Careers at Virginia Tech

Serving as a member of the dean's cabinet, the Assistant Dean of Advancement is responsible for planning and implementing an integrated approach to the Pamplin College of Business (PCOB) advancement program by overseeing development, alumni relations, as well as marketing and communications programs to maximize the support and exposure of the College. The Assistant Dean serves as chief development officer and manager of the College's advancement program, which recently achieved $16M per year in new gifts and commitments.

The Assistant Dean will lead a team focused on securing private philanthropic support by identifying targeted alumni, friends, and constituent engagement opportunities and providing excellent stewardship of donors. The Assistant Dean will work with colleagues to further develop corporate philanthropic opportunities. This position also partners with the College’s strategic marketing and communications team, helping to shape and extend the College's brand while furthering admissions, programmatic initiatives, and highlighting College priorities.

Dually reporting to the PCOB dean and to the centrally based associate vice president of advancement, the Assistant Dean oversees a staff of advancement professionals.

A successful Assistant Dean of Advancement will:
• Lead and participate in fundraising activities for the Pamplin College of Business.
• Manage a targeted portfolio of major and principal gift prospects to support the College’s fundraising priorities, goals, and long-term philanthropic growth.
• Participate in College leadership meetings; understand, communicate, and advocate for the College’s priorities.
• Work closely with the Dean, Associate Deans, department heads, program and center directors to develop and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies that advance and support their programs and initiatives.
• Design and execute strategic fundraising and engagement initiatives, including managing a portfolio of major gift prospects, to advance philanthropic growth and secure meaningful support.
• In partnership with the Director of Communications and Marketing, develop messaging and communications strategies to share the excitement, relevance, and successes of the College and its alumni.
• Manage, support, and develop the College Advancement team.
• Establish strong working relationships with central advancement, collegiate and constituent development officers, and the College advancement team to foster a productive work environment aligned with the PCOB initiative of OnePamplin.
• Travel, on average, five to eight days per month to cultivate, solicit, steward, and identify prospects.

• Master’s degree or bachelor’s degree with significant experience and training equivalent to an advanced degree.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising, sales/marketing, advertising.
• Progressive leadership experience and a high level of professionalism.
• Exceptional communication skills with a proven ability to motivate volunteers and donors.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work as a team member in a complex organization.
• Ability and willingness to travel on a frequent basis.

• Experience in higher education fundraising.
• Proven success in building productive relationships with senior administrators, key business leaders, faculty, staff, institutional boards, volunteers, and donors.
• Previous major gifts experience working with progressively complex strategies.
• Experience with corporate engagement.

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Regular

$210,000 - $240,000

40+

January 12th, 2026

Regional, national, and international travel required for the purposes of conducting field research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, which may include overnights and weekends.

Must have the ability and willingness to travel utilizing standard, commercial, and/or personal modes of transportation.

Ability to work nights and weekends, and participation in college or university programs when possible.

Unable to sponsor work visas

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.