Senior Advancement Officer

Senior Advancement Officer

We are seeking a results-driven Senior Advancement Officer who will play a key role in increasing charitable support for the university by identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major, leadership, and planned gift donors. This position is responsible for expanding the university's major gift pipeline and building meaningful philanthropic relationships that advance institutional priorities. The successful candidate will manage a portfolio of major and planned giving prospects—including alumni, faculty, staff, friends, corporations, and foundations—and secure major and legacy gifts of $10,000 or more, with an emphasis on unrestricted support, scholarships, and other university priorities.

The Senior Advancement Officer will also maintain accurate prospect records and gift pipelines within the Institutional Advancement prospect management system and support the growth of planned giving and affinity-based fundraising initiatives. Regular travel throughout New York State and across the United States is required to conduct one-on-one donor visits, complemented by on-campus meetings to strengthen relationships with current and prospective donors.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across Institutional Advancement, Alumni Relations, and campus partners, the Senior Advancement Officer will support alumni engagement, annual giving, regional events, donor recognition programs, and university-wide fundraising campaigns, including Giving Tuesday, Season of Giving, Rise Up Red, and Game On for Giving. The position also participates in prospect strategy sessions, departmental meetings, retreats, and key institutional events, including commencement, matriculation, Homecoming & Family Weekend, President's Welcome, PCF annual celebrations, and Foundation award ceremonies.

The successful candidate will be self-motivated and well-versed in SUNY Plattsburgh's strategic plan, with the primary objective of securing gifts for scholarships and the Plattsburgh Fund in support of recruitment, retention, student success, diversity and inclusion, and North Country programs. Institutional Advancement promotes a culture of philanthropy that attracts vital resources in support of SUNY Plattsburgh's mission and strategic priorities.

We work to achieve this by nurturing lifelong positive relationships with alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of the college, with the goal of increasing charitable support to ensure student success. As SUNY Plattsburgh is an institution that delivers challenging and high-quality educational experiences to diverse learners, the successful candidate must demonstrate an understanding of and sensitivity to diversity, inclusion, and equity-minded policies, programs, and practices.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree at time of appointment. Five (5) years minimum of work experience in a professional setting including a track record of increased responsibility and success. Professional or personal experience with, or exposure to, fundraising. Commitment to public higher education and ensuring students have access and support to achieve their degree. Strong communication, organizational skills and the ability to be self-directed.

Ability to persuade and motivate others to act. A valid driver's license at the time of appointment. Willingness and ability to travel within the United States including attendance at regional events as necessary. Willingness and ability to work occasional nights and weekends. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collegially with alumni, donors, faculty, staff, administrators, and students.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working in higher education and/or a nonprofit organization. Extensive fundraising/development experience including legacy gift planning. Extensive experience drafting endowment agreements and gift agreements. Understanding of charitable giving tax benefits. Knowledge of Banner Ellucian donor database. Experience with Anthology.

Salary (Applicant View) - $70,000 minimum, plus excellent benefits.

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