Posting DetailsPosting Details
Job # 042876
Department Code 21212-2026
Department School of Management
Job Title 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 $89,000 - $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 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 The Director of Development reports to the Assistant Dean for Advancement & External Engagement and serves as a frontline fundraiser and external engagement leader for the Whitman School of Management. The Director is responsible for managing a comprehensive portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, leading the full lifecycle of philanthropic engagement including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship with a focus on securing gifts of $100,000 and above.
In addition, the Director will develop and strengthen strategic partnerships between the Whitman School and external corporations, foundations, and organizations by identifying opportunities for philanthropic investment, corporate sponsorship, experiential learning support, and mutually beneficial engagement. The Director will serve as a key relationship manager, connecting industry partners and alumni with the School's priorities, programs, and initiatives to advance institutional goals and increase external support.
Education and Experience - Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of five years' experience across external relations, corporate engagement, fundraising, sales and revenue, or comparable fields of relationship building, 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 communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders
- Strategic thinker able to develop and successfully execute fundraising plans.
- Exceptional organizational skills, ability to follow through and attention to detail, manage multiple priorities.
- Strong verbal and written skills.
- Excels at building relationships internally and externally.
- Must be donor and goal centric, team oriented and a collaborative campus partner and leader
- Ability to work collaboratively in a complex environment and work independently.
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 a portfolio of active supporters, high-capacity donors and prospects and travel in assigned regions of the country to maximize giving potential of each donor and prospect, including an annual goal of 120+ in person and virtual meetings.
- Discover and qualify suspects for major and principal gifts as well as solicit annual gifts at the leadership annual giving level and multiyear commitments to the Whitman Leadership Circle philanthropic society
- Develop and implement a strategic plan for mapping Whitman School programs to the relevant needs of corporate partners and opportunities for philanthropic engagement and/or sponsorship. Discovers, cultivates, solicits, and stewards current and new corporate donors to meet annual goals.
- Be a subject-matter expert on Whitman programs, as well as an expert in their company's ongoing business needs and corporate social responsibility focuses to identify and propose engagement and funding opportunities that are mutually beneficial to Whitman and the company.
- Partner closely with the Whitman Career Services and Employer Relations team as well as AEA's Central Corporate & Foundation teams to foster teamwork, cohesive strategy and aligned approaches pertaining to relationships with existing and/or potential employers and companies
- Partner closely with the Assistant Dean for Advancement, Whitman department leadership, campus colleagues and stakeholders, and programmatic leadership to shape and advance the external engagement strategy for the Whitman School inclusive of individual and corporate philanthropy.
- Lead efforts to build and sustain robust major gift prospect pipelines.
- 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 as well as recording all contact reports, activity, and interactions in Citrus Represent the college and their interests/priorities across campus as needed.
- Project management as assigned.
- 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.
Quick Link https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/113479
Job Posting Date 06/23/2026
Application DeadlineFull Consideration ByJob Category Staff
Message to Applicants 
