Associate Vice Chancellor for University Advancement

City University of New York (CUNY)

The Office of University Advancement (OUA) assists campus advancement staff on their philanthropic endeavors and helps promote a culture of philanthropy through the coordination of professional development training, fundraising data tracking, promoting best practices, provision of fundraising resources, and peer-to-peer networking. In addition, OUA staff works closely with the Chancellor and other leaders across the CUNY system to cultivate philanthropic relationships with individual and institutional donors who can make impactful contributions to the system overall and its constituent colleges and units.

The City University of New York is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) for University Advancement to play a key role in advancing the institution's mission and strategic priorities. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, the AVC provides strategic leadership and direct management for comprehensive fundraising and engagement initiatives. The successful candidate will foster a culture of philanthropy and collaboration across the university, inspiring investment in CUNY.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Lead the management and growth of principal gifts strategy for CUNY Central Office.

Serve as a strategic partner to the Vice Chancellor, assisting in the creation and execution of the University’s overarching advancement strategy, including system-wide fundraising campaigns.

Translate institutional goals into actionable, data-driven fundraising, and donor engagement plans.

Work with university and college leadership to identify and align institutional funding priorities with the interests of major donors and prospects.

Manage a personal portfolio of high-capacity prospects and donors, focusing on cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major, principal, and planned gifts.

Build and guide a team of development staff, setting ambitious and achievable fundraising goals and metrics.

Provide leadership in developing planned giving strategies, including assisting colleges in actively securing planned gift commitments.

Oversee a robust stewardship and prospect research programs to build and manage a comprehensive donor pipeline.

Represent University Advancement at public functions, donor events, and other key gatherings to promote the CUNY advancement mission.

Develop and manage advancement operations, services, and protocols that support university-wide philanthropy.

Champion best practices in gift administration and prospect management; ensure consistent application of advancement policies.

Partner with colleagues to ensure data integrity, reporting, and systems optimization.

Lead, mentor, and motivate advancement staff, fostering a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Manage and provide input into the departmental budget for fundraising and engagement initiatives.

Perform other special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.

Note:

Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum:

• This position is in CUNY's Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree or other advanced degree.

• 12 years of progressively responsible fundraising and managerial experience, preferably within a higher education environment.

• Demonstrated success in personally soliciting and closing major and principal gifts.

• Proven experience in campaign planning, execution, and management.

• Experience in recruiting, training, leading, and evaluating fundraising staff.

• Extensive knowledge of fundraising databases.

• Willingness and ability to travel for donor meetings and events.

• COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• The salary range is $220,000 - $265,200, commensurate with credentials, education, and experience.

• CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.