Director of Advancement

The Director of Advancement is a high-impact leadership rolereporting directly to the Vice President for College Relations anda part of the leadership team within College Relations. Thisposition is responsible for the strategic vision and operationalexecution of a holistic engagement and fundraising ecosystem. TheDirector will lead the efforts to inform and engage Union College’sglobal network of alumni and parents, transforming meaningfulconnection into sustained philanthropic support. By bridging the gap between institutional advancement andconstituent relations, the Director will oversee the Alumni andParent Engagement and the Annual Fund office to ensure a seamlessdonor journey. This leader must be a sophisticated communicator andstrategist, capable of navigating complex institutional prioritieswhile fostering an entrepreneurial culture that drives revenuegrowth and deepens the sense of belonging within the Unioncommunity. Director of Advancement Pay Status and Classification: Exempt, Regular Full-time.This position is not eligible for relocation assistance or visasponsorship. Supervisor: Vice President for College Relations Essential Responsibilities and Duties: Act as a key advisor to the Vice President for CollegeRelations, aligning annual giving and engagement goals with theCollege’s broader strategic priorities. Develop and execute an annual strategic plan that synchronizes alumni and parent programming with fundraising appeals to maximize both participation and total dollars raised. Prepare and present comprehensive progress reports to the Boardof Trustees and external stakeholders, providing data-driven insights on engagement health and fundraising trends. Lead the strategy for informing the community on college initiatives, ensuring alumni and parents are educated on Union’s mission, academic excellence, and future vision. Manage the Alumni and Parent Engagement office to deliver high-quality events and volunteer opportunities that move constituents through the engagement lifecycle. Design specific outreach and engagement tracks for parents, ensuring they are recognized as primary stakeholders in the College's success, regardless of their alumni status. Drive institutional synergy by partnering with Admissions, Athletics, the Career Center and Academic Departments to integrate alumni and parent involvement into student recruitment, career mentorship, and department-specific philanthropic initiatives. Demonstrated success in managing and optimizing volunteer structures, including alumni and parent boards or committees. Optimize the structure of alumni and parent boards/committees, leveraging these advocates to expand the College’s reach and influence. Partner with the Alumni Council to align volunteer initiatives with institutional goals, ensuring the Council serves as a primary driver of alumni connectivity and advocacy. Oversee the Annual Fund, implementing innovative strategies for unrestricted and restricted giving, and leadership-level annual gifts. Collaboratively build a robust pipeline of major gift prospects by identifying high-potential donors within the alumni and parent cohorts. Qualifications: 7–10 years of progressive experience in non-profit fundraisingor higher education advancement, with a proven track record ofmanaging annual funds and large-scale engagement programs. Exceptional team leadership skills, including a history ofhiring, coaching, and developing staff to meet ambitious performance metrics. A sophisticated "entrepreneurial spirit" with the ability to build, steward, and leverage a personal portfolio of high-level donors and stakeholders. Proven ability to work effectively across diverse departments(Athletics, Admissions, Faculty) to achieve institutional goals. Expert-level written and verbal communication skills; abilityto serve as a primary ambassador for Union College. Advanced experience with CRM databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge,Slate) and data analytics to drive strategy and report on KeyPerformance Indicators. Superior organizational and budgeting skills, with the abilityto manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously undertight deadlines. A high level of professionalism and the ability to navigate sensitive institutional issues with discretion and accountability. Compensation: The annual salary range for this position is$140,000-$150,000. Except for roles with a set rate of pay, the wage/salary of the finalist selected for this role will be setbased on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The stated hiring rate/range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the rate/range of possible compensation at the time of posting. Location: Schenectady, NY We offer exceptional benefits including: Generous Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time Winter Recess Break in Addition to Paid Holidays (in accordance with policy) Healthcare: Medical (PPO & HDHP), Dental, and VisionInsurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts) Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On-Campus Wellness Programs Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability Tuition Exchange Background Checks: In accordance with our background check policy, finalists for hire will undergo abackground check that includes education, employment, and criminal convictions. E-Verify Participation: Union College participates inE-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9information to confirm that you are authorized to work in theUnited States. Learn more about E-Verify and your Right to Work (Derecho a Trabajar). #J-18808-Ljbffr