Join Our Team

Welcome to the Marshall University Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing the mission of Marshall University through philanthropy. We build enduring relationships that maximize advocacy and philanthropy to support Marshall University. Marshall Foundation team members are mission-driven and dedicated to connecting people and developing partnerships.

The Marshall Foundation is committed to developing its team members and helping them grow their careers while fulfilling the organization’s mission. Through teamwork and collaboration, people across the organization work to grow and foster relationships between benefactors and the university.

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Vice President of Alumni Relations

• • Establish a clear, compelling vision for alumni engagement that reflects Marshall’s values, traditions, and aspirations, positioning the department as a strategic driver of institutional success.
  • Develop multi‑year engagement strategies that expand the reach, depth, and diversity of alumni involvement, with measurable goals tied to participation, volunteerism, and philanthropic outcomes.
  • Use data‑driven insights to identify emerging trends, evaluate program effectiveness, and refine strategies that strengthen alumni affinity and institutional loyalty.
  • Cultivate a vibrant, engaged alumni community that celebrates Marshall’s history, amplifies alumni achievements, and reinforces the University’s role as a lifelong home.
  • Strengthen signature traditions, such as Homecoming, Fountain Ceremony, Alumni Awards Banquet, chapter events, regional gatherings, and milestone reunions, to deepen emotional connection and reinforce the Marshall experience.
  • Elevate the visibility of alumni impact through storytelling, recognition programs, and strategic communications that inspire pride and engagement.

• Serve as the primary Foundation liaison to the Marshall University Alumni Association Board of Directors, ensuring the Board is well‑supported, well‑informed, and positioned to fulfill its governance responsibilities.
• Provide strategic guidance to the Board President and Executive Committee, including agenda planning, meeting preparation, and alignment with University and Foundation priorities.
• Ensure all Board activities, decisions, and communications adhere to established bylaws, policies, and best practices in nonprofit governance.
• Facilitate Board development by identifying training needs, onboarding new directors, and cultivating a pipeline of future volunteer leaders.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to University and Foundation leadership on matters related to alumni engagement, volunteer leadership, and constituent relations.
• Build strong partnerships with campus units, including Athletics, Admissions, Career Education, Student Affairs, and academic colleges, to integrate alumni into the life of the University and support institutional goals.
• Ensure the department operates with clarity, accountability, and alignment, modeling collaborative leadership and a service‑oriented approach.

• Lead, mentor, and evaluate professional staff responsible for alumni engagement, volunteer management, communications, and chapter support, ensuring the team operates with shared purpose.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high‑caliber talent, fostering a culture that values creativity, data‑informed decision‑making, and exceptional service to alumni and campus partners.
• Provide coaching and professional development opportunities that strengthen staff capabilities and prepare team members for expanded responsibilities and future leadership roles.

• Oversee the Alumni Relations operating budget, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources, alignment with strategic priorities, and adherence to Foundation financial policies.
• Develop annual budget proposals and long‑range financial plans that support departmental growth, program expansion, and strategic initiatives.
• Monitor expenditures, assess resource needs, and make data‑driven adjustments in collaboration with the President & CEO to maximize impact and operational efficiency.

• A relationship-driven leader who builds lifelong connections between Marshall University and its more than 120,000 alumni. Brings intellectual curiosity and fresh, new ideas to alumni engagement, grounded in humility, grace, and a strong ability to listen.
• Leads with grit and a commitment to teamwork, effectively enlisting, energizing, and empowering volunteers, including the MUAA Board, chapters, and affinity groups, to expand Marshall’s reach and deepen alumni involvement. Maintains a disciplined focus on time, people, and resources to ensure strong execution and impact.
• Serves as a strategic thinker who works across campus, aligning alumni engagement with institutional priorities, fundraising strategy, and advancement services. Drives for results while fostering a high-performing culture that supports both innovation and accountability.
• Continuously innovates for impact, leveraging data and benchmarking, including CASE Alumni Engagement Metrics, to guide decision-making and measure success. Inspires others through personal action, modeling the values of stewardship, pride, and transparency in all interactions.

Director of Philanthropy

The Director of Philanthropy is a key member of the Development Team and responsible for establishing, building and deepening meaningful relationships with Marshall University Foundation prospects and donors.   Directors of Philanthropy cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors with the capacity to make major gifts at the $25,000 level and greater.

This is a position for an entrepreneurial and relationship-driven fundraiser to expand and deepen the philanthropic contributions of a portfolio of prospects and donors. In 2026, the Marshall University Foundation will launch a major fundraising campaign and the Director of Philanthropy will work collaboratively with Foundation and University colleagues to fulfill the campaign goals.

Strategic Prospect and Donor Engagement

• Work closely with the CDO and Foundation and Development staff, university deans, faculty and key volunteers to pursue a coordinated and strategic program of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors.
• Identify, qualify, and advance major gift prospects through proactive prospecting, referrals, research, events, and relationship-building.
• Make direct solicitations and close gifts; maintain a high level of donor and prospect engagement, including regular in-person and virtual meetings
• Manage a major gift donor portfolio of current, dormant, and prospective donors with the capacity to make gifts of $25,000 or greater.
• By building relationships through cultivation and stewardship raise a minimum of $500,000 annually.

Portfolio Management

• Leverage prospect research, data, and analytics to prioritize outreach, refine strategy, and strengthen the donor pipeline.
• Document contacts and strategies using the moves management system.
• Adhere to the Foundation’s policies and procedures for accepting, recording and acknowledging gifts and pledges.

Other Duties

• Pursue professional growth activities in collaboration with the Chief Development Officer.
• Participate as a full member of the advancement team attending prospect management meetings, professional development activities and other staff meetings, as appropriate.
• Monitor and process expenditures on a timely basis and within approved budgets.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE

REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of 3 years of progressive and successful philanthropic development, relationship-based institutional sales, marketing, and/or related experience.
• Proven experience developing and managing relationships with high-level prospects.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – written, verbal, and presentation.
• Strong organizational skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to travel locally and nationally to fulfill Key Responsibilities.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends to fulfill Key Responsibilities.

PREFERRED

• Master’s degree in business administration, public sector management, marketing, or related discipline.
• Philanthropic development experience within a higher education, foundation, or non-profit institution.
• Proven success in securing major gifts and increasing donor support and engagement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and donor databases.