Director of Institutional Advancement

Location: Hamburg

Title

Director of Institutional Advancement

Description

The Director of Institutional Advancement provides strategic, mission-centered leadership for all fundraising and external engagement activities at Hilbert College. This role is responsible for expanding philanthropic support, strengthening donor and community relationships, and building a sustainable advancement infrastructure that reflects Hilbert's Catholic Franciscan values.

The Director oversees grants development, the annual fund, and the design and implementation of a comprehensive major capital campaign that advances the College's long-term vision. The ideal candidate is an authentic relationship-builder with strong organizational skills, a high level of bias towards action, and a genuine commitment to the mission and core values of Hilbert College, founded by the Franciscan Sisters of St.

Joseph.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

* Develop and execute a comprehensive advancement strategy aligned with Hilbert's mission, strategic plan, and emerging institutional priorities.

* Serve as a key member of the leadership team and a partner in articulating the College's vision to donors, alumni, and community stakeholders.

* Provide regular reports, analysis, and strategy updates to the rest of the leadership team and Board of Trustees.

Major Capital Campaign

* Lead the planning, development, and execution of a multi-year major capital campaign, including case development, campaign structure, timelines, donor pipelines, and volunteer engagement.

* Partner with the President to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects.

* Strengthen relationships with foundations, corporations, and individual donors to build momentum for the campaign.

* Ensure campaign messaging reflects Hilbert's Franciscan identity, academic strengths, student experience, and bold future direction.

Annual Fund & Donor Engagement

* Direct all aspects of the Hilbert Annual Fund, including appeals, digital outreach, giving days, and donor segmentation strategies.

* Increase alumni participation, recurring giving, and overall annual support by building a compelling donor experience grounded in gratitude and impact.

* Develop communications that highlight student success, mission relevance, and donor stewardship.

Grants Development

* Oversee the identification, cultivation, and stewardship of public and private grant opportunities that support institutional priorities.

* Collaborate with academic and administrative leaders to develop high-quality, competitive grant proposals.

* Track grant reporting requirements, timelines, and outcomes to ensure compliance and maximize renewal potential.

Alumni & Community Engagement

* Strengthen alumni relations programs that build lifelong connection and pride in Hilbert College.

* Expand engagement opportunities that connect alumni to students through mentorship, internships, events, and philanthropy.

* Build relationships with community partners, corporate sponsors, and key stakeholders to elevate Hilbert's visibility and support.

* Assist academic departments in creating Industry Advisory Boards designed to promote collaboration of all kinds related to the development, promotion, and growth of key programs at Hilbert.

Team Leadership & Advancement Operations

* Supervise advancement staff and consultants as needed, fostering a collaborative, mission-aligned, high-performing team.

* Oversee donor database systems, gift processing, and stewardship processes to ensure accuracy, transparency, and donor satisfaction.

* Establish policies and procedures that promote ethical fundraising and reflect best practices in the field.

Required Qualifications

* Bachelor's degree, Master's degree strongly preferred. CFRE certification a plus.

* 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, advancement, or related fields.

* Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, campaign development, or grants management.

* Exceptional relationship-building skills with donors, alumni, and institutional partners.

* Willing to travel on a limited/as needed basis to meet with donors/government officials and as a representative of the College.

* Clear, persuasive written and oral communication abilities.

* Strong organizational skills and a disciplined approach to follow-through.

* Commitment to the mission and values of a Catholic Franciscan institution.

Preferred Qualifications

* Experience in higher education advancement or nonprofit campaign leadership.

* Familiarity with donor database systems and advancement analytics.

* Experience collaborating with senior leaders and boards of trustees.

* Knowledge of Western New York philanthropic networks.

Personal Attributes

* Authentic and inspiring communicator and thoughtful listener.

* Strategic and creative thinker with a strong bias toward action and measurable results.

* Comfortable navigating complexity and managing multiple priorities simultaneously.

* Must be a willing collaborator and a person who is constantly…