Vice President for Advancement
Smith College seeks a Vice President for Advancement (VPA) to lead all aspects of development and alum engagement and to partner with Smith’s president, Sarah Willie-LeBreton, to design and lead the college’s next comprehensive campaign—an ambitious, mission-driven effort to advance access, academic distinction, and the student experience for generations to come.
Founded in 1871 through the vision and philanthropy of Sophia Smith, Smith College advances a mission to provide an education of the highest quality and to prepare women for lives of purpose, leadership, and impact. From its earliest years, Smith has paired the power of the liberal arts with a commitment to academic freedom, equity, and opportunity—opening doors that once stood closed and expanding what is possible for its students.
Smith College has an endowment of $2.7 billion, and its fundraising program is characterized by consistent growth, broad participation, and a deeply loyal alum base. Over the last six fiscal years, the college has secured two gifts of over $50 million.
Reporting directly to President Willie-LeBreton, the VPA serves as the college’s chief strategist and counselor on philanthropy and alum engagement and is a key member of the president’s senior leadership team. The VPA will lead an experienced and dedicated advancement organization and serve as a visible ambassador to Smith’s extraordinary alum community, strengthening relationships that connect personal legacy to institutional purpose.
The ideal candidate is an inspiring and strategic leader - both visionary and operational - who can elevate Smith’s advancement enterprise, align it with institutional priorities, and position the college for continued excellence in an evolving philanthropic landscape.
Leadership Opportunity: Vice President for Advancement
The VPA serves as the chief advancement officer responsible for championing Smith's alum community and overseeing all fundraising programs while upholding the college's mission. This role requires thoughtful collaboration with college leadership to develop fundraising strategies, respond to emerging opportunities, and position Smith for future success through diplomacy, social intelligence, and collaborative agility.
The VPA will be a partner to President Willie-LeBreton, leading campaign planning efforts to translate the college's strategic plan into the most ambitious comprehensive campaign in Smith's history. The role requires developing and leading a talented team of approximately 75 advancement professionals while cultivating meaningful relationships with volunteer leaders, board members, and the college’s community of more than 54,000 alums. Critical focus areas include optimizing the Salesforce CRM platform for data-driven decision making and creating innovative engagement strategies that connect alums across all generations to support fundraising priorities including financial aid, faculty excellence, and campus infrastructure.
Qualifications
Smith College seeks a VPA who combines proven fundraising expertise with deep commitment to the liberal arts, women's education, and the values that define Smith. The successful candidate will bring strategic vision, operational excellence, and the ability to inspire diverse constituencies around a shared mission. A bachelor's degree is required.
The new VPA will be a collegial and trusted leader who will effectively manage an extensive administrative enterprise; promote and embody the values and mission of the college; inspire and energize supporters; collaborate effectively with other senior leaders; and represent Smith, its academic programs, and its educational mission to internal and external constituencies. They will have the leadership ability to mobilize and align staff and volunteers and the intellectual and personal energy to organize and sustain a multiyear campaign. The candidate will bring sophistication to using data and analytics to inform strategy, measure progress, and report results. Experience in a leadership role in a successful comprehensive campaign is highly preferred. Fundraising leadership experience in higher education is preferred but not required.
To review the full position description; please visit: LINK
Smith College has engaged Opus Partners to support this search. Senior Partner Craig Smith, Partner Kenna Boyd, and Managing Associate Abigail Maynard are leading the search, which will remain confidential to the extent possible. For additional information, to nominate qualified candidates, or to apply, please contact Abigail Maynard: abigail.maynard@opuspartners.net.
Candidates will provide a letter of interest and a current CV. Letters can highlight leadership experience and professional motivations, anticipate questions that might be prompted by these materials, or note an accomplishment that may not be evident on a CV. The college values diversity, equity, and inclusion and will seek a leader who is committed to promoting these values throughout the organization. The college encourages candidates to address how they might promote these values and highlight initiatives designed to remove barriers and to increase participation by groups historically underrepresented in postsecondary education.
In the course of the search, candidates should expect to provide evidence of their success in fundraising initiatives as well as a list of professional references. Smith College will conduct a comprehensive preemployment background check on the selected candidate.
In addition to a competitive benefits package, the salary range for this role is $375,000 to $475,000. Smith College is committed to paying competitively and equitably, taking into account the selected candidate’s relevant qualifications.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.
As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The college will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.
Position Type
RegularReview of applications will begin
Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.
As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.