Description

Marywood University seeks a strategic, visionary, and results-oriented executive leader to partner with the President and the Board of Trustees to lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive university advancement program. The Vice President for University Advancement (VPUA) will join the President’s Cabinet and lead a multidisciplinary team dedicated to fostering a campus-wide culture of philanthropy and engagement that supports the University’s mission, strategic priorities, and long-term institutional sustainability.

Marywood University is situated on a stunning 115-acre campus in Scranton, Pennsylvania and serves a diverse and growing community of more than 3,000 students across its undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the charism of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the University’s academic portfolio is designed to meet the evolving demands of the modern workforce, offering over 80 degrees from the bachelor’s to the doctoral level. 

The University is organized into two primary colleges: the College of Health, Human Services, and the Sciences and the Reap College of Creative and Professional Studies. Marywood has consistently pioneered new educational pathways in the region; it was the first local institution to offer doctoral degrees, currently distinguished by the Ph.D. in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies and the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology. Additionally, the University is home to the region's first School of Architecture, which has recently expanded to include Construction Management. Marywood University is fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and holds specialized accreditations for various professional programs.

The University’s impact extends far beyond campus, with a global network of 33,752 living alumni. This engaged community, combined with a significant investment in the physical plant valued at nearly $150 million, underscores Marywood’s stability and its enduring legacy in higher education. Most recently, Marywood has solidified its reputation as a hub for the health professions with the 2024 dedication of the Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion. 

As a senior executive officer and a member of the President’s Cabinet, the VPUA provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for a comprehensive advancement operation that includes major and principal gifts, annual giving, alumni relations, and corporate and foundation relations. The successful candidate will serve as the President’s chief advisor and lead gift officer, balancing executive leadership with the hands-on cultivation of leadership-level philanthropy to advance the University’s mission and long-term sustainability. The VPUA leads a multidisciplinary team of advancement, grant, and corporate partnership professionals in a role defined by its commitment to fostering a campus-wide culture of philanthropy, stewardship, and institutional responsibility.

Completed applications are due by April 6, 2026. To ensure full consideration, you will be required to submit: 1) a current resume or CV; 2) a cover letter addressing the position; and 3) the contact information for three professional references (a current or former supervisor, a current or former direct report, and a professional colleague). The search page, which includes the Executive Search Profile and application and nomination links, is located at https://rhperry.com/marywoodvpua.

RH Perry & Associates, a national executive search firm, is assisting Marywood University in this search. All confidential communications may be directed to our search team: Mr. Kevin Cavanagh, Senior Consultant, at 646-342-1700, or Dr. Michael Pressimone, Senior Consultant, at 610-927-7300, or to MarywoodVPUA@rhperry.com. 

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

Master’s degree required; terminal degree preferred.
Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in university advancement, fundraising, grants, or related philanthropic leadership.
Demonstrated success in major and principal gift fundraising, grant acquisition, corporate sponsorship development, and comprehensive campaign leadership.
Proven experience managing complex advancement and grant operations, teams, and budgets.
Strong strategic planning, analytical, and organizational skills.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
Commitment to ethical fundraising, grant compliance, and mission-driven leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience leading advancement, grant, and sponsorship efforts at a tuition-dependent, mission-driven institution.
Successful experience working with Boards of Trustees and senior executive leadership.
Familiarity with advancement systems, CRM platforms, and data-driven fundraising and grant management models.
Experience expanding foundation, corporate, government, and sponsorship funding portfolios.