Vice president Jobs in Cleveland, OH

Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA), one of the nation's leading independent colleges of art and design, seeks a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and relationship-driven leader to serve as its next Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA). Reporting directly to the President + CEO and serving as a member of the President's Cabinet, the VPIA will serve as the College's chief advancement officer and a key strategic partner in shaping CIA's next chapter of institutional growth, sustainability, and impact.

CIA enters this search at a moment of meaningful institutional momentum and philanthropic success. The College is in the final stretch of its $35 million Transformation Campaign, with more than $32 million raised to date and several historic milestones already achieved, including doubling CIA's endowment, securing the largest gift in the College's history, exceeding scholarship fundraising goals, launching the Jane B. Nord Center for Teaching + Learning, and opening the new state-of-the-art Interactive Media Lab an innovation hub at the nexus of art and design, technology, industry, and community.

The next Vice President for Institutional Advancement will play a central role in advancing that vision internally as a key stakeholder, as well as externally through philanthropy, partnerships, advocacy, and constituent engagement.

The Vice President of Institutional Advancement will join a highly engaged leadership team and play a critical role in helping CIA navigate and shape the future of art and design education. This role requires both strategic sophistication, systems thinking, and a growth mindset. The VPIA will lead advancement strategy while also maintaining meaningful engagement with donors, prospects, alumni, foundations, community leaders, and strategic partners.

The successful candidate will be:

• a strategic and collaborative leader,
• an exceptional relationship-builder,
• a compelling communicator and storyteller,
• and a forward-thinking advancement executive capable of balancing vision with execution.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and executing a comprehensive institutional advancement strategy aligned with CIA's strategic priorities and long-term financial sustainability.
• Leading and expanding all fundraising efforts, including major and principal gifts, annual giving (including alumni giving), foundation and corporate relations, planned giving, endowment giving, campaign strategy (current and future), and special initiatives.
• Supervising the Director of Development and Director of Grants + Institutional Relations. Other IA team members include an Advancement Operations Manager, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, Advancement Associate and an outsourced legislative consultant.
• CIA seeks candidates who bring:
• 10+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in advancement, development, philanthropy, or related external affairs roles.
• Demonstrated success securing major and principal gifts.
• Experience leading complex fundraising initiatives or campaigns.
• Proven ability to build and sustain relationships with donors, trustees, alumni, and community partners.
• Experience leading and developing teams with a collaborative and inclusive leadership approach.
• Exceptional communication skills, including writing, listening, storytelling, and verbal presentation, with the ability to inspire and influence diverse audiences.
• Strong ability to build relationships, foster trust, and effectively advance institutional priorities, complemented by sound judgment, creativity, and a sense of humor.
• Strong strategic planning, communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Experience using advancement technologies, CRM systems, and fundraising analytics to inform decision making and moves management strategy.
• Strong knowledge of financial and budget management.
• Understanding and commitment to the mission of the College, and a deep appreciation for the transformative role of creativity, art, and design in society.

A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred. Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience in higher education, arts and culture, or other mission-driven nonprofit organizations.
• Familiarity with campaign planning and campaign execution.
• Experience engaging creative industries, entrepreneurial ecosystems, or innovation-focused partnerships.
• Understanding of evolving philanthropic trends, donor engagement models, and advancement best practices.
• Knowledge of government regulations regarding philanthropic contributions.

The Vice President of Institutional Advancement is expected to maintain an active presence on campus and within the community. Evening and weekend events and regional travel are required, as well as occasional national travel.

Living near the Cleveland Institute of Art means being at the heart of one of America's most vibrant cultural districts. University Circle is home to world-renowned institutions including the Cleveland Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, Severance Music Center, Cleveland Botanical Garden, and Case Western Reserve University. Cleveland offers an exceptional quality of life, combining rich arts and cultural assets with affordability, vibrant neighborhoods, nationally recognized healthcare systems, extensive park systems, lakefront access, and a growing innovation economy.