Vice President for University Relations

Overview and Responsibilities:

The Vice President for University Relations serves as the chief advancement and communications/marketing officer for Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Reporting directly to the President and serving as a key member of the President’s Cabinet, the Vice President provides strategic vision and leadership to advance the university’s mission, reputation, and financial sustainability through integrated initiatives in philanthropy, communications, and external engagement.

 

As the President’s closest strategic partner in external affairs, the Vice President serves as an advance agent and trusted delegate in preparing, staging, and following through on key presidential engagements—especially with principal donors, Catholic influencers, and alumni leaders, serving as the external voice of the University with the media.

 

This position leads a unified University Relations division responsible for advancement and fundraising, alumni relations, stewardship of benefactors/donors, brand consistency, communications, media relations, and public affairs. The Vice President ensures a consistent and compelling narrative that reflects Saint Mary’s Lasallian, Catholic identity and inspires broad-based support from alumni, donors, prospective students, parents, and the wider community.

 

As a close advisor to the President, the Vice President partners with internal and external stakeholders to promote the university’s visibility, deepen engagement, and strengthen resources to support Saint Mary’s mission of awakening, nurturing, and empowering learners to ethical lives of service and leadership.

 

Mission Commitment

The Vice President for University Relations embodies and advances Saint Mary’s Lasallian, Catholic mission by fostering authentic relationships, inspiring generosity, and communicating the transformative power of a Saint Mary’s education. All initiatives are guided by the university’s values of faith, service, and community — ensuring that every message and partnership reflects the spirit of Saint John Baptist de La Salle.

 

Salary range: $170k - $225k

 

Primary Responsibilities:

 

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a trusted member of the President’s Cabinet, contributing to the development and execution of institutional strategy.
• Create and implement a comprehensive University Relations plan that integrates advancement, alumni relations, and communications in alignment with Saint Mary’s strategic priorities and Catholic Lasallian values. Reflects critical initiatives  with enrollment marketing, partnerships, Academics, student development, athletics, and Human Resources.
• Lead the integration of storytelling, data, and engagement across functions to drive enrollment, fundraising, and brand awareness.
• Develop and manage annual operating plans, budgets, and performance metrics that ensure accountability, innovation, and fiscal stewardship.

 

Advancement and Philanthropy

• Lead all fundraising initiatives, including principal and major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, planned giving, and donor stewardship.
• Partner with the President and Trustees to set and achieve aspirational but attainable fundraising goals.
• Personally cultivate and solicit major and principal gift prospects.
• Act as the primary executive architect of the President’s donor engagement strategy, including briefing materials, cultivation plans, ask timing, and follow-up execution.
• Ensure that all advancement activities serve to amplify presidential priorities, increase philanthropic momentum, and create fertile ground for transformational gifts.
• Design and execute comprehensive fundraising campaigns that reflect institutional priorities and inspire stakeholder investment.
• Expand alumni engagement through meaningful volunteer opportunities, events, and philanthropic participation.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy and gratitude across all campuses.

 

Marketing, Brand, and Communications

• Work in concert with Enrollment Management/Marketing to approve and distribute enhanced and new digital strategies to increase donor participation across electronic media.
• Serve as the university’s chief communications officer and brand steward, ensuring a consistent and compelling institutional identity.
• Shape communication and marketing strategies that reinforce Saint Mary’s identity as a bold, distinctly Lasallian, Catholic university with national relevance.
• Coordinate Catholic media relationships and storytelling to support brand trust and drive enrollment among mission-aligned prospective students and families.
• Work in concert with Enrollment Management/Marketing to coordinate all aspects of strategic marketing, brand management, advertising, and digital communications to advance enrollment, fundraising, and visibility goals.
• Work in concert with Enrollment Management/Marketing to oversee the development of creative, data-informed campaigns across digital, social, print, and broadcast channels.
• Leverage market research and analytics to measure impact and refine outreach strategies.
• Partner with Enrollment Management and Academic Affairs to highlight Saint Mary’s academic quality, student success, and faculty distinction.
• Ensure that marketing and communications reflect the university’s Catholic Lasallian values and inclusive community.

 

Media Relations, Public Affairs, and Crisis Communication

• Serve as the principal media liaison and spokesperson for the university as appropriate, representing Saint Mary’s with professionalism and authenticity.
• Oversee the university’s public and media relations strategy, building strong relationships with media outlets—particularly throughout the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota—to enhance visibility and credibility.
• Lead crisis communication and reputation management efforts, providing strategic counsel to senior leadership.
• Manage complex, high-stakes communications, serving as a calming and strategic presence in moments of institutional turbulence. This includes the ability to anticipate potential crises, develop proactive communication protocols, and maintain unified, mission-aligned messaging internally and externally across all platforms.
• Promote the university’s thought leadership through proactive storytelling, faculty and student features, and presidential messaging.
• Ensure transparent and timely internal communications that promote trust and collaboration across the university community.

 

Leadership and Team Development

• Lead and mentor a diverse, high-performing team of advancement, alumni relations, marketing, and communication professionals.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, creativity, and continuous learning.
• Provide coaching, performance management, and professional development opportunities for staff.
• Strengthen cross-divisional partnerships to ensure consistent messaging and shared outcomes across departments.

