Senior Director of Development

Senior Director of Development

Location:

Syracuse, NY

Job Type: Full-time

Pay Range: $125,000 - $135,000

Department:
Arts & Sciences-Advancement

Commitment to On-Campus

Experience:

This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in‑person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.

The Senior Director of Development reports to the Assistant Dean for Advancement and serves as a senior frontline fundraiser for the College of Arts & Sciences. This role is responsible for the full arc of major and principal gift work—discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship—with a focus on donors and prospects capable of giving $100,000 and above. The Senior Director manages an active portfolio of approximately 80 high‑capacity donors, builds genuine relationships with alumni, parents, friends, and University colleagues, and serves as a compelling voice for A&S’s priorities and philanthropic potential.

A key partner to the Assistant Dean and Dean in their work with top prospects, this person will be expected to move donors through the pipeline with purpose.

• In coordination with the Assistant Dean, strategize, develop, and execute individual fundraising plans to secure major and principal gifts from alumni, parents and friends with the capacity to make gifts of $100K+.
• Manage an assigned portfolio of high‑capacity donors and prospects (~80) to maximize giving potential of each donor and prospect.
• Discover and qualify suspects for major and principal gifts as well as solicit annual gifts at the leadership annual giving level.
• Focus on the College’s priorities and fundraising goals; project manage as needed.
• Serve as a senior leader on the advancement team.
• Partner closely with the Assistant Dean for Advancement and Dean to shape and advance fundraising strategy for the College.
• Lead efforts to build and sustain robust major gift prospect pipelines.
• Mentor and support frontline fundraisers to strengthen collective fundraising performance.
• Support the Dean’s travel and donor engagement activities as needed, including preparation of briefings, prospect strategies, and post‑visit follow‑up.
• Regularly review and assess progress to the achievement of goals via reports available in dashboards.
• Represent the college and its interests/priorities across campus as needed.
• Project manage as assigned.
• Support the Assistant Dean and Dean in their work with volunteer board(s) as needed.
• Attend and participate in college and central development office meetings, training opportunities, as well as University‑wide functions.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience:
  
  Minimum of eight years of fundraising experience, preferably in higher education.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising including discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors and prospects.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff and volunteers.
• Strategic thinker able to develop and successfully execute fundraising plans.
• Exceptional organizational skills, ability to follow through and attention to details, manage multiple priorities.
• Strong verbal and written skills.
• Excels at building relationships internally and externally; donor and goal‑centric.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a complex environment and work independently.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.

Employment benefits are not specified in the posting. Candidates are encouraged to review the University benefits selection by contacting HR.

Syracuse University is an equal‑opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Interested candidates should complete an online application and attach a resume and cover letter.