University Advancement Senior Director

Rochester Institute of Technology•Rochester, NY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in related field
10 years of relevant experience
Equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered
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
Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

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