Executive Director, Family Giving Program

Job Description

The Executive Director (ED) of Family Giving Programs reports to the Vice President of Principal Gifts and Strategic Initiatives and works closely with the Senior Vice President of Student Experience. This role is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing strategies to secure philanthropic support from families in support of the University’s fundraising goals with a special focus on fundraising for the priorities of the Division of Student Experience. The ED oversees the Parents Council and other family related boards or central initiatives, and coordinates parent giving programs across campus working closely with colleges and units. This position carries a portfolio of 40-60 major/principal gift donors, including key members of the Parents’ Council. This position will manage three gift officers who identify, qualify, solicit, and steward philanthropic support from parents and former parents consistent with annual goals and objectives.

The Executive Director is often called upon as a front-line communicator with parents regarding happenings on campus and must be a superb and diplomatic oral and written communicator. Finally, the Executive Director is expected to be an ambassador for, and fluent in, the programs and offerings that distinguish the Syracuse University student experience.

Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree is required.A Master’s degree and/or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.Leadership and operational experience, including translating strategic imperatives into actionable plans. Higher education, specifically student experience preferred.Demonstrated success in fundraising and/or constituent development, with a proven track record of executing strategy and developing relationships with external constituents.Demonstrated success in managing, supervising and motivating staff with a track record of staff development, performance and accountability.A valid Driver’s license is required.

Job Specific Qualifications:Ability to manage and work well with various personalities, building teamwork and collaboration to achieve goals.Ability to foster a collaborative, customer-oriented working environment.Ability to manage confidential information/ maintain confidentiality.Skill in developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.Ability to implement short and long-term goals while managing multiple projects, tasks, and deadlines.Excellent oral and written communication skills demonstrated by clear, concise, and persuasive writing, public speaking, and private discourse.Excellent interpersonal communication skills and demonstrated experience successfully working with persons from diverse backgrounds.Proven success working with high-level administrators and staff.Detail oriented with strong organizational skills, highly driven and results oriented.

Responsibilities:Develop, plan, implement and evaluate strategies to grow philanthropy from current and former family constituencies and alumni, with special attention to the needs of the Division of Student Experience.Collaborate regularly and effectively with colleagues within the AEA division and across the schools, colleges, and units to identify donor cohorts, set prospect strategies, develop proposals and gift agreements.Create and/or serve as a senior partner to develop opportunities for parent and family engagement.Recommend and coordinate Chancellor and senior leadership visits with parents.Develop and/or oversee all councils associated with family giving and engagement, primarily the Parents’ Council (100 members), which provides unrestricted support for the SVP for SE and their division.Meet annual goals regarding target size of Council(s) and expected solicitations/donations.Supervise and direct three departmental gift officers, including the application and implementation of clear annual performance metrics based on role.Provide creative leadership and strategies for qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of alumni, parents, and friends.Support officers to understand institutional fundraising priorities across all units and provide appropriate support in a timely manner.Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward current and prospective parent donors with an emphasis on gifts of $100,000 or more but including gifts across a wide spectrum from leadership annual giving ($2,500+) to principal gift level ($2.5M).Manage a portfolio of approximately 60 donors and prospects and achieve solicitation, close, and visit goals.