Associate Director of Development

Based out of the University’s Lubin House on East 61st Street in Manhattan, this position is fully integrated into the Metro NYC Team’s strategy, while reporting to the Executive Director of Leadership Giving and Discovery on Syracuse’s main campus, maximizing campus resources through a local, regional approach. This position balances University priorities with School, College, and Unit (SCU) goals, partnering closely with SCU colleagues to build a sustained cadence of visits, personal touchpoints, and thoughtful solicitations for a portfolio of NYC-area prospects, increasing support in the $10,000-$99,999 range. The Associate Director qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards this mid-range portfolio via calls, email, and in-person/virtual visits, prioritizing outreach that converts the unassigned, rated prospect pool into measurable activity, including 150-200 discovery visits annually. The role evaluates capacity and inclination, referring higher-capacity prospects to major or principal gift officers as appropriate, and documents all activity in the database of record. The Associate Director also collaborates across annual giving, leadership giving, major gifts, and gift planning to ensure smooth pipeline hand-offs.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 3-5 years of fundraising experience, ideally in higher education or nonprofit settings.
• Proven experience in personal solicitations and relationship building.
• A valid Driver’s License is required.

Skills and Knowledge

• Demonstrated personal solicitation and relationship-building skills; strong written/verbal communication and case-for-support ability.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Self-directed, data-driven, and comfortable prioritizing outreach independently against a large prospect pool.
• Based in, or willing to relocate to, the NYC metro area.

Responsibilities

• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a mid-range portfolio of approximately 80 NYC-area donors and prospects via calls, email, and in-person/virtual visits, increasing support in the $10,000-$99,999 range.
• Prioritize outreach to the unassigned, rated NYC prospect pool into measurable activity; conduct 150-200 discovery visits annually to qualify and rate new prospects and build the pipeline, in support of the Metro NY pipeline-growth goal.
• Evaluate capacity and inclination and refer prospects to major or principal gift officers when appropriate; document all activity and next steps in the database of record (CITRUS).
• Collaborate with annual giving, leadership giving, major gifts, gift planning, and school/college/unit partners to ensure smooth pipeline hand-offs and shared donor strategy. Ensure effective communication of qualification outcomes with colleagues and partners, sharing leads and planning next steps to drive deeper engagement.
• Participate and potentially lead AEA or Leadership Annual Giving and Discovery initiatives that are identified as special projects.

Physical Requirements

Not Applicable

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.

About Syracuse University Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.

About The Syracuse Area Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

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