Regional Director of Development, Upstate NY/Great Lakes

Syracuse University; City of Syracuse (NY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Syracuse University seeks a Director of Development for Upstate NY/Great Lakes to lead major gift fundraising from alumni, parents, and friends. The role emphasizes gifts of $100,000+, portfolio management, and collaboration with Colleges/Units to align donor interests with funding priorities.

Base campus position, in‑person presence required, with a pay range of $110,000–$125,000 and standard university hours. Strong experience in fundraising and relationship building is essential.

Qualifications

• 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.

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.

Skills

Collaboration

Independent work

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree required

Advanced degree a plus

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Syracuse University seeks a Director of Development for Upstate NY/Great Lakes to lead major gift fundraising from alumni, parents, and friends. The role emphasizes gifts of $100,000+, portfolio management, and collaboration with Colleges/Units to align donor interests with funding priorities.

Base campus position, in‑person presence required, with a pay range of $110,000–$125,000 and standard university hours. Strong experience in fundraising and relationship building is essential.