Job Details

Associate Vice President, Health and Life Sciences Advancement

Position Number: 9909833
Location: Boston, United States
Position Type: Development and Fund Raising

Associate Vice President, Health and Life Sciences Advancement

Job Description
Associate Vice President, Health and Life Sciences Advancement

Category
Charles River Campus --> Professional
Job Location
Boston, MA, United States
Tracking Code
26501067811014
Posted Date
10/20/2026
Salary Grade
Grade 52
Expected Hiring Range Minimum
$250,000.00
Expected Hiring Range Maximum
$300,000.00

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training and internal pay comparison. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Type
Full-Time/Regular

Boston University Advancement

Boston University Advancement is at a pivotal moment, guided by new leadership and a clear strategic framework for growth and impact. Our work is organized around three core priorities: securing $500 million in philanthropy annually; deepening relationships with a strategically defined segment of alumni and donors; and strengthening the organizational foundation while launching focused priority areas across the University.

Advancement is evolving into a highly collaborative, matrixed model that integrates new University leadership, regional engagement, and the distinctive strengths of BU's schools and colleges. With more than 250 advancement professionals, the organization is building the capacity, partnerships, and culture required to deliver sustained philanthropic momentum and institutional impact.

Associate Vice President, Health and Life Sciences Advancement

Boston University's strengths across medicine, public health, dentistry, rehabilitation sciences, social work, and the natural sciences create significant opportunities to advance scientific discovery, improve health outcomes, and address complex challenges affecting individuals and communities. The Associate Vice President (AVP), Health & Life Sciences Advancement, will lead the philanthropic strategy that connects these strengths with transformative philanthropic investment.

Reporting to the Vice President, Schools & Colleges Advancement, the AVP serves as the senior advancement leader for Boston University's Health & Life Sciences portfolio, providing strategic direction for fundraising across the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, School of Public Health, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Social Work, and related natural sciences departments and interdisciplinary initiatives.

The AVP partners closely with academic deans, University leadership, faculty, advancement colleagues, alumni, donors, and volunteer leaders to develop and execute fundraising strategies that advance academic priorities, biomedical and scientific research, public health, faculty excellence, student success, and institutional goals. The position identifies, develops, and advances transformational philanthropic opportunities that strengthen BU's leadership in health and life sciences.

As a member of the Schools & Colleges Advancement senior leadership team, the AVP serves as a catalyst for interdisciplinary philanthropy, connecting academic expertise, donor interests, and institutional priorities around compelling "Big Ideas" that address society's most pressing challenges. The AVP leads collaborative advancement efforts across schools, colleges, centers, institutes, and research units, advancing coordinated fundraising strategies, campaign priorities, volunteer engagement, and institutional philanthropic goals.

Position Responsibilities

Fundraising and Principal Gift Leadership (45%)

Lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of leadership, principal, and transformational gift prospects across the Health & Life Sciences portfolio, maintaining a personal portfolio of high-capacity donors.
Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies supporting the School of Medicine, School of Public Health, Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Sargent College, School of Social Work, Natural Sciences, and related health sciences priorities.
Build and deepen relationships with healthcare leaders, biotechnology entrepreneurs, pharmaceutical executives, health-focused foundations, industry partners, and influential alumni.
Develop and present principal and transformational gift proposals and donor engagement strategies.

Strategic Portfolio Leadership and Convergence Initiatives (25%)

Set the strategic direction for advancement across the Health & Life Sciences portfolio, aligning fundraising priorities with school, college, and University goals.
Lead the development and advancement of interdisciplinary fundraising initiatives and "Big Ideas" that connect schools, colleges, centers, institutes, and research units around shared opportunities for philanthropic investment.
Identify opportunities that leverage the collective strengths of medicine, public health, dentistry, rehabilitation sciences, social work, and the natural sciences to advance discovery, improve health outcomes, and address complex societal challenges.
Partner with academic deans, faculty leaders, and University leadership to translate emerging research, clinical priorities, academic initiatives, and institutional ambitions into compelling fundraising opportunities.
Lead portfolio-level planning and prioritization, identifying opportunities to strengthen donor pipelines, advance campaign priorities, and maximize philanthropic potential across the academic ecosystem.
Represent the portfolio in University-wide campaign planning, strategic discussions, and cross-school initiatives, advocating for opportunities that advance both portfolio and institutional objectives.
Lead and coordinate cluster-wide governance structures and Dean's Advisory Board engagement in partnership with the AVP, Development Volunteer and Leadership Engagement.

