also provides leadership oversight of the IU Student Foundation staff, ensuring innovative approaches to engaging with students, and leading a university-wide committee designed to create and implement strategies that build a culture of engagement and philanthropy among current students. 

For a visionary leader driven by bold possibilities, this role offers a thrilling opportunity to reimagine how a world-class alumni community connects, engages, and supports one another—across campuses, continents, and generations. With nearly one million living IU graduates as a powerful platform for impact, this leader will craft innovative, digital-forward strategies to deepen loyalty and activate a global network of generosity and service. Bold-thinkers who harness data, storytelling, and involvement to elevate alumni advocacy, giving, and engagement will find this an unmatched opportunity to shape the future of Indiana University at a scale few institutions can offer. 

The Chief Alumni Officer (CAO) and SVP Lifelong Engagement & Giving serves as a senior leader within advancement at Indiana University, responsible for strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, fundraising leadership, and culture. This is a full-time position. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time.

Strategic Planning & Organizational Leadership

• Leads long-range planning for LEG, including goal setting, implementation, and evaluation of success metrics.
• Oversees budget development aligned with strategic goals, ensures fiscal health through revenue generation and budget adherence.
• Contributes to IU Advancement’s strategic and long-range planning processes, guiding goal development and measurable outcomes.
• Serves as a partner and leader in assigned university-wide projects, priorities, and initiatives.

Governance & Stakeholder Engagement

• Manages governance of a 14-member fiduciary Board of Managers and 36-member Executive Council, including agenda development, and decision framing and strategic alignment.
• Builds strong relationships across key constituencies: students, alumni, donors, volunteers, and community leaders.
• Champions change across IUAA, IUF, and IU Advancement, engaging stakeholders and articulating the business case for transformation.

Fundraising Strategy & Lifelong Engagement Leadership

• Oversees IU’s annual giving fundraising initiatives to advance university priorities, including strategy design, goal setting, prospect identification, and staff supervision.
• Leads IU Foundation’s business growth strategy for annual revenue and donor pipeline development at gift levels of $10,000 and below.
• Directs the Lifelong Engagement & Giving Team in leveraging technology to build donor pipelines and student and alumni engagement.
• Oversees creation and execution of centralized annual giving plans, audience segmentation, and multi-channel fundraising strategies.
• Encourages collaboration on opportunities with campus, school, and unit colleagues in annual giving and audience segmentation.

Alumni & Student Engagement

• Collaborates with IUAA, IUF, and university stakeholders to evaluate and enhance alumni programming and communications using data-driven decision-making.
• Aligns enterprise-wide alumni engagement and development strategies to strengthen donor and volunteer pipelines.
• Builds a robust student engagement pipeline, including oversight of the student foundation, staff leadership, and university-wide initiatives.
• Develops and measures strategies that transition students to donors during school and post-graduation such as the “Pathway to Impact” acquisition program.
• Oversight of the Indiana Alumni Magazine publication 2x/year.

Leadership & Advancement Culture

• Supports the development of an advancement culture across IU, IUF, and IUAA to amplify alumni and donor impact.
• Represents IU and IU Advancement globally, contributing as a thought leader and sharing best practices to elevate the university’s brand and industry presence.

Requirements

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree required in related field (e.g., business, non-profit management, philanthropy, fundraising, marketing, etc.); Master's preferred

EXPERIENCE: 15 years with a minimum of 10 years of senior leadership experience in managing a complex organization.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Communication & Interpersonal Excellence

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills across large, diverse audiences
• Outstanding interpersonal presence: high energy, collaborative style, effective decision-maker, and engaging personality
• Ability to represent IU, IUF, and IUAA with external constituents including alumni, donors, volunteers, students, parents, and community leaders

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Visionary executive leadership to advance IUAA, IU Foundation, and broader advancement initiatives
• Inspires long-term commitment to higher education through philanthropy
• Instills alignment and commitment to organizational goals across teams and stakeholders

Institutional Knowledge & Mission Alignment

• Deep appreciation for the role of public higher education and Indiana University’s mission
• Understanding of IU’s academic excellence and alumni engagement legacy
• Experience with non-profit management (including boards) and philanthropy

Operational & Fiscal Management

• Demonstrated expertise in fiscal management, budgeting, and administrative oversight
• Ability to navigate and lead within large, complex organizational structures
• Drives multiple strategic projects to successful completion
• Experience leading organizational change management efforts successfully

Talent Development & Team Leadership

• Effectively coaches others and delivers constructive feedback
• Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision-making skills
• Builds collaborative, high-performing teams

Engagement & Advancement Strategy

• Identifies and creates meaningful engagement opportunities among alumni, donors, students, volunteers, faculty, and university leadership
• Champions a culture of quality, integrity, and professionalism in all advancement efforts