Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Southwestern Law School - Los Angeles, CA
Southwestern Law School seeks a Vice President for Institutional Advancement to drive the growth of Southwestern’s institutional advancement program and ensure that Southwestern’s community of alumni, faculty, staff, and students is deeply engaged in the life of the school. The Vice President will design and implement a comprehensive strategy that increases constituent involvement and fundraising outcomes while recruiting and developing a team committed to advancing Southwestern’s philanthropic mission. As a key member of the senior leadership team, the Vice President will work closely with the President and Dean and the Board of Trustees to shape the institution’s goals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and stewardship. The Vice President will possess a proven track record in securing major gifts while balancing the institution’s mission with responsible resource management. The Vice President will play a central role in strengthening relationships with alumni and donors, promoting the law school’s impact, and ensuring that Southwestern’s mission is effectively communicated. Ultimately, this visionary leader will create an environment where Southwestern’s philanthropic efforts continue to thrive, positioning the institution for success in the next chapter of its remarkable history.
Southwestern Law School has a history of public service, exceptional teachers, brilliant scholars, and trailblazing alumni. Students succeed through its innovative curriculum and experiential learning opportunities. The vibrant, mid-city campus provides the ideal setting for studying law, fostering an emphasis on community, equal opportunity, and public service. Founded more than 110 years ago, Southwestern has developed a reputation for graduating lawyers who are well-rounded, resilient, entrepreneurial, and prepared to succeed. Southwestern students have a strong sense of community. While most have ties to California, they come from myriad backgrounds, experiences, states, and countries. The Student Bar Association sponsors award-winning wellness and community outreach programs and oversees over 40 student organizations, including legal fraternities, affinity groups, and societies focused on specific areas of law. With a student enrollment of approximately 1,000, 65 full-time faculty members, more than 100 adjunct faculty members, and about 125 staff, Southwestern has created a welcoming student-centered oasis within Los Angeles and includes one of the City’s most historic architectural landmarks—the iconic Bullocks Wilshire building. This art-deco masterpiece is at the heart of the campus, which sits in the middle of the Los Angeles “public service corridor.” In 2024, students and faculty devoted more than 56,000 hours to pro bono service.
"Southwestern Law School needs a visionary partner to help us secure the resources that will allow our students, faculty, and institution to thrive. But this role is about more than fundraising—it’s about leadership. Our opening presents a significant opportunity at a law school with extraordinary potential. With the right leadership, we can attract and support top students, recruit and recognize outstanding faculty, preserve and enhance our historic Bullocks Wilshire campus, expand academic programs, and build new initiatives that will position Southwestern as a leader for the next century of legal education. If you are ready to be part of something transformational, I invite you to join me in writing the next great chapter in Southwestern’s history." — Darby Dickerson, President and Dean
For more information, including core competencies and qualifications, please refer to the full prospectus.
Southwestern Law School has a history of public service, exceptional teachers, brilliant scholars, and trailblazing alumni. Students succeed through its innovative curriculum and experiential learning opportunities. The vibrant, mid-city campus provides the ideal setting for studying law, fostering an emphasis on community, equal opportunity, and public service. Founded more than 110 years ago, Southwestern has developed a reputation for graduating lawyers who are well-rounded, resilient, entrepreneurial, and prepared to succeed. Southwestern students have a strong sense of community. While most have ties to California, they come from myriad backgrounds, experiences, states, and countries. The Student Bar Association sponsors award-winning wellness and community outreach programs and oversees over 40 student organizations, including legal fraternities, affinity groups, and societies focused on specific areas of law. With a student enrollment of approximately 1,000, 65 full-time faculty members, more than 100 adjunct faculty members, and about 125 staff, Southwestern has created a welcoming student-centered oasis within Los Angeles and includes one of the City’s most historic architectural landmarks—the iconic Bullocks Wilshire building. This art-deco masterpiece is at the heart of the campus, which sits in the middle of the Los Angeles “public service corridor.” In 2024, students and faculty devoted more than 56,000 hours to pro bono service.
"Southwestern Law School needs a visionary partner to help us secure the resources that will allow our students, faculty, and institution to thrive. But this role is about more than fundraising—it’s about leadership. Our opening presents a significant opportunity at a law school with extraordinary potential. With the right leadership, we can attract and support top students, recruit and recognize outstanding faculty, preserve and enhance our historic Bullocks Wilshire campus, expand academic programs, and build new initiatives that will position Southwestern as a leader for the next century of legal education. If you are ready to be part of something transformational, I invite you to join me in writing the next great chapter in Southwestern’s history." — Darby Dickerson, President and Dean
For more information, including core competencies and qualifications, please refer to the full prospectus.