Executive Director of the Foundation and Chief Advancement Officer (EDCAO)

Location: Herkimer, NY Category: Administrative Job Type: Full-time Posted On: Mon Aug 31 2026 Job Description:

Reports To: College President with a dotted line to the Foundation Board President

Supervises: To be determined as the development program retools and ramps up

Basic Function: The EDCAO provides strategic and operational leadership to increase philanthropic support for the College. The EDCAO leads all advancement functions, including major and principal gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, alumni engagement, donor stewardship, endowment growth, and campaign management.

As a member of the President's Cabinet, the EDCAO aligns fundraising strategy with the College's strategic plan, enrollment objectives, academic priorities, workforce initiatives, and capital needs. The EDCAO ensures that the Foundation operates in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, fiduciary standards, audit requirements, college policies, and nonprofit governance best practices.

The EDCAO serves as primary liaison between College administration and the Foundation Board of Directors, providing strategic counsel to support effective governance and fundraising performance.

Major Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, data-informed advancement strategy aligned with institutional priorities and measurable fundraising targets.

• Lead multi-year fundraising initiatives, including comprehensive capital campaigns.

• Establish and monitor performance metrics and reporting tools to assess fundraising outcomes.

• Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Build and sustain relationships with individuals, corporations, foundations, and community partners to increase philanthropic investment.

• Advance planned giving and endowment strategies to support long-term financial sustainability.

• Partner with the Foundation Board President to strengthen governance, engagement, and fundraising accountability.

• Prepare Foundation Board agendas, materials, and performance reports.

• Oversee Foundation operations, including financial management, gift administration, endowment oversight, investment coordination, and internal controls.

• Ensure compliance with the Internal Revenue Code, New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Law, donor intent standards, and audit requirements.

• Lead a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy to promote lifelong connection and philanthropic participation.

Job Requirements:

• Expertise in charitable gift planning, donor intent compliance, and ethical fundraising standards.

• Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing major and principal gifts.

• Strategic fundraising and campaign planning experience, including pipeline development and revenue forecasting.

• Knowledge of nonprofit governance, fiduciary obligations, and board engagement practices.

• Experience with advancement CRM systems, donor analytics, and prospect research tools.

• Ability to translate institutional priorities into compelling cases for support.

• Executive-level written and oral communication skills.

• Strong relationship-building skills with donors, trustees, business leaders, public officials, and community stakeholders.

• Capacity to manage multiple high-level initiatives and meet measurable goals.

• High degree of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality.

Minimum Experience and Educational Background:

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, business administration, or a related field.

• Seven years of progressive experience in advancement, development, or nonprofit leadership, including major gift and campaign leadership.

• Demonstrated success securing major gifts, building endowment, managing complex fundraising initiatives, and working with governing boards.

• Strong financial literacy, strategic planning capability, and data fluency.

• Exceptional communication skills and high ethical standards.

Preferred Experience and Educational Background:

• Master's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, business administration, higher education leadership, or a related field.

• Advancement experience in higher education.

• Certified Fundraising Executive credential or comparable certification.

• Experience collaborating with multiple governing boards.

• Experience aligning advancement strategy with enrollment growth, workforce development, and academic priorities.

• Established professional network within the Mohawk Valley philanthropic, corporate, or civic community.

Additional Information:

Salary Range: $100,000 - $130,000