Associate Vp, Major Gifts - Metro Ny

Job Description

Associate Vice President, Major Gifts – Metro NYC, Advancement. Boston University is at a pivotal moment, guided by new leadership and a clear strategic framework for growth and impact. Our work is organized around three core priorities: securing $500 million in philanthropic support annually; deepening relationships with a strategically defined segment of alumni and donors; and strengthening the organizational foundation while launching focused priority areas across the University.

Advancement is evolving into a highly collaborative, matrixed model that integrates new University leadership, regional engagement, and the distinctive strengths of BU’s schools and colleges. With more than 250 advancement professionals, the organization is building the capacity, partnerships, and culture required to deliver sustained philanthropic momentum and institutional impact. The Associate Vice President (AVP) for Regional Major Gifts/Metro NYC provides strategic leadership for the University's major giving program, overseeing a cohort of fundraisers focused on securing gifts of $250,000 and above from alumni, parents, and friends of Boston University.

The AVP is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive major gifts strategy that sustains funding for institutional priorities and builds a robust pipeline for future principal gifts.

• Provide strategic and professional leadership for the Regional Major Gifts team of frontline fundraisers, responsible for recruitment, training, supervision, performance management, and ongoing development of major gifts staff. Partner with the Vice President, Prospect Management, and Advancement colleagues to cultivate and maintain a robust, well‑distributed major gift prospect pool that maximizes fundraising outcomes.
• Develop and execute a strategic major gifts program in the Metro NYC region while actively managing a portfolio of 4,050 high‑potential prospects in the region.
• Partner with the Advancement leadership team to develop and implement a comprehensive regional advancement strategy that strengthens collaboration between Regional Major Gifts and academic units. Coordinate and optimize the engagement of faculty, administrators, trustees, volunteers, and development staff to drive successful outcomes with prospects in identified regions.
• Oversee the team’s overall operations, including budget management, resource allocation, and administrative functions, ensuring efficient processes, fiscal responsibility, and alignment with organizational priorities.

• Minimum 10+ years of progressive fundraising experience, including demonstrated success building and managing $10M+ portfolios of major and principal gift prospects.
• Proven track record of securing $1M+ gifts and managing complex, multi‑year solicitations.
• Experience leading advancement teams (preferred 5+ staff).
• Prior experience in a comparable institutional advancement setting strongly preferred.
• Exceptional ability to build and sustain relationships with C‑suite executives, board members, and senior volunteer leaders.
• Strong partnership skills; demonstrated success collaborating across functional teams (major gifts, principal gifts, campaign and alumni relations).
• Ability to influence without direct authority; politically savvy and diplomatically skilled.
• Excellent judgment: ability to balance competing priorities and make decisions with incomplete information.
• Strategic thinker who understands strategy, competitive positioning, and institutional dynamics.
• Strong analytical and financial skills; ability to assess fundraising feasibility, ROI, and pipeline health.
• Ability to develop and execute comprehensive strategies that align school and university priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and cultivate new funding opportunities.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills; compelling presenter.
• Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences (donors, faculty, board members, senior leadership).
• Professional presence and executive bearing; comfortable in high‑level settings.
• Experience representing an institution externally and building…