Vice President for University Advancement

Missouri State University–a rising star in American higher education–seeks an inspired and inspirational leader, an exemplary professional, a masterful relationship-builder, and a believer in the power of community to join its team as the next Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the Missouri State Foundation. This is an exciting opportunity for an action-oriented advancement leader who embraces change, aspires to excellence, and is motivated by setting new standards, and–above all else–thrives in a people-oriented, community-based environment. The successful candidate will be welcomed warmly by the University family, and they will be a pillar in the city of Springfield embraced by the leaders and citizens of a vibrant and very livable city with which they will engage as a senior MSU liaison and partner.

Missouri State University, founded in 1905 as Missouri’s Fourth District Normal School, is now a public, doctoral granting university. MSU enrolls over 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students and employs approximately 1,100 faculty and 1,350 staff. The University offers 102 graduate and 61 postgraduate programs, including nine doctoral degrees. In addition, Missouri State now has three campuses outside of Springfield: MSU-West Plains, an open admission, two-year campus of the Missouri State University System; MSU-Mountain Grove, a 190-acre fruit experimentation station; and MSU-China programs based in Dalian, China.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience as a senior advancement professional in higher education or relevant experience in a comparable environment. A Bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s degree is preferred. The VPUA serves as the University’s chief advancement officer, as well as Executive Director of the Missouri State University Foundation, which raises funds to benefit the University and manages an endowment of approximately $115 million that is invested and deployed to achieve the University’s mission and goals. The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader with experience providing leadership and direction for a team, including mentoring employees, managing workflow, evaluating performance, and supporting professional development.

Additional information about Missouri State University is available at: https://www.missouristate.edu

Nominations and Applications

To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by March 17, 2023. The MSU Search Committee will immediately begin the review of applications and continue work until an appointment is made. Candidates are encouraged to review the search profile, which can be accessed above. 

Applications must include:

• A letter of interest that addresses the leadership opportunities and attributes outlined in the profile;
• A curriculum vitae, and
• The names and contact information (telephone and email) of four professional references (none of whom will be contacted without the permission of the candidate).

Applications should be sent electronically (MS Word or PDF) to: MSUVPUA@agbsearch.com

Nominations and expressions of interest are encouraged. Please direct them to: MSUVPUA@agbsearch.com

or to:

Joy Yablonsky, Executive Search Consultant, joy.yablonsky@agbsearch.com / (215) 934-1386

Mark W. Jones, J.D., Executive Search Consultant , mark.jones@agbsearch.com / (920) 265-0851

Kimberly Templeton, J.D., Principal, kimberly.templeton@agbsearch.com / (540) 761-9494

Missouri State University is committed to diversity as a core institutional value and responsibility. Diversity is central to providing and retaining a quality educational environment. As a public affairs institution, the University must develop educated persons who are equipped to contribute to the interdependent world in which we now live. The ability to adapt to rapid economic, social, and cultural changes is imperative. An understanding of diverse cultures and societies has not only become necessary to function in today’s workplace, it also enriches one’s life and work.

Missouri State University is committed to programs and practices that ensure an environment free of barriers of discrimination in education and employment and that establish a collegial and just community. To achieve this end, Missouri State University views, evaluates, and treats all persons in any University-related activity or circumstance in which they may be involved, solely as individuals on the basis of their one personal abilities, qualifications, and relevant characteristics.