Director of Development

Posting Details

Posting Details


Job #
042876


Department Code
21212-2026


Department
School of Management


Job Title
Director of Development


Location
Syracuse, NY


Campus
Syracuse, NY


Commitment to On-Campus Experience


Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. 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. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.

Pay Range
$89,000 - $125,000


Pay Determination


Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate's education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university's strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.

Staff Level
S5


FLSA Status
Exempt


Hours


Standard University business hours

8:30am - 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am - 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.

Job Type
Full-time


Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable


Job Description


The Director of Development reports to the Assistant Dean for Advancement & External Engagement and serves as a frontline fundraiser and external engagement leader for the Whitman School of Management. The Director is responsible for managing a comprehensive portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, leading the full lifecycle of philanthropic engagement including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship with a focus on securing gifts of $100,000 and above.

In addition, the Director will develop and strengthen strategic partnerships between the Whitman School and external corporations, foundations, and organizations by identifying opportunities for philanthropic investment, corporate sponsorship, experiential learning support, and mutually beneficial engagement. The Director will serve as a key relationship manager, connecting industry partners and alumni with the School's priorities, programs, and initiatives to advance institutional goals and increase external support.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of five years' experience across external relations, corporate engagement, fundraising, sales and revenue, or comparable fields of relationship building, preferably in higher education.
• Valid driver's license is required.

Skills and Knowledge

• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising including a record of discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors and prospects.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Strategic thinker able to develop and successfully execute fundraising plans.
• Exceptional organizational skills, ability to follow through and attention to detail, manage multiple priorities.
• Strong verbal and written skills.
• Excels at building relationships internally and externally.
• Must be donor and goal centric, team oriented and a collaborative campus partner and leader
• Ability to work collaboratively in a complex environment and work independently.

Responsibilities

• 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 a portfolio of active supporters, high-capacity donors and prospects and travel in assigned regions of the country to maximize giving potential of each donor and prospect, including an annual goal of 120+ in person and virtual meetings.
• Discover and qualify suspects for major and principal gifts as well as solicit annual gifts at the leadership annual giving level and multiyear commitments to the Whitman Leadership Circle philanthropic society
• Develop and implement a strategic plan for mapping Whitman School programs to the relevant needs of corporate partners and opportunities for philanthropic engagement and/or sponsorship. Discovers, cultivates, solicits, and stewards current and new corporate donors to meet annual goals.
• Be a subject-matter expert on Whitman programs, as well as an expert in their company's ongoing business needs and corporate social responsibility focuses to identify and propose engagement and funding opportunities that are mutually beneficial to Whitman and the company.
• Partner closely with the Whitman Career Services and Employer Relations team as well as AEA's Central Corporate & Foundation teams to foster teamwork, cohesive strategy and aligned approaches pertaining to relationships with existing and/or potential employers and companies
• Partner closely with the Assistant Dean for Advancement, Whitman department leadership, campus colleagues and stakeholders, and programmatic leadership to shape and advance the external engagement strategy for the Whitman School inclusive of individual and corporate philanthropy.
• Lead efforts to build and sustain robust major gift prospect pipelines.
• 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 as well as recording all contact reports, activity, and interactions in Citrus Represent the college and their interests/priorities across campus as needed.
• Project management as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

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

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.

EEO Statement


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.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans


Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University's contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community


Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.

Quick Link




Job Posting Date
06/23/2026


Application Deadline

Full Consideration By

Job Category
Staff


Message to Applicants