University Advancement Senior Director

Rochester Institute of Technology; United States; Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Rochester Institute of Technology is seeking an Advancement Senior Director to lead major gift fundraising in alignment with institutional priorities. You will manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, cultivate and solicit gifts, and collaborate across divisions to advance donor engagement and events.

The role focuses on the College of Science and College of Health Sciences and Technology and requires building donor pipelines through strategic engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent combination of experience and education.

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

Skills

Cultivating gifts

Soliciting gifts

Closing gifts

Written communication

Verbal communication

Networking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

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.

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
• 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

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.

Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

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, NewYork, RIT maintains a strong international presence with over 100 active global partnerships and international campuses in Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo. As of Fall2024, 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.