Executive Director of Institutional Advancement & External Relations

Job Description

Job Description

Bargaining Unit: Management Confidential
Salary: Exempt; 12 months per year
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Priority Screening: March 25, 2026 at 4PM EST

Position Summary:SUNY Ulster County Community College, a two-year branch of the State University of New York located ninety miles north of New York City in the Catskill Mountains, is currently accepting applications for an Executive Director of Institutional Advancement & External Relations.

The Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and External Relations oversees strategic areas for SUNY Ulster, all focusing on building resources and increasing awareness of and advocacy for the institution to enable the College to accomplish its mission. Leading and managing the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc., and Alumni elations, this position reports directly to the Chief of Staff. The incumbent meets regularly with department leaders and faculty and is considered to be part of the President’s Cabinet. The Executive Director is expected to represent the College at a variety of community events that may include evenings or weekends.      

Key Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be expected to do the following:Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc.
The Foundation’s Executive Director is responsible for the overall planning, management, coordination, and evaluation of activities that will attract important philanthropic support for the College.  These activities include developing and implementing effective strategies and tactics that result in sustainable growth in annual giving and planned gifts, capturing the philanthropic interest of donors, and increasing corporate support. As Executive Director, this position maintains a close and collaborative working relationship with the Board of Directors of the Foundation, the President, Vice Presidents, and Deans.  Specific activities include identifying, cultivating and soliciting major gifts; proactively building and maintaining relationships with new, current, and potential donors; and leading and managing staff to achieve all fundraising initiatives, including donor recognition, special campaigns, and events.  The Executive Director oversees the College’s scholarship program and a planned giving program and provides opportunities to potential donors that maximize donor intent as it relates to institutional objectives. They oversee gift processing, acknowledgement, and stewardship as well as fiscal and accounting policies and procedures, and ensures compliance with all regulatory oversight requirements.

Community Relations This position is a key team member and collaborator with the College’s Marketing Team on public and media relations strategic planning, including, but not limited to, communications strategy, planning, messaging, media outreach and story placement.   Specific activities include developing and maintaining strong working relationships with key regional, local, and industry trade news media and leading and overseeing all aspects of media relations, including story development, media targeting, relationship management, and securing media opportunities to share the work of the Foundation and College.

Alumni Relations The Executive Director develops, implements and evaluates programs to engage the institution’s alumni and to encourage increased alumni support of and involvement with College programs. This includes oversight of the development and implementation of an alumni strategic plan and robust alumni relations programs, events and recognition ceremonies.  The Executive Director oversees the coordination of alumni communications and publications related to fundraising and alumni relations activities in collaboration with colleagues. These communications include newsletters, social media, targeted emails, and other outreach as needed.

In addition, the Executive Director plans and administers the budget of Institutional Advancement to ensure operation within fiscal constraints.  The Executive Director works strategically, as well as tactically, to achieve desired results. The incumbent must be media savvy, an excellent writer and experienced in executing media and social media campaigns. They have a track record of media success and measuring results.

Skills, Characteristics, QualitiesThe Executive Director must have superb written and oral communication skills; be comfortable presenting in large, small and diverse groups; and possess excellent motivational skills. They must have an engaging manner; strong leadership skills to inspire and motivate colleagues and volunteers; the ability to develop trust and build strong collaborative working relationships; a proven track record of success in cultivating, soliciting, and securing funding and a proven ability in managing communications functions; a communication style that is open, cordial and issues focused;  experience in goal setting and team building; and experience utilizing technology to further the philanthropic goals of the organization.  This person must possess a commitment to continuous improvement, employing best practices and assessment to review and enhance results.  

The Executive Director will possess excellent judgment; analytical and decision-making skills; integrity and the highest degree of personal and professional ethical standards; energy, drive, and an even-keeled temperament with the capacity to handle multiple priorities, pressure, and multiple points of view. The candidate should possess a consultative and, as needed, an advisory style when relating to colleagues at all levels; the ability to challenge assumptions in a constructive way; and demonstrated creative problem-solving abilities that contribute to solutions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 5 years related experience required.  Preference will be given to individuals with experience in a community college or other higher education setting.
• A strong commitment to the community college goals and objectives of providing quality courses for culturally, socio-economically, ethnically, and academically diverse students and students with disabilities

• A personality to work effectively and with sensitivity in a multicultural environment with an awareness of, and commitment to, the needs of non-traditional and/or re-entry students having diverse backgrounds and abilities, as well as, a wide range of skills and goals.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a productive team environment.

And

• Commitment to community college goals and objectives of providing quality programs and services for culturally, socio-economically, ethnically, and academically diverse students and students with disabilities; personal qualities to work effectively and with sensitivity in a multicultural environment; awareness of and commitment to the needs of non-traditional and/or re-entry students with diverse abilities and interests.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree preferred with 8-10 years in institutional advancement, public relations and public communications or related disciplines.
• Experience as a senior development professional with a record of progressive accomplishment in the operational management and support of a development organization; experience in staff development;
• A broad background in annual giving/alumni relations and development services with a NFP with multiple stakeholders; experience identifying and cultivating planned giving opportunities are desirable.   

Annual Salary:An initial starting salary of $110,000 - $150,000 will be commensurate with education, training, and experience per academic year with an excellent benefits package. This position is contingent upon adequate funding.

Additional Information:SUNY Ulster offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision, life insurance, NYS or SUNY TIAA Retirement Plan, SUNY Perks, tuition waivers, including dependent waivers, and tuition assistance.

 
In addition, Management Confidential employees receive, on an annual basis: 24 vacation days, 12 sick days, 6 personal days, and 15 holidays including 3 floating holidays.  In addition, the College is closed on the day prior to Thanksgiving, and between December 26 - January, 1, known as the Holiday Curtailment. 
Application Process:The position is open until filled. However, to ensure consideration, application materials should be received via email by March 25, 2026 at 4:00 pm EST to be given priority consideration. Applications received after the deadline are not guaranteed to be reviewed.  SUNY Ulster reserves the right to close, continue, cancel, postpone or restart the recruitment at any time.

Applicants must submit the following materials to be considered for the position:

 

• Resume or CV
• Cover letter which discusses your qualifications and interest in the position
• 3 professional references

 

Please submit only materials requested. All documents included in your application file become the property of the College. Applicants who fail to submit all required materials will not be considered.

We invite you to be part of a dedicated community of learners in an academic department that puts students first. Please go to for additional campus community information.

SUNY Ulster is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The college encourages applications from all qualified applicants. This position is contingent upon adequate funding. Offer and assignment of employment is subject to verification of all information provided on the employment application, credentials, transcripts, fingerprint check, verification of the right to work in the United States and all other required pre-employment conditions are met.

Applicants who are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act and who, due to a disability, require accommodations for completing the application process, testing (if required for the position), or the interview, should notify the Human Resources Office 10 working days before the accommodation is required.

Neither the smoking of tobacco (nor other substances) nor the use of electronic vaporizers is permitted on the campus grounds.

SUNY Ulster does not reimburse applicants for travel, lodging or any other costs incurred by applicant to attend interviews.  All interviewing costs incurred will be the responsibility of the applicant. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview. Internal applicants are not guaranteed an interview.

Conditions of EmploymentEmployment with SUNY Ulster is not complete or official until applicants meet all pre-employment requirements, and the Board of Trustees has approved. Offer and assignment of employment is subject to verification of all information provided on the employment application, fingerprint check, verification of the right to work in the United States and all other required pre-employment conditions are met.

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