Senior Director of Development at InsideHigherEd
Job Description
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Department:: Division of Advancement
Locations:: Binghamton, NY
Posted:: Nov 11, 2025
Closes:: Open Until Filled
Type:: Full-time
Ref. No.:: 07114, 07115
Position ID:: 194605
About Binghamton University:
Binghamton University is a premier public R1 research institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with some of the most vibrant research in the nation. Our unique character - shaped by our mission, outstanding academics, facilities, and community life - promotes extraordinary student success, research, and service; Binghamton University is where our students, faculty and staff thrive.
Working at Binghamton University is more than about having a great job - it is about having the opportunity to flourish in an exciting, engaging environment. Our faculty and staff appreciate Binghamton's collegial and inclusive culture and its commitment to excellence, education, innovation and civic engagement. Our diverse campus community contributes to our success.
Binghamton merges rigorous academics, distinguished faculty who value cutting-edge, and community-engaged research, teaching and service, exceptional staff, and ultramodern facilities to engage and challenge its 18,000+ students. Our high-achieving student body represents diverse experiences from first-generation college-goers to international students. Beyond their talent, these classmates share a desire to shape the future through technology, insight, intellectual exploration, and community service.
We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and in keeping with this commitment, we welcome all to apply, including veterans and persons with disabilities.
Job Description:
Budget Title: Director Fundraising (SL-5)
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Binghamton University Advancement fuels the strategic priorities of the University by building lasting relationships with alumni, philanthropic partners and others in our campus community to inspire support and investment, build pride and enhance the University.
Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development, the Senior Director of Development plays a pivotal role in securing philanthropic support for the University by building and managing a portfolio of high-capacity prospects. This position focuses on growing and sustaining long-term donor relationships and collaborating with faculty and university partners to inspire transformative giving that fuels the University's mission.
Job Responsibilities:
- Build and manage a portfolio of 80-100 prospect households, comprised of a mixture of unqualified, new and long-term donors, with the goal of securing major gifts.
- Regularly solicit and close gifts of various sizes with the goal of increasing gifts of $250,000 - $1,000,000 while simultaneously raising donor sights, encouraging annual giving, multi-year commitments, and estate gifts.
- Travel extensively within assigned geographic regions, up to 40% of staff time, to qualify new prospects and to cultivate and solicit existing ones. Be available to work nights and weekends as needed.
- Complete a minimum of 120 strategic meetings with prospective and existing donors annually.
- Articulate the vision, mission, goals and core values of the University to its constituents.
- Participate in a comprehensive major gift program for the University by facilitating active relationships for assigned prospects with University partners while endeavoring to match University funding needs with prospects' interests.
- Involve University leadership, faculty and staff in strategy development and prospect activities to foster multiple points of contact for each prospect.
- Maintain accurate records of donor interactions and gift documentation in accordance with university fundraising policies.
- Serve as a resource to fellow gift officers, contributing to prospect strategy development and stewardship initiatives.
- Formulate and implement strategies for short-and long-term giving outcomes, being accountable to performance metrics.
- Follow budget guidelines regarding expenditures incurred in major gift fundraising for effective and efficient use of University resources.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Effective communication skills with an ability to write and speak persuasively about the role of educational philanthropy
- Results- and people-oriented
- Attention to detail
- Discretion with confidential information
- Ability to work independently and in a team
- Dedication to the purpose and mission of the University
- Solid work ethic, conscientiousness and ability to forge productive relationships
- Ability to learn quickly
- Astuteness and ability to make adjustments to and work within changing environments
- Ability to represent the University and Foundation in a positive and professional image in, both internally and externally
- Extensive travel and some nights and weekend work are required
Requirements:
- Bachelor's Degree.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in major gift solicitation, or an equivalent combination of related experience
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
- Experience in a position that required leadership skills
- Experience in a position that required effective written, speaking and listening skills
Preferred:
- Experience in a higher education environment
- Demonstrated ability to cultivate, solicit and steward major gifts of $100,000 and above
- Experience with fundraising software
- Knowledge of planned giving techniques and vehicles
- Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that Binghamton University is not an E-Verify employer.
Additional Information:
Offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials.
Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus.
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at [email protected]
Payroll information can be found on our website https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/payroll/
Cover letters may be addressed "To the Search Committee."
Postings active on the website, accept applications until closure.
For information on the Dual Career Program, please visit:
https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/prospective/dual-career/index.html
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
The State University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is the policy of Binghamton University to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.
As required by Title IX and its implementing regulations Binghamton University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs and activities which it operates. This requirement extends to employment and admission. Inquiries about sex discrimination may be directed to the University Title IX Coordinator or directly to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and OCR, as well as the University's complete Non-Discrimination Notice may be found here.
Binghamton University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator by completing the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.
Application Instructions:
All applicants must apply via Interview Exchange: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=194605
Deadline for Internal Applicants:
Deadline for External Applicants: Open until filled
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the vacancy is filled.
Please submit:
- Resume,
- Cover letter, and
- Contact information for three professional references
You may add additional files/documents after uploading your resume. After you fill out your contact information, you will be directed to the upload page. Please login to check/edit your profile or to upload additional documents: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/login.jsp.
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