Director of Development, Upstate NY/Great Lakes Region

Director of Development, Upstate NY/Great Lakes Region

 Posting Details 

Job #  | 042987
Department Code  | 50412-7125
Department  | Advancement and External Affairs
Job Title  | Director of Development, Upstate NY/Great Lakes Region
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  | $110,000 - $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  | S6
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  | This role serves as a front-line fundraiser and member of the Regional Advancement Team. Primary duties include establishing and managing effective relationships with prospects and existing donors who have the capacity to make a major gift. The Director will identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, close and steward major gift prospects located throughout Upstate New York, in Chicago, and adjacent regions. He /She will play an important role in the success of the current Campaign by continuing to build, engage, and solicit gifts from new and current donors with an emphasis on increasing annual giving and gifts of $100,000 or more. He/ she will engage alumni, parents, and donors in the life of the University and will collaborate with school and college-based colleagues to align donor interests with funding priorities. The Director is expected to make gift asks at all levels including soliciting prospects in their portfolio for a minimum annual gift of $2,500 as they build towards a major gift solicitation. The Director will also facilitate the work of the Chicago Regional Council, a core group of University ambassadors whose primary purpose is to help identify and engage key donors and prospects.

The Division of Advancement & External Affairs expresses a shared mission that is collaborative, trusted, respectful, future-focused and is aligned with the overall University. All current and new employees embrace and demonstrate dedication to promoting shared values in an inclusive work culture to propel the future of advancement operations in their everyday work.

Education and Experience  | Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree a plus. Experience in fund-raising work in higher education or equivalent is required. A successful record of accomplishment in major gifts is necessary and experience within an academic setting is preferred. Possession of a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle is required.
Skills and Knowledge  | The ideal candidate must be highly collaborative and have a demonstrated ability to work successfully with external constituents such as alumni and parents, as well as internal constituents such as administration, fundraising colleagues, faculty and deans. At the same time, the ability to work independently and manage competing deadlines and objectives is important. The position requires enthusiasm, strategic thinking, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to problem solve challenging situations. Proficiency in Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, including the ability to produce presentation quality documents is required.

Responsibilities 
Manage an assigned prospect/donor portfolio of approximately 80 alumni, parents, and friends to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and close major gifts for the University with an emphasis on gifts at the $100,000+ level. Conduct all stages of the major gift solicitation process: identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, close and steward. Develop, implement, and drive fundraising strategies designed to maximize current giving potential for each individual prospect in the assigned portfolio as well as other prospects in the region by creating support and facilitating cooperation throughout the campus community in pursuit of the best strategy for each donor. Discover, identify, and qualify new major gift prospects throughout this vast region. Work in collaboration with Central Giving and School/College/Unit colleagues to develop and implement fundraising strategies designed to maximize current and future giving potential for each prospect identified. Work collaboratively with Colleges/Schools/units and central AEA offices, including Central Giving Teams, Advancement Services, Research & Prospect Systems, Alumni Engagement, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Principal Gifts, and University Communications. Develop and maintain relationships with faculty, administrators, and staff volunteers associated with specific programs relevant to assigned prospects. Facilitate the work of the Chicago Regional Council, helping to develop alumni and parent volunteer leadership. Report results of all major gifts efforts in the Citrus database and to the Executive Director including, but not limited to: produce meeting calendar, generate development activity reports and system contact reports; coordinate and ensure the accuracy of data entry and maintenance of regional related development records, interactions, and donor/prospect files via CITRUS in collaboration with AEA central units.

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/114088
Job Posting Date  | 08/07/2026
Application Deadline  |
Full Consideration By  |
Job Category  | Staff
Message to Applicants  | 

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