Associate Vice President for Development - Major Gifts

Job Description
The University at Albany seeks a proven leader of a major gifts‑driven development program to serve as Associate Vice‑President for Advancement. Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, the Associate Vice President for Advancement (AVP) is a senior member of the Advancement leadership team responsible for setting strategic direction and leading the development and execution of fundraising strategies.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic fundraising: lead the development and implementation of advancement strategic plans, serving as the primary strategic advisor to the vice president and university leadership.

Campaign execution: serve as tactical leader for university‑wide fundraising campaigns to ensure philanthropic support for institutional strategic priorities.

Leadership and management: supervise and foster the professional development of major‑gift fundraising staff.

Collaboration: partner with senior leadership, including the President, deans, and program directors, to align fundraising within institutional priorities and strategically engage them in donor cultivation and solicitation efforts.

Portfolio management: engage and successfully solicit a select portfolio of prospects capable of making transformational gifts to UAlbany.

Prospect development: oversee research and sustain and expand the prospect pipeline.

Data and technology: leverage data analytics and technology to improve fundraising effectiveness.

Volunteer management: serve as liaison to the university's Advancement Advisory Council and other key volunteer leadership entities.

External presence: represent the university to external stakeholders, including boards and community leaders.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships

Reports to Vice President for Advancement.

Supervises the following positions: Development Officers (9), Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations, Director of Advancement Communications, Director of Research.

Job Requirements

Knowledge of major and principal gift fundraising strategies and best practices.

Ability to develop productive relationships with internal and external constituencies.

An understanding of the complexities of fundraising in a major research university environment with a multitude of academic units and programs with varying priorities.

Clear and effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including public presentation.

Ability to work with diverse constituencies and foster inclusion.

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are essential.

Willingness and ability to travel to meet with donors.

Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community.

Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or an internationally recognized accrediting organization.

Seven years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, including five or more years in a higher‑education setting.

Two or more years of experience supervising or leading professional staff.

Proven success in personally securing seven‑figure gifts.

Proven success in planning, implementing, and managing a comprehensive campaign and other initiatives related to major and principal gift fundraising.

Experience in effectively collaborating with academic leadership (e.g., dean, president) to strengthen philanthropic support.

Experience in staffing and managing advisory boards and committees.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience serving as a representative of an institution or organization to external stakeholders, including boards and community leaders.

Proficiency with fundraising databases (e.g., Blackbaud/Raiser's Edge).

Working Environment

Typical office environment.

Significant travel.

Professional Rank and Salary Range
Associate Vice‑President, MP, $217,000–240,000.

Special Notes
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that UAlbany is not an E‑Verify employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The University at Albany is an EO/AA/IRCA/ADA Employer.

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