Associate Vice President for Development

Type: Full-Time
Posted: Today
Application Due: Open Until Filled
Category: Administrative Vice Presidents; +1 Development and Fundraising

ABOUT EDWARD WATERS UNIVERSITY

Edward Waters University (EWU or the University) is distinctively the State of Florida's first independent institution of higher learning as well as Florida's first institution established for the education of African Americans. With a distinguished higher education lineage spanning 160 years, EWU is primed to continue its Emerging Eminence as a premier urban, private, Christian, historically Black, liberal arts university offering high quality degrees and preparing students holistically to advance in a global society through intellectually stimulating academic programs of study. The University offers a close knit, collegial, intellectual community that draws students and scholars from around the world, and it is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award its degrees.

True to its historic mission, EWU provides access and opportunity to a high quality undergraduate and graduate education consisting of a reinvigorated, practical, and engaged liberal arts curriculum, supported by comprehensive academic services that promote scholarship, achievement, and overall student success. The institution's graduates are pioneering leaders, insatiable learners, and critical thinkers who are highly skilled in navigating new environments, integrating knowledge from different sources, and becoming agents for positive change in every sector of society.

EWU AT A GLANCE

Buttressed by a period of phenomenal transformation, Edward Waters University's enrollment has grown by nearly 40 percent since 2019, reaching nearly 1,300 students in fall 2026, its highest enrollment in more than twenty years. EWU has been recognized as the fastest growing historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the State of Florida, and in May 2026 it graduated the largest class in its 160-year history. Earlier this month, the Jacksonville Business Journal ranked EWU number one among all colleges and universities in Jacksonville and on the First Coast for revenue growth from 2019 to 2024.

The University's momentum continues to build. In October 2026, EWU announced a $33 million capital investment that will transform the institution over the next 18 months, and the University recently received a $1 million gift to its endowment from the Dimon Foundation. In December 2025, EWU completed its decennial reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges with zero recommendations, and it was ranked among the top 25 institutions in the nation for social mobility in the U.S. News and World Report 2025 rankings.

The historic University offers seventeen academic degree programs, including Business Administration, Biology, Criminal Justice, Mass Communication, Psychology, Accounting, Sports Management, Social Work, Public Health, Computer and Information Science, and Forensic Science, as well as fully online graduate degree programs in Business Administration (Master of Business Administration), Public Administration (Master of Public Administration), Education Policy and Advocacy (Master of Arts), and Cybersecurity (Master of Science). EWU is a member institution of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and is proud of its founding and continuing tradition in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.

Additionally, EWU is Florida's only NCAA Division II HBCU, having earned full National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II membership in 2024, and competes in a broad array of varsity sports as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).

CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, THE FIRST COAST OF FLORIDA

At 840 square miles, Jacksonville is the largest city in the continental United States by landmass. With one of Florida's youngest populations, Jacksonville, or Jax as locals call it, is a city that leaves you feeling refreshed yet accomplished, because while there is plenty to do, there is never any rush to get it done. The city enjoys an average of 270 days of sunshine per year and boasts the largest urban park system in the country.

In Jax, you can experience a different side of Florida, combining relaxation and adventure. Enjoy 22 miles of beaches, world class fishing, historic neighborhoods, NFL football with the hometown Jacksonville Jaguars, a vibrant street arts scene, creative coastal cuisine, lively nightlife, and outstanding shopping, from boutiques in eclectic neighborhoods to the open air St. Johns Town Center. A central travel hub by land, sea, and air, Jacksonville offers nonstop flights to more than 30 cities across the United States.

POSITION SUMMARY & OVERVIEW

Under the dynamic and progressive leadership of President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., Edward Waters University seeks an experienced, strategic, and relationship focused Associate Vice President for Development to lead the University's development operations and institutional fundraising strategy. Reporting to the Chief of Staff and Executive Officer for University Advancement, the Associate Vice President serves as a senior member of the Division of Institutional Advancement leadership team.

