Vice President for Advancement University of Nebraska at Kearney

Join a team of strategic, trusted professionals dedicated to building relationships and securing resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives.

Leadership Opportunity

Are you ready to lead a bold and transformative advancement enterprise at one of the University of Nebraskas most innovative and rapidly evolving campuses?

Are you energized by the pioneering partnership between the University of Nebraska at Kearney and the University of Nebraska Medical Center an alliance tackling rural Nebraskas health care workforce challenges head-on?

Are you a strategic, relationship-driven fundraiser who thrives on securing philanthropic support and creating lasting donor impact?

Do you lead with vision mentoring, coaching and empowering others to build a high-performing, mission-driven team?

Are you a passionate advocate for the University of Nebraska, with a deep belief in the power of philanthropy and higher education to transform lives?

Do you care deeply about Nebraska its people, its future and see the University of Nebraska as a vital force for progress as the states only public research university?

If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply for this exciting leadership opportunity.

About the University of Nebraska at Kearney

Located in the vibrant city of Kearney, UNK is a catalyst for innovation, education and economic growth in central Nebraska. Recognized as a U.S. News & World ReportBest Valueand top 10-ranked public Midwest university, UNK delivers an exceptional student experience through expert faculty, hands-on learning and strong career preparation.

UNK is leading the charge to address Nebraskas rural health care workforce shortage through a groundbreaking partnership with UNMC. The new Health Science Education Center II opening soon in the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex will make UNK home to the largest interdisciplinary rural health care training campus in the U.S., including the first opportunity for UNMC medical students to earn their degrees in Kearney.

With nationally recognized programs in business, technology and teacher education, UNK continues its legacy of preparing leaders across Nebraska and beyond.

Philanthropic support is strong and growing. UNK has surpassed its $70 million goal inOnly in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University's Futurewith a strong trajectory and momentum driven by passionate donors, dedicated volunteers and visionary leadership under Chancellor Neal Schnoor, Ph.D.

Schnoor became the universitys chancellor July 1, 2025. A Nebraska native and former longtime faculty member and administrator at UNK with more than 30 years of experience in higher education leadership and public service, Dr. Schnoor is the right leader to guide UNKs bold future.

UNK CAMPUS

Students

• UNK has 4,213 undergraduate students and 1,668 graduate students.
• Students come to UNK from 92 of the 93 Nebraska counties, 47 states and 56 countries.

Faculty

• UNK has 315 full-time and 141 part-time faculty.
• 83% of courses are taught by full-time faculty (not graduate assistants or adjuncts).
• Nearly 75% of full-time faculty have the highest degrees in their fields.

Academics

• UNK offers 121 undergraduate majors, 21 pre-professional programs, 54 graduate programs and 11 certificates.

Student Placement

• Many UNK programs have a job placement rate thats nearly 100%, including accounting, athletic training, education (particularly those with endorsements in biology, chemistry, language arts, math, music, physics and special education), cyber systems, graphic arts, industrial technology, school psychology and speech-language pathology.
• 79% of Nebraskas PK-12 schools have UNK graduates teaching.

Athletics

• UNK is a member of the NCAA Division II Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
• Programs offered include softball, football, volleyball, wrestling, womens swimming and diving, womens soccer, mens and womens cross country, mens and womens basketball, mens and womens tennis, womens golf, and mens and womens track and field.

UNK ALUMNI

• More than 63,000 living alumni reside in every state and 83 countries.
• The UNK Alumni Association promotes communication and interaction among alumni, students, faculty, administrators and friends of UNK. The alumni association holds events across Nebraska as well as regionally and nationally.
• UNKs official alumni publication, UNK Today magazine, is published twice a year, and a monthly newsletter is emailed to alumni.

PHILANTHROPY

• 601 endowed funds have been created to support UNK priorities through the University of Nebraska Foundation.
• Approximately 3,700 donors give to UNK annually.
• An annual giving day, One Day for UNK, encourages philanthropic support from alumni, students, friends and fans of the university.

About the Opportunity

The University of Nebraska Foundation is seeking a dynamic, collaborative advancement leader to elevate fundraising and alumni engagement at UNK. This is your chance to shape the future of a rapidly growing campus and lead philanthropic efforts to advance a top 10-ranked public university in a vibrant community.

As Vice President for Advancement, youll lead a high-performing team and oversee all aspects of the advancement ecosystem alumni engagement, major and principal gifts, pipeline development and strategic partnerships. Youll work from UNKs new Regional Engagement Center, a hub of innovation and economic growth in central Nebraska, and play a key role in the historicOnly in Nebraskacampaign.

Your Impact:

• Drive major gift strategy and alumni engagement initiatives.
• Build trusted partnerships with UNK leadership, faculty and staff.
• Lead, mentor and inspire a results-driven advancement team.
• Serve on the Chancellors Executive Leadership Team as a strategic partner and adviser.
• Champion UNKs role in theOnly in Nebraskacampaign.
• Collaborate with advancement leaders across the NU system.
• Use data to set goals, measure success and guide strategic decisions.

Who We Want:

• A high-energy, optimistic fundraiser with a passion for storytelling and relationship building.
• A connector who helps donors align their passions with UNKs mission.
• A strategic thinker and trusted adviser in navigating the evolving higher education landscape.
• A culture builder who fosters collaboration, trust and team empowerment.

What You Need:

• Bachelors degree required; Masters preferred.
• Deep appreciation for UNKs mission and ability to articulate its vision.
• 8+ years of progressive fundraising and leadership experience, ideally in higher education. Candidates with other relevant executive experience are encouraged to apply.
• Proven success securing seven-figure gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations.
• Exceptional communication skillsdemonstrating clarity and elegance in writing and speaking.
• Outstanding interpersonal and relational skills, emotional intelligence and intellectual curiosity.
• Strong personal integrity and work ethicwith the ability to be persistent and persuasive, supported by a resilient, optimistic mindset.

What we offer:

• The location for this position is our Kearney office. We offer flexibility for hybrid work.This position will require travel.
• Mission-driven work that changes lives and saves lives.
• A strengths-based, engagement-focused and performance-oriented culture.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities for your career growth.
• An award-winning wellness program.
• 12 weeks of paid medical leave, including maternity and paternity leave.
• 12 paid holidays and generous vacation time.
• A generous retirement match and multiple incentive compensation programs.
• University of Nebraska tuition reimbursement for you and your dependents.

Who we are:

• Founded in 1936, the University of Nebraska Foundation provides support for the campuses in the university system the University of Nebraska Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center and its primary clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine.
• Among public universities, the University of Nebraska ranks in the top 25 nationally for both funds raised and endowed assets under management.
• The foundation has a reputation for efficiency and effectiveness, raising more than $7 for every $1 spent.
• Winner of Gallups Don Clifton Strengths-Based Culture Award.
• Winner of the Governors Harvester Wellness Award, the highest honor for corporate wellness.

Application Process

Please apply directly on our website: https://nufoundation.org/careers

The University of Nebraska Foundation is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to a work environment free from discrimination and harassment where all employees feel respected and valued. We will consider all qualified applicants in accordance with applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rightsnotice from the Department of Labor.

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