Vice President for Advancement Search

Eastern Mennonite University invites nominations and applications for its next Vice President for Advancement, a senior leadership role central to EMU’s mission, sustainability, and future impact.

Rooted in an Anabaptist-Mennonite faith tradition, EMU educates students to serve and lead in a complex world shaped by questions of justice, peace, belonging, and purpose. The Vice President for Advancement will join the senior leadership team at a moment of momentum and discernment, helping to steward relationships, resources, and partnerships that allow EMU to thrive with integrity.

This role calls for a relational, strategic, and outward-facing leader who believes deeply in higher education as a public good and understands philanthropy as an expression of shared values. The Vice President for Advancement will lead a comprehensive advancement operation, encompassing fundraising, alumni and constituent engagement, communications, and advancement services. Just as importantly, they will serve as a bridge—connecting alumni, donors, faith communities, foundations, and regional partners to the life and mission of the university.

The successful candidate will bring a genuine appreciation for EMU’s commitments to academic excellence, peace and justice, and active faith. They will be energized by cultivating authentic relationships across diverse communities, expanding philanthropic capacity, and strengthening a culture of stewardship grounded in trust and transparency. This leader will combine strategic vision with a willingness to engage personally in donor relationships, campaign leadership, and partnership development.

Eastern Mennonite University has engaged Academic Search to assist with this national search. Academic Search is a leading firm in executive recruitment for higher education and is supporting EMU in identifying candidates who align with the university’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.

We encourage interested candidates and those wishing to nominate exceptional leaders to review the full position profile and application details on the Academic Search website.

View the full position profile and apply through Academic Search

EMU is a community that values collaboration, courage, learning, and care—for students, for one another, and for the wider world. We welcome leaders who are drawn to this work not only as a profession, but as a calling.