Senior Director of Development

Senior Director of Development

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 Posting Details 

Job #  | 042814
Department Code  | 21814-3009
Department  | Arts & Sciences-Advancement
Job Title  | Senior Director of Development
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  | $125,000 - $135,000
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  | The Senior Director of Development reports to the Assistant Dean for Advancement and serves as a senior frontline fundraiser for the College of Arts & Sciences. This role is responsible for the full arc of major and principal gift work — discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship — with a focus on donors and prospects capable of giving $100,000 and above. The Senior Director will manage an active portfolio of approximately 80 high-capacity donors, build genuine relationships with alumni, parents, friends, and University colleagues, and serve as a compelling voice for A&S’s priorities and philanthropic potential. A key partner to the Assistant Dean and Dean in their work with top prospects, this person will be expected to move donors through the pipeline with purpose.
Education and Experience  | Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred. Minimum of eight years of fundraising experience, preferably in Higher education. Valid driver’s license is required.
Skills and Knowledge  | Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising including a record of discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors and prospects. Demonstrated ability to manage staff and volunteers. Strategic thinker able to develop and successfully execute fundraising plans. Exceptional organizational skills, ability to follow through and attention to details, manage multiple priorities. Strong verbal and written skills. Excel at building relationships internally and externally. Must be donor and goal centric. Ability to work collaboratively in a complex environment and work independently. Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.

Responsibilities
In coordination with the Assistant Dean, strategize, develop and execute individual fundraising plans to secure major and principal gifts from alumni, parents and friends with the capacity to make gifts of $100K+. Manage an assigned portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects (~80) to maximize giving potential of each donor and prospect. Discover and qualify suspects for major and principal gifts as well as solicit annual gifts at the leadership annual giving level. Focus on the College’s priorities and fundraising goals; Project management as needed. Serve as a senior leader on the advancement team. Partner closely with the Assistant Dean for Advancement and Dean to shape and advance fundraising strategy for the College. Lead efforts to build and sustain robust major gift prospect pipelines. Mentor and support frontline fundraisers to strengthen collective fundraising performance. Support the Dean’s travel and donor engagement activities as needed, including preparation of briefings, prospect strategies, and post-visit follow-up. Regularly review and assess progress to the achievement of goals via reports available in Dashboards. Represent the college and their interests/priorities across campus as needed. Project management as assigned. Support the Assistant Dean and Dean in their work with volunteer board(s) as needed. Attend and participate in college and central development office meetings, training opportunities, as well as University-wide functions. Other Duties as assigned.

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/113125
Job Posting Date  | 05/22/2026
Application Deadline  |
Full Consideration By  |
Job Category  | Staff
Message to Applicants  | 

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