Director of Development

Thank you for considering a career with the Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY).


The team at RFCUNY is made up of dedicated, talented professionals committed to providing the services that allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries.


We are pleased that you are interested in exploring opportunities to join RFCUNY.

Primary Location:
CUNY SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

Bargaining Unit:

No

As a leading online school in New York since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers.

Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule. As CUNY SPS moves beyond its' 20th year, we dedicate ourselves to engendering an innovative and transformative student-centered experience.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, the Director of Development provides strategic and operational leadership for day-to-day operations, strategic planning, donor stewardship along with direct management of the Alumni Relations area to advance the School's fundraising and alumni engagement priorities.

As a senior administrator within the Office of Development and Alumni Relations (ODAR), the Director of Development supports the execution of fundraising strategy, manages alumni engagement, strengthens internal infrastructure, and ensures operational excellence aligned with School and Foundation goals.

The Director of Development serves as the operational lead in the absence of the Executive Director.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of Development provides leadership, coordination, and supervision with decision-making authority.

DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS LEADERSHIP

• Oversees daily development operations to ensure efficient, compliant, and effective fundraising infrastructure.
  
• Directs and supervises development operations staff and related workflows, including CRM governance, gift processing, reporting, stewardship tracking, and financial documentation.
  
• Ensures integrity, optimization, and strategic use of Raiser's Edge and related development platforms.
  
• Develops and monitors fundraising performance dashboards and reporting tools for leadership and Foundation stakeholders.
  
• Establishes and refines policies, procedures, and internal controls that support growth, accountability, and scalability.
  
• Ensures all gift administration, documentation, and compliance requirements are met.
  
• Aligns development operations with broader advancement strategy and institutional priorities.
  

STRATEGIC ADVANCEMENT LEADERSHIP & CONTINUITY

• Partners with the Executive Director to implement annual fundraising priorities and performance goals.
  
• Contributes to, and helps implement advancement planning, prospect strategy discussions, and stewardship initiatives.
  
• Prepares briefing materials, performance analyses, and strategic recommendations for senior leadership.
  
• Represents ODAR in cross-functional planning efforts and institutional initiatives.
  
• Serves as operational lead in the absence of the Executive Director to ensure continuity of fundraising and engagement efforts.
  
• Supports coordination with Foundation leadership and external partners as appropriate.
  

ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT CONTINUITY

The Director of Development maintains essential alumni engagement functions necessary to sustain communication, participation, and stewardship integration.

• Oversees core alumni communications, including newsletters and targeted outreach.
  
• Supports planning and coordination of priority alumni engagement initiatives and events.
  
• Leads events management for the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, including oversight of planning, logistics, budgeting, and coordination of alumni, donor, and stewardship events.
  
• Monitors alumni participation metrics and prepares engagement reports.
  
• Coordinates alumni volunteer efforts aligned with fundraising priorities.
  
• Serves as liaison for university-wide alumni coordination activities as needed.
  

SUPERVISION

• Directly supervises development operations staff.
  
• Provides coaching, performance management, and professional development support.
  
• Fosters a collaborative, accountable, and results-oriented team culture.
  

Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in development, advancement, or related leadership roles, .
  
• At least five (5) years of experience supervising professional staff and managing performance, workflow, and accountability.
  
• Demonstrated experience overseeing fundraising operations, including CRM governance, gift administration, reporting, compliance, and data integrity.
  
• Proven ability to translate strategic priorities into operational execution and measurable outcomes.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree or relevant professional fundraising certification.
  
• Experience in higher education advancement or a complex nonprofit environment.
  
• Experience contributing to advancement strategy development and institutional fundraising planning.
  
• Experience working with boards, advisory groups, or senior leadership stakeholders.
  
• Strong analytical and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of reports and leadership briefings.
  
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across internal and external stakeholders.
  
• Familiarity with Raiser's Edge Database view or comparable fundraising CRM systems.
  
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to confidentiality.
  

Please note: Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a continuous basis. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Full-time, hybrid (70% in office, 30% remote, subject to change)

Location: CUNY SPS, 119 W. 31st Street, New York, NY

Pay Range:

$105,000 - $115,000

RFCUNY Benefits
RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.