Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA)

Lane College Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA) Jackson,TN Reports to:

President Situation Overview:

ZRG has beenengaged to recruit a Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA) for Lane College.

About Lane College:

LaneCollege provides students with a deeply transformative undergraduate education - intellectually, spiritually, and socially - and have foralmost 150 years. They've nurtured business leaders and spiritual leaders, novelists and scientists, physicians and public servants, andscholars and teachers in nearly every field of endeavor. They're one of America's oldest colleges, steeped in great socialtraditions. Thirty-six buildings sprawling across 55 acres create a truly exceptional academic and living environment. Award-winningand accredited academic programs are offered in dozens of majors and minors - business, entrepreneurship, criminal justice, social work,health care, and more. They prepare you with the hottest in-demand career credentials. Their campus is designed for flexibility.

Giving more options applies to everything they do - from diverse food options and tons of fitness activities to a vibrant social calendarinvolving over 70 Greek-letter, athletic, religious, music, and special interest group activities. Lane College MissionStatement With strong ties to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the College's Mission is to develop the "whole student."Academic excellence is the institution's top priority, and it is achieved through a student-centered and nurturing approach to learningsupported by excellent teaching, teaching-related research, and service. The College believes that one's intellectual capability coupledwith social and spiritual growth is essential to the development of a well-rounded individual. In keeping with this Mission, theCollege offers creative and enriching academic programs to prepare students for their chosen careers; and encourages active studentengagement to cultivate life-long learning. Lane Life Lane College is a place of intense energy and creativity, builton a foundation of academic, spiritual, artistic, athletic, and musical excellence. They've packed the calendar with things to do - bothinside and outside the classroom. There are vibrant residential learning communities, an active Greek life, over 70 student clubs andspecial interest groups, band, choir, praise teams, and over a dozen varsity and recreational sports. At Lane, there's never a dullmoment. Academics Their office prepares you for a highly competitive world after graduation, one where you will notonly compete with graduates from other schools, you will thrive over them. They prepare you for the best jobs and graduate schools after youleave here. They want you to be proud of the accredited diploma you receive, hanging it on the wall of your top floor, corner office for allto envy.

Position:

The Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA) serves as the College's chief externalaffairs and fundraising officer, responsible for building enduring relationships and securing significant philanthropic, governmental, andcommunity-based supporting alignment with Lane College's mission and strategic pillars. As a member of the President's Cabinet, the VPIAleads a team responsible for major gifts, alumni relations, government and community affairs, workforce partnerships, and strategic campaigndevelopment. The VPIA is accountable for delivering on an institutional fundraising goal equal to fifteen percent (15%) of theCollege's annual operating budget. For FY2025, that equates to a minimum of $4.05 million. All unit-level revenue raised by Cabinet peersthat meets or exceeds ten percent (10%) of their respective operating budgets is included in the institutional total but must be reported,verified, and coordinated through the Office of Institutional Advancement. All revenue calculations shall be net of any direct costsassociated with securing those funds, including but not limited to travel, consulting, events, sponsorship activation, and personnel. The VPIA will lead the integration of advancement systems, including the College's Blackbaud CRM, and ensure all donor, partner, andalumni activities are data-informed, strategic, and focused on building Lane College's financial vitality andreputation.

Position Description:

Strategic Leadership & Cabinet Collaboration Serve asa senior advisor to the President and an active member of the Cabinet; Design and lead an institution-wide fundraising strategythat aligns with Lane's strategic pillars: Academic Excellence, Experiential Learning, Financial Vitality, Strategic Enrollment Management,Community Engagement, and Differential Advantage; Coordinate with Cabinet members to ensure each operating unit generates revenueequal to at least 10% of their annual operating budget; Aggregate unit-level fundraising data and integrate these results intoinstitutional advancement dashboards, reports, and strategy. Fundraising & Campaign Execution Personallymanage a portfolio of at least 25 major donors and prospects capable of giving $25,000+ annually; Lead all aspects of majorcampaigns, including: The All-Steinway Campaign; The Lane College Hall of Fame; Alumni Center CapitalCampaign; Community Engagement Initiatives; Endowed Scholarships and Professorships. Oversee thecreation and dissemination of six (6) or more cases for support annually. Government, Foundation & CommunityRelations Serve as the primary liaison to local, state, and federal government agencies, elected officials, and nationalassociations (e.g.,UNCF, NAICU); Advance legislative, civic, and funding agendas to support HBCUs and Lane College; Represent Lane in civic and economic development initiatives, including CRA District 2, workforce development alliances, and educationcoalitions. Advancement Infrastructure & Technology Ensure optimal and strategic use of Blackbaud andother advancement technology systems; Create institutional dashboards to monitor progress against KPIs and informdecision-making; Ensure accurate donor records, proper segmentation, timely stewardship, and regulatory compliance. Supervision & Team Development Supervise, coach, and evaluate a high-performing advancement team; Foster a culture of strategic thinking, donor-centric relationship building, and measurable outcomes; Ensure alignment of teamgoals with institutional advancement strategy.

