Boston University is one of the nation’s premier private urban research universities. The University has attained its leadership status in higher education by attracting world-leading faculty in all disciplines, serving a highly qualified and diverse student body, and strategically focusing resources to maximize the impact of its research, scholarship, and outreach.

BU’s transformation into a leading research university has been fueled by visionary leadership, sound fiscal stewardship, and an adherence to BU’s foundational values of diversity and inclusive excellence.

Chartered in 1869, the University today enrolls more than 37,000 students and employs more than 4,200 faculty and 6,200 staff across 17 schools and colleges. Proudly situated in Boston, BU has a robust national profile and a far-reaching global impact, with students coming from all 50 US states and more than 140 countries.

The Opportunity

Boston University seeks a Senior Vice President for Advancement (SVP) who will build on BU’s legacy of transformative growth and take the University to new heights. Experienced, collaborative, and visionary, the SVP will drive a comprehensive strategy that reimagines BU’s advancement and alumni engagement programs in anticipation of its next ambitious fundraising campaign.

Serving as a key strategic partner to newly inaugurated President Melissa Gilliam and working alongside senior leaders across the institution, the SVP will align the University’s fundraising and engagement strategies with institutional priorities.

The ideal candidate will possess a range of competencies to ensure success in this position. They will be a highly accomplished advancement professional who brings a sophisticated approach to organizational leadership, empowering a robust advancement operation to substantially grow BU’s enterprise to engage its domestic and international alumni network.

Analytical and creative, tactical and inspiring, the SVP will advance innovative strategies and effective practices in a highly complex, dynamic environment.

This is a rare legacy-building opportunity to work alongside a visionary and inclusive President to achieve worthy goals that fuel BU’s success for years to come.