Position Summary

The Associate Director, Development is a frontline fundraising professional responsible for managing a portfolio of alumni, parents, and friends of Ithaca College with the capacity and inclination to make leadership annual gifts, with a primary focus on the Blue & Gold Giving Society. The position manages prospects through discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship and works collaboratively with colleagues, faculty, and senior leadership to strengthen donor relationships and advance leadership annual giving. This position may be performed remotely for individuals residing within the assigned geographic territory (Metro NYC). Individuals residing outside the assigned territory must be within reasonable commuting distance of Ithaca College.

Supervision

Reports to: Senior Director, Development
Supervises: None

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Prospect Management

• Manage a portfolio of leadership annual giving prospects, including alumni, parents, and friends, through discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Establish and maintain active prospect management strategies and work with the Senior Director, Development to establish goals for prospect visits and solicitations.
• Develop and strengthen prospect relationships through regular in-person and virtual engagement, including travel within the assigned geographic territory.
• Identify opportunities to refer prospects with potential for major gift support to the appropriate major gift pipeline.

Fundraising

• Develop and execute strategies to acquire, renew, and upgrade leadership annual giving donors, with a primary focus on the Blue & Gold Giving Society.
• Solicit leadership annual gifts and manage the process through gift closure and stewardship.
• Maintain accountability for fundraising activity and results, including the number and dollar amount of gifts solicited and closed, number of visits per year and referrals to major gift pipeline.

Engagement & Collaboration

• Collaborate with colleagues across the Division of Advancement, faculty, and senior leadership to develop meaningful engagement opportunities for leadership annual giving prospects.
• Participate in on- and off-campus events, including Alumni Weekend, Homecoming Weekend, campus visits, commencement, dedications, recognition events, regional programs, and other College activities, and engage prospects strategically through these opportunities.
• Assist with the recruitment, training, and management of volunteers supporting leadership annual giving initiatives, including peer-to-peer solicitation efforts and special initiatives.

Data & Reporting

• Maintain accurate and current prospect information and management strategies in the College’s database.
• Document visits, solicitations, and other prospect activity in a timely and thorough manner to support effective prospect management and reporting.
• Monitor and assess performance against established measures, including donor acquisition, renewal and upgrades, prospect visits, major gift referrals, and the number and dollar amount of gifts solicited and closed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of directly related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with individuals across a broad range of professions and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships and work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Ability to effectively represent Ithaca College and communicate its mission, vision and priorities to internal and external audiences.
• Knowledge of the higher education environment and a demonstrated ability to support institutional mission and priorities.
• Ability to travel extensively and attend College functions during and after normal business hours.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement and carry out responsibilities with professionalism and accountability.

Work Environment

The position requires regular use of a computer and other standard office equipment, regular movement between campus locations for meetings, programs, events, and other work-related activities, and occasional evening and weekend work to support College programs, events, meetings, and other responsibilities. Frequent travel may be required to develop and strengthen prospect relationships and participate in College-related activities.

Inclusive Excellence

Ithaca College is committed to fostering a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive community. Employees are expected to treat others with dignity, value diverse perspectives, and contribute to a culture of belonging and collaboration.