What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Dean for Development, Rossin College of Engineering position at Lehigh University?
Work type: Exempt Staff Full-time
Location: Partial Remote, Bethlehem
Categories: Development/ Alumni Relations
Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President for Development and serving on the Dean’s senior leadership team, the Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Affairs (DAR) is the chief development officer for Rossin College. The Associate Dean will provide strategic vision and leadership for all fundraising activities and alumni engagement, while working collaboratively with leadership in both Development and Alumni Relations and the College.
The AD helps shape the strategic planning and drive the implementation of an integrated fundraising approach to maximize support for Rossin through major and principal gift fundraising, annual giving, stewardship, donor-related events, and other engagement opportunities. Key responsibilities include leading a development team, overseeing a fundraising plan for the Rossin, and engaging with highly placed alumni and academic leaders. The Associate Dean is the principal advisor to the dean on all aspects of development and also serves as the chief liaison to the university’s office of development and alumni relations and acts as the school’s advocate within that office.
Position Number: S80021
This position is a Grade: 13 - 40 with an approximate salary range of $134,320-$163,430 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.
Key Responsibilities:
- In conjunction with the Dean and AVP, establish annual fundraising goals backed by metrics that support the goal
- In conjunction with the Dean, establish campaign priorities and messaging.
- Lead efforts to identify new prospects and develop the prospect pipeline, engaging academic leaders and key volunteers in the process.
- Develop campaign themes, outreach, and communications strategies.
- Implement an integrated approach to development and alumni relations programs, ensuring alignment between college and university priorities.
- Spearhead creative fundraising and alumni engagement strategies for the College.
- Effectively implement that strategy, and contribute to the overall campaign for Lehigh.
- Manage a budget for the College fundraising efforts, track and reconcile expenses, utilize allocated resources in accordance with University practices and standards and as a strategic planning tool that directly aligns with each year’s annual plans and donors.
- Provide leadership, and direction to the staff
- Build a collaborative team culture
- Help establish fundraising goals for the College and frontline team members
- Provide mentorship and training to ensure staff successfully meet goals.
- Establish and maintain existing relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Act as a liaison between Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), College’s Dean, faculty, and staff.
- The Associate Dean must be effective in articulating the college’s priorities, leverage opportunities for important collaboration, and must maintain good communications with the college's alumni and academic leaders.
- Work with the Director of Development and Associate Director of Development to support the college departments with a liaison structure.
- Manage a small portfolio of prospects capable of making substantial gifts, requiring meaningful interaction and strategic planning.
- In conjunction with the dean’s office, plan the semi-annual dean’s advisory council meetings and provide thought leadership to other advisory councils within the college (i.e., at the department, center, or institute level).
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in a related field
- Eight or more years of related work experience
- Proven ability to close major and principal gifts
- Experience managing and mentoring development professionals
- Strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
- Willingness and ability to travel
- Must be able to use sound judgment in decisional making
- Must be able to complete tasks that are urgent or of a sensitive and confidential nature while meeting competing deadlines
Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and we seek qualified candidates to contribute to the university’s mission. Lehigh University offers a comprehensive and family friendly benefits package which includes but is not limited to Health Care, Retirement and Educational benefits. Information can be found on our website.
- The duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by their supervisor.
- This position is responsible for driving University-owned vehicles as a routine function, therefore a valid Driver’s License and a good driving record is required.
- This position has fiscal or financial responsibilities other than employee expense activity, such as processing or approving transactions; monitoring or preparing budgets; or generating income for University; therefore a credit check will be ordered upon hire.
Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.
Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety. Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.
Advertised: December 05, 2025 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:
Salary : $134,320 - $163,430