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Syracuse University

Associate Director of Development

🇺🇸 Syracuse, New York 🕑 Full-Time 💰 $90K - $110K 💻 Development & Advancement 🗓️ September 25th, 2026

Edtech.com's Summary

Syracuse University is hiring an Associate Director of Development. This role involves qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a mid-range portfolio of NYC-area donors and prospects to increase support in the $10,000-$99,999 range, managing discovery visits, and collaborating with various university giving programs to ensure donor pipeline growth and smooth hand-offs.

Highlights
  • Manage a portfolio of approximately 80 NYC-area donors with gifts ranging from $10,000 to $99,999.
  • Conduct 150-200 discovery visits annually to qualify and build a pipeline of prospects.
  • Collaborate with annual giving, leadership giving, major gifts, and gift planning teams to coordinate donor strategies.
  • Document all donor interactions and activities in the CITRUS database.
  • Require 3-5 years of fundraising experience, preferably in higher education or nonprofit sectors.
  • Bachelor's degree and valid Driver’s License are mandatory.
  • Demonstrate strong solicitation, relationship-building, communication, and organizational skills.
  • Role based in NYC metro area, supporting Syracuse University priorities through regional and campus collaboration.
  • Compensation range is $90,000 to $110,000 annually.
  • Manage outreach independently using data-driven prioritization against a large prospect pool.

Associate Director of Development Full Description

Associate Director of Development

Posting Details
Job # | 043106
Department Code | 50415-7135
Department | Advancement and External Affairs
Job Title | Associate Director of Development
Location | New York City/Metro 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 | $90,000-$110,000
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 | 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 required3-5 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.

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 | https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/114500
Job Posting Date | 09/11/2026
Application Deadline |
Full Consideration By |
Job Category | Staff
Message to Applicants | 

Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Resume/CV
  2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * How did you first find out about this position?
    • sujobopps.com (Syracuse University Online Employment website)
    • Syracuse University HR Recruiter
    • Virtual Career Fair (via NYS Department of Labor)
    • SUNY EOC (Equal Opportunity Center)
    • Women’s Opportunity Center
    • Jubilee Homes
    • Syracuse Northeast Community Center
    • Interfaith Works
    • JobPlus
    • Syracuse.com
    • Chronicle of Higher Education
    • HigherEdJobs.com
    • HERC (HERC Higher Ed Recruitment Consortium)
    • InsideHigherEd.com
    • Indeed.com
    • DiverseEducation.com (Diverse Issues in Higher Education website)
    • LinkedIn Job Posting
    • Facebook
    • Job Fair
    • Search Firm
    • Referred by an SU Employee
    • Other
  2. * If "other", please describe how you first found out about this position.
    (Open Ended Question)