Assistant Dean for Advancement

Job Description

The Assistant Dean for Advancement is responsible for securing significant philanthropic support for the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S, the College) through the development and execution of the College’s fundraising and engagement efforts. The position comprehensively manages the College’s advancement program and directly oversees the College’s advancement staff (currently six positions). The Assistant Dean has front line responsibility for the identification, solicitation, and stewardship of a portfolio of major donors and prospective donors. This position also serves as the primary contact and support for the A&S Dean’s Advisory Board.

Key performance metrics for this position include effective management of the advancement team, face-to-face visits, number and dollar value of solicitations and meeting the College’s annual new business and campaign goals. Serving as a part of the College leadership, this individual will work closely and collaboratively with the Dean and faculty, and Advancement and External Affairs (AEA) colleagues to achieve a high level of financial support from alumni, parents, and friends whose philanthropic priorities match the educational mission and academic programs in the College.

This is a pivotal and inspiring time for the College of Arts and Sciences at Syracuse University. As the University’s first and largest college – home to more than one-third of the undergraduate student body – the College spans a remarkable breadth of disciplines, from chemistry to religion, mathematics to philosophy. With the launch of a bold new strategic plan, and under the visionary leadership of Dean Behzad Mortazavi, the College is uniting students and faculty around a shared commitment to tackling the world’s most urgent challenges. Philanthropic support from alumni, families, and friends will be essential to realizing this vision. The advancement team, led by the assistant dean for advancement and working in close partnership with Dean Mortazavi and his cabinet, will play a central role in driving fundraising efforts, cultivating meaningful relationships with donors, and securing critical resources to support the College’s priorities. This is a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic team that is championing the College’s mission with vision, energy, and purpose.

The Division of Advancement & External Affairs expresses a shared mission that is collaborative, trusted, respectful, future-focused and is aligned with the overall University. All current and new employees embrace and demonstrate dedication to promoting shared values in an inclusive work culture to propel the future of advancement operations in their everyday work.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• 7 years of fundraising work in higher education and experience in supervising staff is required.
• Experience working with a professional\graduate school constituency preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and passport is required.
• Travel domestically to meet with donors and prospects.

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to develop and manage a comprehensive advancement plan.
• Ability to successfully coach and lead a team of advancement professionals, including hiring as needed.
• Proven experience in the full spectrum of development including cultivation, successfully soliciting six and seven figure gifts, stewardship, and donor recognition.
• Expert written and interpersonal communication skills including political acumen to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout a complex organization and with external constituencies.
• Expert skills in making persuasive and compelling cases for support.
• Exceptional organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Entrepreneurial spirit focused on goals achievement.
• Willingness and availability to travel domestically.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (the College) and the Associate Vice President for Colleges, Schools, and Units, to develop strategies and execute a comprehensive fundraising and engagement plan.
• Serve as the College’s chief development officer creating and implementing strategies to identify, cultivate and solicit alumni, parents, friends, corporations and foundations.
• Demonstrate accountability to VP for Academic Programs and Partnerships and to the Dean for executing campaign plan and driving toward achievement of advancement and unit goals.
• Work strategically and collaboratively with centrally based Advancement and External Affairs (AEA) offices and staff, including, Annual Giving, Gift Planning, Principal Gifts, Major Gifts, International and Regional Development, Alumni Engagement, Advancement Services, Prospect Development and Analytics, and Donor Relations.
• Represent the College and its priorities across the university community.
• Plan, manage and staff domestic prospect visits for the Dean.
• Lead the College of Arts and Sciences advancement staff, including direct oversight of a senior director of development, a director of development, associate director of development, and assistant director of development, and an administrative assistant (five staff).
• Record and maintain updated plans and opportunities for assigned portfolio as well as all other activity relative to donors and prospects. Record results of all solicitations into CITRUS/CRM database including meaningful interactions ensuring the accuracy of all entries.
• Serve as primary contact and provide oversight to the College’s volunteer advisory board(s) identifying, engaging, soliciting, and stewarding past and present board members.
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of College of Arts and Sciences priorities, academic programs, and centers of excellence in order to translate these assets into compelling funding opportunities and align them with donors’ interests.
• Work with the College faculty and staff to involve them with alumni engagement and funding opportunities where appropriate.
• Work with the College Budget Office to develop an understanding of annual budgetary needs and to regularly report on fundraising income.

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.