Position Highlights

The Advancement Senior Director leads major gift fundraising efforts that advance Rochester Institute of Technology's strategic priorities, with a dedicated focus on the College of Science and College of Health Sciences and Technology. Working closely with academic leadership, faculty, and advancement colleagues, this role develops and implements comprehensive fundraising strategies that strengthen philanthropic support and drive institutional impact.

As the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, the Senior Director cultivates, solicits, and stewards donors capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more. This position is responsible for building meaningful relationships, identifying new philanthropic opportunities, and expanding the prospect pipeline through strategic engagement and outreach.

The Senior Director collaborates across University Advancement and partners with volunteer leaders, donors, and campus stakeholders to coordinate stewardship activities, donor engagement opportunities, and special events. Through these efforts, the role helps deepen donor relationships, inspire philanthropic investment, and advance RIT's mission and priorities.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards leadership annual gift and major gift donors and prospects in coordination with faculty, staff, and volunteers
• Manages a robust portfolio of prospects, creates fundraising strategies, develops relationships with donors, solicits gifts, and coordinates effective donor stewardship
• Develops an understanding of the educational, research, operational, and financial needs and goals of assigned college
• Cultivates relationships with alumni, parents, companies, and other friends, and collaborates with the teams in planned giving, principal giving, alumni relations, parent engagement, regional advancement, and corporate and foundation relations to encourage donors to support university initiatives
• Plans, coordinates, and directs special events for donors and prospects
• Updates the prospect management database with information related to donor strategies, proposals, contacts, and results
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts
• Skill in written and verbal communication
• Ability to network, establish, and foster working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to manage multiple projects, take initiative, and coordinate follow-up
• Ability to collect, synthesize, and process information quickly and accurately

Minimum Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• 10 years of relevant experience
• Equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered

Job Level Overview

Specialized Contributor Level 4 - An advanced/lead role requiring a high degree of knowledge and recognized expertise in the profession or field. Manages large projects, programs, or specialized assignments that are strategic in nature and are without precedent and/or structure. Typically serves as a mentor to less experienced staff and reviews or delegates work.

FLSA Category
Exempt

Work Location
Hybrid

Compensation
$95,000 - $135,000

Application Materials

When you are ready to complete an application for this position please be prepared to submit the below requested information. This will be required to ensure your application is processed in a timely manner.
Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.