University Advancement Associate Director

Rochester Institute of Technology; United States; Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Rochester Institute of Technology seeks an University Advancement Associate Director to cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership annual and major gift donors. The role manages a 125-prospect portfolio, develops cultivation strategies, and coordinates donor engagement in collaboration with college partners and volunteers.

The position emphasizes discovery, qualification, and donor engagement to advance university priorities and Sentinel Society growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field is required.
• 5 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong knowledge of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gifts.

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 donor stewardship.
• Develops an understanding of educational, research, operational, and financial needs and goals of assigned college.
• Cultivates relationships with alumni, parents, companies, and other friends, collaborating with teams to encourage donor support.
• Plans, coordinates, and directs special events for donors and prospects.
• Updates the donor strategies database with information on proposals, contacts, and results.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Gifts cultivation

Donor communications

Stakeholder networking

Multi-project management

Information synthesis

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

5 years of relevant experience

Job description

Position Highlights

The University Advancement Associate Director builds and advances the prospect pipeline in support of university priorities, with a dedicated focus on Parents, Sentinel Society, and Athletics. The position manages a portfolio of approximately 125 prospects, developing and executing cultivation and solicitation strategies that strengthen relationships and result in leadership, annual, and major gifts. The Associate Director also maintains a strong focus on discovery and qualification, with an expectation of approximately 150 prospect and donor visits annually. This role collaborates across University Advancement and with university partners, volunteers, and stakeholders to expand Sentinel Society membership, engage parents and Athletics prospects, and coordinate stewardship and donor engagement opportunities that strengthen philanthropic support for RIT. University Advancement RIT's Division of University Advancement builds meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, friends, corporations, foundations, and other partners whose engagement and philanthropy advance the university's mission. The division is a collaborative, forward-thinking environment that values trust, accountability, innovation, and shared expertise. Advancement professionals have the opportunity to connect supporters with transformative initiatives that fuel student success, groundbreaking research, experiential learning, and programs that shape the future of technology, health sciences, and creative problem-solving. Closely aligned with their dedicated college(s), the Senior Advancement Director serves as a trusted strategic partner to college leadership and faculty. This role connects donor passions with opportunities that advance education, student achievement, faculty excellence, innovative research, and emerging university priorities. Working within a university recognized for its hands-on approach, industry partnerships, and commitment to innovation, the Senior Advancement Director plays a key role in securing philanthropic investments that create lasting impact for students, faculty, and the broader community.

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 5 years of relevant experience Equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered

Job Level Overview

Specialized Contributor Level 2 - A fully functional role requiring established knowledge of the profession or field of work. Responsible for completing substantive assignments and projects. Problems are varied and non-routine, and resolution requires exercising judgment, analysis, advisement, creativity, and understanding broader sets of issues. May provide assistance to entry level staff.

Work Location

Hybrid

Compensation

$65,900.00 - $105,400.00 Annual

Additional Details

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources.

RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities.

RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to [e-mail].

Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Founded in 1829, Rochester Institute of Technology has a long-standing history of innovation that blends the arts, technology, and experiential learning.

In addition to its main campus in Rochester, New York, RIT maintains a strong international presence with over 100 active global partnerships and international campuses in Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo.

As of Fall 2024, total student enrollment across all campuses exceeded 21,000.

Nationally recognized for its co-op and internship programs, RIT is supported by more than 4,000 dedicated faculty and staff members committed to student success.

Its 1,300-acre suburban campus features cutting-edge facilities that reflect RIT’s strengths in applied research, design, and workforce development.

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