Department Code
22401-2208
Job Title
Assistant Director of Advancement
Commitment to On-Campus Experience
Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.
Pay Range
$63,200 - $75,000
Pay Determination
Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.
Hours
Standard University business hours
8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)
Hours may vary based on operational needs.
Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable
Job Description
Assistant Director of Advancement is responsible for managing all aspects of annual giving, stewardship and recognition, including operational support, reporting, research, and all communications strategies for donors to Falk College. Reporting to the Asst. Dean for Advancement, he/she is focused on strategically stewarding, retaining, and further cultivating top donors and prospects. The role partners with Donor Relations colleagues and advancement/gift officers to develop, lead and implement engagement opportunities that are meaningful to principal and major gift donors, demonstrate the impact of their giving to Syracuse University/Falk College and illustrate gratitude for their giving and other contributions. This role combines administrative leadership with donor-facing execution and data-driven prospect intelligence, serving as a critical operational partner to the Assistant Dean and the broader advancement team.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- 2-4 years of experience in advancement services, stewardship, annual giving, or a related administrative/operations role, preferably in higher education.
- A valid driver’s license is required.
Skills and Knowledge
- Strong analytical skills and experience with donor databases (e.g., Blackbaud, Raiser’s Edge, Advance).
- Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to draft donor-facing correspondence and synthesize complex information into clear, concise briefs.
- High degree of discretion given regular access to confidential donor and financial information.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities.
Responsibilities
Stewardship & Donor Reports/Briefings:
- Create and implement strategies for communications vehicles and channels to donors
- Lead the creation and oversight of donor-specific stewardship reports tied to donor events or meetings, gathering information from multiple sources and coordinating with colleagues to ensure accuracy and honor donor intent.
- Work with frontline fundraisers to create stewardship plans for selected portfolios.
- Serve as point of contact with Donor Relations, and central advancement departments on donor-supported scholarship/fund matters for the David B. Falk College of Sport.
- Manage the weekly gift acknowledgment process and provide data analytics/reporting on weekly giving progress.
Annual Giving & Event Support:
- Develop, implement and lead annual giving solicitations and related execution, including donor segmentation and retrievals, campaign coordination, and progress reporting.
- Manage event planning and logistics, including donor and stakeholder events, Advisory Board meetings, and campus engagement initiatives.
Prospect Development & Research:
- Initiate research requests with the central Prospect Research team on individuals, corporations, and foundations to identify and evaluate prospects for the David B. Falk College of Sport.
- Produce prospect research briefs to support donor and prospect meetings, cultivation strategy, and solicitation planning.
- Monitor relevant sources for new connections and affiliations to the university.
- Maintain data accuracy and timely updates in development databases. Ensure the accuracy and timely entry of all information and records.
Office & Operations Management:
- Manage daily operations and administrative logistics for the Falk College of Sport advancement office, including scheduling, agenda preparation, and coordination of internal and external meetings with staff, volunteers, and donors.
- Process database retrievals and produce recurring and ad hoc reports as requested by the advancement team.
- Lead procurement and budget reconciliation processes.
- Collaboration (Internal/Central Advancement)
- Work closely with the Assistant Dean, gift officers, and central Advancement’s Prospect Research and Data Analytics team to refine processes and maximize the impact of research on fundraising activity for the David B. Falk College of Sport.
- Partner with academic departments to capture and track guest speaker information
- Coordinate with Falk Marketing & Communications to ensure accurate reporting and promotion of engagements.
Physical Requirements
Enter Physical Requirements or “Not Applicable”
Tools/Equipment
Enter Tools/Equipment or “Not Applicable”
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About the Syracuse area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