Advancement Strategy, Volunteer Engagement, and Partnerships (15%)

Provide strategic oversight of integrated advancement efforts across the portfolio, including donor relations, stewardship, alumni engagement, volunteer leadership, and events.
Establish strategic growth targets and performance objectives for cluster-wide advancement activities, monitoring progress and identifying opportunities to strengthen philanthropic outcomes.
Partner with school-based advancement teams to develop coordinated advancement plans that strengthen prospect pipelines, deepen constituent engagement, and advance fundraising goals.
Guide the development and engagement of advisory boards, volunteer leadership networks, and external partnerships that expand BU's reach and philanthropic potential.
Develop high-impact cultivation, engagement, and stewardship opportunities that connect donors and volunteers with faculty expertise, scientific discoveries, clinical innovations, student experiences, and institutional priorities.
Promote a coordinated, high-quality donor experience across schools, colleges, and advancement teams, ensuring that engagement strategies reflect shared priorities and reinforce long-term philanthropic relationships.

Leadership, Staff Development, and Operations (15%)

Provide strategic direction and leadership to advancement professionals, Assistant Deans, and academic partners supporting the Health & Life Sciences portfolio, establishing clear priorities, goals, and performance expectations.
Set the strategic vision for the portfolio, establish and execute annual and long-term advancement goals, and lead teams toward measurable fundraising and engagement outcomes.
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and fundraising excellence, strengthening coordination across school-based teams and University-wide advancement functions.
Lead staff development, performance management, talent growth, and organizational planning to build a high-performing advancement operation equipped to meet evolving institutional priorities.
Oversee portfolio-level planning, prospect management, and performance assessment, using fundraising results and pipeline insights to inform decisions, allocate resources, and improve effectiveness.
Serve as a senior advisor to the Vice President, Schools & Colleges Advancement, on fundraising strategy, leadership engagement, and emerging philanthropic opportunities related to health sciences, biomedical research, public health, and interdisciplinary initiatives.
Collaborate with fellow Associate Vice Presidents, Assistant Deans, and other advancement leaders to coordinate institutional priorities and advance University-wide fundraising goals.
Ensure the Health & Life Sciences advancement strategy aligns with University Advancement's comprehensive campaign priorities and broader strategic initiatives.

Required Skills

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree.
10+ years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, fundraising, development, or a related field, including demonstrated success securing major gifts and advancing complex fundraising initiatives.
Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic fundraising plans aligned with institutional priorities and organizational goals.
Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward high-capacity donors and build lasting relationships with alumni, philanthropic leaders, and other key stakeholders.
Demonstrated success managing significant fundraising opportunities, with the ability to develop compelling cases for support and advance complex philanthropic commitments.
Strong strategic, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate fundraising opportunities, assess prospect pipelines, and make data-informed decisions.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present fundraising strategies and communicate effectively with senior leaders, academic deans, faculty, donors, and volunteers.
Demonstrated leadership experience managing, developing, and evaluating staff, establishing performance expectations, and fostering a collaborative, results-oriented culture.
Advanced project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and lead multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
Demonstrated ability to build partnerships, influence stakeholders, exercise sound judgment, and work independently in a complex organization.

Additional Qualifications

Master's degree, including an MBA, MPA, MPH, or a related field.
Experience in higher education advancement, particularly within medicine, public health, dentistry, rehabilitation sciences, social work, biomedical research, or the natural sciences.
Demonstrated success securing principal, transformational, or other significant philanthropic gifts in support of research, clinical initiatives, faculty excellence, student success, or institutional priorities.
Experience partnering with academic deans, faculty leaders, executive leadership, and volunteer leaders to develop and advance fundraising strategies.
Experience leading interdisciplinary fundraising initiatives that connect multiple schools, colleges, departments, research centers, or institutes.

But that's not all we're looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect, because we value every member's contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
Continuous growth and improvement, both as individuals and as a team.
Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

To apply and learn more about Advancement at Boston University and other job opportunities, please stop by the Advancement Talent website: https://www.bu.edu/advancement-talent/.

We recognize that no candidate brings every experience or qualification to a role. If you're excited about this opportunity and believe your skills and experiences could contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply, even if your background doesn't align perfectly with every qualification listed. We value diverse perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking, and we're committed to building a team where everyone can thrive.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural, protective, or culturally significant hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If you require reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796.

Required Skills

Job Location: Boston, MA
Position Type: Full-Time/Regular
Salary Grade: $250,000.00-$300,000.00

To apply, visit https://jobs.silkroad.com/BU/External/jobs/317447