Qualifications:

Required Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred in nonprofit management, higher education leadership, public administration, ora relatedfield; Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible advancement or development experience in higher education ormission-aligned nonprofits;

HBCU/UNCF

experience strongly preferred; Demonstrated success in planning and executing major giftcampaigns, securing six- and seven-figure gifts, and managing donor pipelines; Expertise in community engagement, board andvolunteer management, and public-private partnerships; Proficiency in Blackbaud or similar CRM and advancement platforms; Culturally competent leadership, preferably in institutions serving underrepresented or first-generation college students. Key Performance Indicators (KPIS) Minimum of $4.05 million raised annually through combined advancementefforts (net of costs); Minimum of 6 cases for support produced annually; 25+ major donor/prospect engagementsquarterly; 100% coordination and reporting of Cabinet-level unit fundraising; Launch of at least one new strategiccampaign or initiative per fiscal year. Lane College Mission Alignment Lane College, founded in 1882, is aproud HBCU committed to developing the "whole student" through Christian principles, academic excellence, and community responsibility. TheVPIA will advance this mission by securing the resources and partnerships necessary to ensure Lane's ongoing relevance, impact, andinstitutional strength.

Senior Management:

Dr. Donald Comer President Dr. Comer bringsa wealth of experience to Lane College, particularly through his long-standing association with FedEx Corporation. Over his 35-year tenurewith FedEx, Dr. Comer has consistently demonstrated his leadership and management skills in various business disciplines including dataanalytics, marketing, finance, strategic planning, and project management. Dr. Comer's commitment to student success is unwavering.

He has been a tireless advocate, advisor, and mentor for students, dedicating significant personal time to serving on the boards of twohistoric black colleges and the National Black MBA Association. "I am honored to serve as President and have a lifelong passion forthe critical mission of Lane College," said Comer who recently retired after a 35-year career as a senior executive with FedEx. "Workingwith the dedicated faculty, staff, alumni, and community, we will work to enhance educational opportunities and support student success,while staying true to Lane College's mission and values." Dr. Comer has a PhD in Urban Higher Education, a Master of BusinessAdministration, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He was Vice President, Decision Science & Analytics and Operations Analysis atFedEx.

Location:

Jackson, Tennessee offers a comfortable, community-oriented lifestyle with a blend of small-towncharm and convenient amenities. Known for its affordable cost of living, Jackson provides spacious housing options and a relaxed pace thatappeals to families and professionals alike. The city has a growing economy supported by healthcare, manufacturing, and education, alongwith shopping centers, local restaurants, and entertainment options. Residents enjoy easy access to parks, nearby lakes, and regionalattractions, while still benefiting from its location midway between Memphis and Nashville for weekend trips or larger-cityexperiences.

Interview Process:

ZRG provides our global Clients with a rigorous and patented assessment platformgrounded in data and analytics. Our interview process includes the following: Initial interviews with ZRG ZRGpresentation of candidates to Client for calibration and discussion; Client selects candidates for consideration and initial interviews Candidates complete ZRG's on-line assessment Finalist candidates advance to second and third round interviews with broaderleadership team Formal referencing Offer extended

About ZRG:

ZRG is a global talent advisoryfirm that is changing the way companies hire and manage talent. ZRG's data-driven approach to executive and professional search has beenchanging the way clients think about how to find top talent. The company's digital Zi platform combines talent intelligence, candidateinsights, and process improvement to dramatically deliver executive searches quicker and with proven better results. DakotaDoman ‍ Managing Director ddoman@zrgpartners.com Dakota Doman is adynamic and visionary executive with more than 15 years of leadership experience spanning higher education administration, executive search,organizational strategy, and governmental affairs. He is a Managing Director in ZRG's Education Practice, bringing a comprehensiveperspective on leadership needs within academic institutions, especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). BeforeZRG, Dakota was the President and Managing Principal of TM2 Executive Search, the only search firm founded to provide executive talentsolutions to HBCUs, where his work focused on inclusive leadership recruitment, strategic talent pipelines, and governance transformation,contributing to successful placements in C-suite and senior academic roles across the country. Link to complete bio for Dakota Doman. JerelBooker Principal jbooker@zrgpartners.com Jerel Booker is a seniorexecutive and talent strategist with more than two decades of leadership experience driving organizational performance, strengtheningleadership pipelines, and advancing mission-critical priorities across higher education, K-12 systems, government, and the nonprofit sector.

He most recently served as Associate Managing Principal and Chief Operating Officer at TM² Executive Search, where he led national searches,particularly for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and oversaw enterprise operations, aligning people, processes, andtechnology to accelerate firm-wide growth and deliver measurable client impact. Link to complete bio for Jerel Booker. KellyLewis ‍ Vice President, People Culture & Inclusion Lead klewis@zrgpartners.com +1.856.685.1450 Kelly Lewis leads ZRG's purposeful commitmentto the development of people and culture across the sports, media, and entertainment industries, focusing on the identification andmagnification of talent stemming from underrepresented groups. Throughout her career, Kelly has illuminated the positive implications thatrepresentation can have in developing inclusive organizational cultures that drive significant business success. A member of theNational Black MBA Association, Kelly partners with clients and executives alike to provide counsel on professional development and theexecution of wholly inclusive recruiting and hiring processes in an effort to champion better representation across every aspect of ourindustry. Kelly oversees all of ZRG's diversity, HR, and philanthropic searches and has successfully placed executives at the Portland TrailBlazers, Orlando Magic, RISE (Ross Initiative In Sports For Equality), and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Link to complete bio for Kelly Lewis. Apply Here