Associate vice president development

Ithaca College located in Ithaca, New York, seeks an experienced frontline advancement professional with exceptional leadership skills to serve in a key role as Associate Vice President for Development in the Advancement Office. The new hire, who will report directly to Laine Norton, the Vice President, Advancement, will lead and manage the Development team (Major and Planned Giving).

Ithaca College is seeking a true ‘player/coach’ who is strategic in their approach to philanthropy, highly inspirational to staff and who can help build relationships, cultivate, and close Ithaca College high-end donors, including both alumni and parents. Additionally, the Associate Vice President for Development works closely with the advancement staff, campus leaders, and senior volunteers to set Development policies and priorities. This position is open immediately and will be filled following a comprehensive national search and the candidate of choice is identified.

This high visibility position will serve as a member of the Vice President's Senior Leadership Team including working with the President’s Office and Trustees. The new AVPD will assess, analyze and help implement the implications of proposed actions and decisions on the organization. Works closely with the Vice President, Advancement’s leadership team and volunteers to develop strategy, policies, and procedures for the raising principal, major, and planned gifts. Leads and oversees effort to determine goals and activities to support those goals to the successful funding of our institutional priorities. Works directly with major donors and senior volunteers to further organizational objectives. Plans, directs, and supervises the work of the frontline staff in a way that is supportive of a strategically oriented systematic, data-based approach to prospect development. Provides insight and makes recommendations concerning all aspects of assigned function, indicating alternatives and solutions to the Vice President, Advancement and senior volunteers. The current endowment of Ithaca College is $400M+. The last two years the college has raised $11.5M which continues on an upward trajectory.

Job Responsibilities

• Work closely and engage with the Vice President, Advancement to strategically develop and strengthen prospect relationships and involvement with the College.
• Provide leadership, inspiration, and supervision for the frontline fundraising team, including training and development that aligns with institutional needs. Prepare annual and long-range plans and forecasts for administrative review and coordinate plan revisions and updates. Recommend various personnel actions including, but not limited to, hiring, merit recommendations, vacation schedules, and performance evaluations. Prepare, execute, and monitor annual budgets for the frontline fundraising program. Verify and reconcile expenditures within established guidelines.
• Personally manage a portfolio of 40-60 major gift and planned giving prospects, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities. Develop strategies for building successful relationships between prospects and Ithaca College, with the goal of soliciting and closing gifts of $50,000 and above. Correspond with and visit prospects, donors, and their advisors. Travel as appropriate to fulfill duties. Maintain and submit timely reports on visits with prospects and donors.
• Establish strategic program and prospect goals for outright and deferred giving in conjunction with the VP, Advancement and Executive Director of Gift Planning. Prepare annual reports and program assessment. Also, in conjunction with the VP, Advancement, develop a plan that includes ride-along, measurable targets for the frontline fundraising team that demonstrate productivity related to personal visits, stewardship activities, solicitations made, and new commitments and dollars raised within each fiscal year. Include results of progress in annual reviews of direct reports.
• Oversee a comprehensive program and strategies designed to identify, cultivate, and solicit donors and prospects capable of giving a gift of $50,000 or more for the College’s institutional priorities.
• Facilitate productive relationships between donors, senior administrators, and other College staff to solicit donors and prospects for high-level gifts in support of fund-raising priorities. As appropriate, introduce and involve additional College staff in the fund-raising process.
• Supervise the management of administrative responsibilities including timely completion of proposal, pledge, and commitment documents; documentation of individual prospect strategies and evaluation of new prospects; stewardship reports; and general correspondence.
• Oversee the Executive Director of Gift Planning’s coordination with Legal Affairs and Financial Services to manage incoming estate-related documents, the gift annuity program, and compliance issues.
• Working closely with the Director of donor relations, help to create and execute plans for the appropriate stewardship and recognition of principal, major, and planned gifts. Participate, as able, in a range of donor recognition activities and events having a strategic impact on the success of the Individual Giving program.
• Serve as a member and key advisor on Principal gift strategy and initiatives. Consult with the Vice President on involving the President and other members of the college’s highest level administrative leadership in cultivation efforts.
• Partner with leadership from other Advancement programs to ensure leadership and major prospects are effectively identified, assigned, qualified, cultivated, solicited and stewarded.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications/Skills & Knowledge

• Excellent communication (written, verbal, and presentation) skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships.
• A strong strategically oriented leadership and management style which inspires others to achieve lofty goals and objectives.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to synthesize complex or diverse information.
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
• Impeccable organizational (time, task, project management) skills and ability to coordinate resources and staff within the college community.
• Must be flexible, collaborative, and have a positive attitude. Proficiency in basic data management systems and basic computer applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Willingness and ability to learn additional applications as needed.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed; generally, 2-3 times a month for various lengths of time. Ability and willingness to work weekends, evenings, and other non-traditional schedules.
• Personal commitment to excellence and the mission of a top-tier small liberal arts college.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusivity and to serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse and inclusive community with diplomacy and tact.
  
  

Work Experiences

Familiarity with the academic environment and higher education, preferably the liberal arts.

• 8+ years of experience in higher education advancement or equivalent.
• 5+ years of frontline fundraising experience, including successful solicitations with high-end donors, and familiarity with annual and reunion giving and/or alumni development experience, preferably in an academic setting.
• Demonstrated experience in and ability to cultivate and close major or deferred gift commitments is required.
• Experience with capital campaigns strongly preferred.
• Extensive experience working with leading, managing, and motivating staff.
• Bachelor’s Degree required, Masters’ degree preferred in a related field but not required.
  
  

The new hire that we seek must have a demonstrated understanding of nurturing fund-raising philosophy and model informed by a systematic moves management approach that recognizes meaningful engagement leads to greater philanthropy. A strong commitment to strategic collaboration with partners across the Advancement Division and campus is essential for success. Demonstrated leadership ability, judgement, and experience supervising a cohesive team required. A strong attention to detail, interpersonal, organizational, oral, and written communication skills; and the ability to travel and attend College functions during and after normal business hours are all required. Previous experience working at an institution of higher education is preferred though experienced advancement professionals from other sectors are encouraged to explore this high-profile opportunity.

Ithaca College, commitment to diversity

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.

Benefits

Ithaca College is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.

Ithaca College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. For more information on benefits please visit:

Employment

In an effort to promote campus safety and the security of College resources, Ithaca College will, consistent with the requirements of the law and prudent practices, conduct criminal background investigations per College policy. This position is subject to a criminal background check. All offers of employment are contingent upon review of the criminal background check.

This opportunity is available immediately, and will be filled following a comprehensive national search, and when the candidate of choice is identified and selected. The start date will be Fall 2025, though interested individuals who are not able to start until a later timeline are still encouraged to explore. For more background on Ithaca College, please visit

The target salary range for this position is $165,000. to $190,000. and will be commensurate with work experience.

To see the full posting please visit the Deerfield Associates website -

Contact Information

To explore this superb career opportunity on a highly confidential basis, send your résumé and a letter of interest, along with a list of your top four (4) references (who will be contacted only if mutual interest is determined) to: Doug Cooney, Executive Search Consultant, DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES Executive Search, Inc. 572 Washington Street, Suite 15, Wellesley, MA 02482 Telephone: 781-237-2800. Email: [email protected]