 

Personal and Leadership Disposition

• Relationally Discrete: Demonstrates exceptional personal integrity and discretion; avoids unproductive or divisive talk that could damage trust or morale.
• Intensely Loyal and Trusted: Shows strong loyalty and is highly trusted by leadership and colleagues. Speaks about the institution in ways that build confidence in its leadership and mission. 
• Internally Driven and Tireless: Known for unwavering dedication, personal sacrifice, and a deep commitment to the mission, often going beyond conventional working hours.  
• Oriented Toward Execution and Exceeding Goals: Models a culture of high performance, quiet professionalism, joyful mission-driven service, and superior management of a high-performing team. Operates with focus, humility, and a clear sense of purpose while avoiding drama or political maneuvering. 
• A Disciplined and Proactive Communicator: Communicates early and clearly, providing timely updates, identifying emerging issues, and ensuring there are no surprises. Tailors communication to the audience, offering the right amount of context, detail, and tone for shared understanding and effective action.
• Skilled at Creating Forward Momentum aligned with The President’s leadership: Responds promptly and constructively to presidential guidance; proactively prepares the way for executive engagements, high-net-worth donor asks, and strategic directives.  
• Strategic Alignment with Presidential Priorities: Serves as a direct extension of the President’s voice, vision, and priorities.Demonstrates exceptional alignment with the President’s strategic agenda and leadership approach. Represents the President’s perspective with accuracy and integrity, ensuring that communications, initiatives, and decisions support the university’s overarching mission and presidential priorities.

 

Performance Metrics

The performance of the Vice President for University Relations will be evaluated based on demonstrated leadership in the following areas:

1. Fundraising Growth – Year-over-year increases in major gifts, annual giving participation, and total philanthropic support.
2. Campaign Success – Achievement of established milestones for capital or comprehensive campaigns.
3. Brand Visibility – Increased awareness and positive perception of Saint Mary’s University regionally and nationally, as measured through media coverage, engagement analytics, and brand surveys.
4. Stakeholder Engagement – Growth in alumni participation, donor retention, and community partnerships.
5. Enrollment Support – Cohesively work with Enrollment Management and Marketing to coordinate marketing and communications initiatives to recruitment and retention goals.
6. Internal Collaboration – Evidence of strong partnerships and alignment with Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, and Student Life.
7. Operational Effectiveness – Achievement of divisional goals within budget and demonstrated use of data to inform decisions.

 

Key Success Indicators

• Development and successful execution of a comprehensive University Relations strategic plan aligned with institutional priorities.
• Completion of a multi-year fundraising campaign meeting or exceeding established goals.
• Measurable growth in alumni engagement and donor participation rates.
• Consistent, mission-centered storytelling across all communication platforms.
• Expanded media presence and positive reputation within the Twin Cities and broader higher education community.
• Effective crisis communication management protecting the university’s brand and reputation.
• High staff engagement and retention within the University Relations division.
• Recognition of Saint Mary’s as a leading Catholic Lasallian institution dedicated to service,

Qualifications:

Essential Skills and Attributes

• Visionary, mission-driven leadership integrating advancement, marketing, and communications.
• Exceptional leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills; a collaborative team builder and active participant who fosters trust, cohesion, and shared purpose across the division and the broader university community.
• Persuasive and inspiring storyteller with exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, campaign design, and donor relations.
• Expertise in brand management, digital strategy, and media engagement.
• Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills with a data-driven mindset.
• Proven success in crisis communications and managing institutional reputation.
• Collaborative leadership style marked by emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
• Deep appreciation for and ability to articulate the Lasallian Catholic mission and identity of Saint Mary’s University.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business, or a related field required; master’s degree preferred.
• Seven to ten years of progressive leadership experience in advancement, marketing, and communications, preferably in higher education or the nonprofit sector.
• Proven track record in principal and major gift fundraising and campaign management.
• Experience managing communication strategies in a complex organization.
• Familiarity with or experience in Catholic or mission-based educational environments strongly preferred.
• Experience managing large teams and multi-departmental budgets.

 

Physical Demands

• Sedentary work. Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

 

Physical Hazards – Health and Safety Concerns

• General office environments
• Ergonomics
• Driving

Application Requirements:

Appointment and Applications

This executive position serves at the pleasure of the President. We seek a mission-driven, high-performing leader who thrives under pressure, understands the language and nuance of Catholic higher education, and possesses the vision, trustworthiness, and tireless energy to partner with the President in advancing Saint Mary’s visibility, enrollment, and philanthropic momentum.

 

Compensation is commensurate with experience. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer consistent with its Catholic mission.

 

Apply online at https://www.smumn.edu/about/offices-services/human-resources/employment-opportunities/ and include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

 

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota believes inclusion and human dignity contributes to a robust academic and work environment and is critical to achieving the University's mission in an increasingly diverse society. Individuals with expertise and diverse skills from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The successful candidate must support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary's University as a Lasallian Catholic institution.

 

Saint Mary’s offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement pension plan, and both undergraduate and graduate tuition remission plans.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.