The Associate Vice President carries particular responsibility for foundation, corporate, and institutional partnership support, donor stewardship, and the systems that make the development office effective. Working in close coordination with the Executive Director for University Marketing and Communications, Director of the Annual Fund, and the Director of Alumni Affairs, the Associate Vice President helps build a culture of philanthropy that grows alumni participation, deepens donor relationships, and strengthens the University's long term financial foundation.

Opportunities and Expectations for the Associate Vice President for Development

The Associate Vice President works collaboratively with the Executive Officer for University Advancement, the President, University leadership, and advancement staff to position Edward Waters University for sustained philanthropic growth during a period of remarkable institutional momentum.

Grow Foundation, Corporate, and Institutional Partnership Support

The Associate Vice President will lead the University's efforts to identify, cultivate, and secure support from foundations, corporations, and institutional partners. This includes researching funding opportunities, developing compelling proposals, and managing funder relationships from first contact through stewardship and renewal.

Build a Comprehensive Stewardship Program

The Associate Vice President will design and manage stewardship programs that recognize donors, report meaningfully on the impact of their gifts, and encourage renewed and increased support, with the goal of strong and steadily improving donor retention.

Strengthen Development Systems and Operations

The Associate Vice President will strengthen the infrastructure of the development office, including prospect research, moves management, gift processing standards, and donor data integrity, so that every donor relationship is documented and belongs to the University.

Build & Support the Major Gift Program

In partnership with the Executive Officer for University Advancement and the University's major gift team, the Associate Vice President will support the cultivation and solicitation of major gifts through prospect research, donor briefings, proposal development, and diligent follow through, contributing to the growth of the University's major gift portfolio.

Increase Alumni Giving Participation

The Associate Vice President will coordinate with the Director of the Annual Fund and the Director of Alumni Affairs on strategies that increase the percentage of alumni who give to the University each year.

Expand National Partnerships

The Associate Vice President will cultivate relationships with national higher education and philanthropic organizations, including the United Negro College Fund, to expand partnership and capacity building opportunities for the University.

KEY LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

The Associate Vice President for Development develops and carries out the University's annual development plan in partnership with the Executive Officer for University Advancement, aligned with the University's strategic plan and institutional priorities. This leader directs foundation, corporate, and institutional partnership fundraising and oversees reporting and compliance for externally funded partnerships and initiatives, ensuring that commitments to funders are met fully and on time.

The Associate Vice President leads donor stewardship, strengthens the development office's research, data, and gift processing systems, and supports the major gift program through research, briefings, proposals, and follow through. In coordination with the Director of the Annual Fund and the Director of Alumni Affairs, this leader advances strategies to increase alumni giving participation. The Associate Vice President also prepares development data and reports for the Executive Officer for University Advancement's quarterly reviews, measuring progress in partnership support, proposals funded, new partnerships secured, donor retention, and growth in alumni participation and the major gift portfolio.

QUALIFICATIONS & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

The Associate Vice President will hold a master's degree, with an earned doctorate preferred, and bring at least five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in higher education or a comparable nonprofit setting, including leadership at the director level or above. The successful candidate will have experience in development, corporate relations, stewardship, or institutional partnership development, along with demonstrated success securing funding and managing external partnerships that strengthen higher education institutions.

Preferred qualifications include experience engaging presidents, provosts, and senior leaders, including through a national higher education organization; experience at Historically Black Colleges and Universities; and strong strategic planning and project management skills.

Personal Qualities:

The Associate Vice President will possess a deep commitment to the mission, values, and strategic vision of Edward Waters University. This individual will have the ability to build relationships, inspire confidence among donors and partners, and foster a collaborative environment that advances the University's goals. High ethical standards, integrity, discretion, and sound judgment are essential, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills and the capacity to think strategically and solve problems.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & EXPECTATIONS

The Associate Vice President is expected to maintain a visible presence at University, donor, alumni, and community events, serving as an engaged ambassador for Edward Waters University, and to cultivate positive, collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders. The position requires periodic travel within Jacksonville, throughout Florida, and across the nation, along with participation in evening and weekend events in support of the University's advancement priorities.

[Note: This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required or assigned to an employee in this position.]

Edward Waters University values Diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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