Associate Director

Job Title: Associate Director of Advancement (Region: Western U.S.)

Reports to: Director of Philanthropy

Location Options:

Hybrid
- If based in or near Fort Collins, Colorado, there will be a blend of remote and in-office time. Residing in Northern Colorado is strongly preferred, and a relocation allowance will be available for candidates who move to this region.

Remote
- Must reside in or relocate to one of these states:
Colorado, Idaho, Oregon or Wyoming

FLSA Status: Exempt (Regular, Full-time)

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m.

- 5 p.m.

Anticipated

Start Date:

Between November 9th and 26th

Salary Range: Typical starting range for a new employee in this role is $76,000 to $80,000/annually

Established in 1963, the Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) is a 501(c) non-profit organization. In collaboration with academic partner Colorado State University, ISE delivers the Semester at Sea® (SAS) program, one of the longest operating higher education study abroad programs. Semester at Sea® provides its students a global comparative education through classroom and experiential learning in the field. The Semester at Sea® floating campus, the MV World Odyssey, carries around 550 students plus faculty, staff, and others.

The duration of the semester voyage is typically 105 days, including visits to 8-10 countries. ISE conducts two semester voyages annually. See semesteratsea.org for more information.

Journeys of discovery that spark bold solutions to global challenges

The Associate Director of Advancement is a frontline fundraiser responsible for generating philanthropic revenue by managing a portfolio of approximately 100–125 major-gift donors and prospects. The position develops and executes strategies to qualify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward outright, pledged, and planned gifts that advance ISE priorities.

ISE's expansive alumni community represents tremendous philanthropic potential, with a large base of alumni ready to be re-engaged. Working with the Director of Philanthropy, Advancement Services, organizational leaders, board members, alumni volunteers, and other partners, the Associate Director will creatively reconnect alumni with Semester at Sea, build a sustainable fundraising pipeline, elevate annual and mid-level donors, and support campaign growth.

The Associate Director also serves as a visible ambassador for Semester at Sea, representing the organization with credibility and enthusiasm among alumni, donors, corporate and philanthropic leaders, and other influential stakeholders. Success requires an entrepreneurial spirit, persistence, sound judgment, persuasive communication, disciplined portfolio management, and confidence engaging accomplished individuals and making direct asks. The position requires consistent CRM use and adherence to the highest ethical standards.

The individual in this position must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Manage a portfolio of 100–125 donors and prospects with capacity to give at the five- to six-figure-plus level within an assigned geographic region or territory, developing a tailored strategy for each that aligns individual preferences, interests, and needs with ISE priorities and opportunities.
• Solicit new and renewed outright, pledged, and deferred gifts, including planned gifts integrated into broader solicitation strategy; actively qualify, cultivate, and solicit high-capacity untapped and under-giving prospects through the major gifts discovery process.
• Plan and execute high-impact travel: secure anchor visits, fill remaining time with additional stakeholders, book travel to…