Assistant Vice President for Major Gifts and Strategic Initiatives

Assistant Vice President for Major Gifts and Strategic Initiatives Bookmark this Posting Print Preview | Apply for this Job

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Applicants are required to upload a cover letter and a resume. In addition, applicants will need to supply contact information (email address and phone number) for three professional references, one of which must be supervisory. References will be contacted at the time of invitation to campus interviews.

In your cover letter, please speak to your experience and how it relates to the qualifications, and provide examples of how you have advanced equity-minded practices and inclusive excellence throughout your work. Ideally cover letters should not exceed three pages.

To be guaranteed consideration, applications must be completed by October 23, 2026

Vacancy Announcement

Position Information

Campus Title Assistant Vice President for Major Gifts and Strategic Initiatives

Department College Advancement

Position Summary

The Assistant Vice President for Major Gifts and Strategic Initiatives ( AVP ) reports to the Vice President for College Advancement ( VPCA ) and is responsible for leading, managing, and directing the efforts of the college’s major gift officers. The AVP maintains a personal portfolio of major gift prospects and leads strategic initiatives in partnership with the VPCA .

The position ensures the successful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of financial contributions from alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations. The AVP serves as a member of the Vice President’s senior management team and works closely with the College Advancement departments of alumni engagement and annual giving, and advancement services, ensuring effective collaboration and the implementation of current best practices.

The AVP maintains and strengthens connections with all members of the Geneseo community to create and facilitate a successful and enduring culture of philanthropy for Geneseo. The position also plays a central role in working in partnership with the VPCA to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with Geneseo’s volunteer leaders in support of the college’s philanthropic goals and priorities.

This position is designated as Management Confidential and serves at the pleasure of the President. It is not eligible for permanent appointment, nor is it represented by a collective bargaining unit. A full range of benefits (https://www.geneseo.edu/hr/benefits/) are available.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree

• Progressively responsible experience in higher education fundraising, including at least four years of direct experience supervising, mentoring, developing, and managing the performance of a major gifts team.

• Demonstrated experience personally securing major and/or planned gifts of at least six figures.

• Proven strategic leadership and business acumen, including the ability to collaborate with senior leadership to align divisional goals with institutional objectives and drive successful outcomes.

• Demonstrated excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including active listening, emotional intelligence, and public speaking, with the ability to effectively foster effective relationships with internal and external constituents.

• Exceptional integrity, mature judgment, and ability to maintain confidentiality with constituent information.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

• Willingness and ability to travel as needed.

• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

• Candidates for this position must be eligible to work in the United States. VISA sponsorship is not offered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree

• Progressively responsible experience in higher education fundraising, including seven or more years of direct experience supervising, mentoring, developing, and managing the performance of a major gifts team.

License/Certification

Other Skills Required

Supervision Received

Reports to the Vice President for College Advancement.

Supervision Exercised

Oversees the major and planned gifts staff as well as volunteers.

Posting Details

Posting Details

Posting Number S463

Number of Vacancies 1

Line # to be filled 00014

Full or Part-time Full-Time

Appointment Type Administrative

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

Job Posting Date 10/01/2026

Apply By 10/23/2026

Job Posting Closed Date

Open Until Filled No

Salary $125,000 - $135,000

Special Instructions to Applicant

Applicants are required to upload a cover letter and a resume. In addition, applicants will need to supply contact information (email address and phone number) for three professional references, one of which must be supervisory. References will be contacted at the time of invitation to campus interviews.

In your cover letter, please speak to your experience and how it relates to the qualifications, and provide examples of how you have advanced equity-minded practices and inclusive excellence throughout your work. Ideally cover letters should not exceed three pages.

To be guaranteed consideration, applications must be completed by October 23, 2026

About SUNY Geneseo

Mission Statement

We are a distinctive public liberal arts college that welcomes and inspires students to develop their knowledge and skills to build a better world. Our supportive, inclusive community is exceptional in cultivating creativity, engagement, and discovery. We find strength in diversity, joy in growth, and fulfillment in lifelong learning.

Vision

We will cultivate a distinctive, equity-centered, public honors college experience that propels learners to positively impact society.

Values

The Geneseo campus community is guided by our beliefs in and commitments to the following values:

• Learning: Embracing high expectations for intellectual inquiry, critical thinking, scholarly exploration, and personal growth.

• Creativity: Empowering a spirit of innovation that inspires intellectual curiosity, self-expression, and problem-solving.

• Belonging: Welcoming a diverse campus community that supports and celebrates

different identities, promotes equity and inclusion, and respects the ideas and

contributions of each individual.

• Civic Engagement: Encouraging active participation grounded in self-reflection,

empathy, and an ethical commitment to the common good of our local and global

communities.

• Sustainability: Building a culture of well-being that integrates and applies principles of

environmental, social, and economic stewardship informed by an understanding of the

past and our obligations to the future.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

SUNY Geneseo is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding students, faculty, staff, and administration. We recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all positions and ensure that all other personnel actions are conducted without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

Applicants, students, employees, and other members of the College community (including vendors, visitors, and guests) are protected from illegal forms of harassment or retaliation based upon a protected characteristic.

To request accommodation or assistance for job-related duties or the employment application process, please contact the Office of Diversity and Equity at (585) 245-5020 or email [email protected] ([email protected]%[email protected]%3E) . Find out more about our Community Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E28zJDeYTU)

Background Investigation Statement

All applicants are subject to drug and criminal background checks. See our full Background Investigation Statement at http://www.geneseo.edu/hr/employment.

Clery Statement

Applicants interested in positions may access the Annual Security Report( ASR ) for the College at www.geneseo.edu/police. The ASR contains information on campus security policies and certain campus crime statistics. Crime statistics are reported in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. Applicants may request a hard copy of the ASR by contacting the SUNY Geneseo University Police Department at 585-245-5651.

Quick Link for Postings https://jobs.geneseo.edu/postings/5627

Job Duties/Responsibilities

Job Duties/Responsibilities

Percentage Of Time 45%

Job Duty/ Responsibility

Function 1 – Major and Planned Gift Fundraising

• Serve as a senior fundraiser for major and planned gifts. Manage a portfolio of approximately 125–150 major gift donors and prospects, communicate regularly and effectively with donors and prospects, and cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships to secure major and planned gifts in accordance with established priorities and fundraising goals.

Percentage Of Time 25%

Job Duty/ Responsibility

Function 2 – Major Gifts Program Leadership

• Plan, direct, manage, and evaluate all activities of the major gifts program. Develop and implement an annual operating plan aligned with the Advancement Division’s and College’s strategic plans, including the articulation of goals, objectives, and individual fundraising metrics. Coordinate monthly and quarterly program activities and provide regular reports documenting progress toward established goals.

Percentage Of Time 20%

Job Duty/ Responsibility

Function 3 – Advancement Leadership and Institutional Engagement

• Work closely with the Vice President for College Advancement and senior leadership to execute the goals and priorities of the Advancement Division. Provide strategic and operational support to the Vice President for College Advancement as directed. Represent Geneseo at divisional, campus, alumni, donor, and other institutional functions and special events.

Percentage Of Time 5%

Job Duty/ Responsibility

Function 4 – Budget and Policy Administration

• Manage and oversee the major gifts program budget, including fiscal reporting responsibilities as directed by the Vice President for College Advancement. Ensure adherence to Geneseo Foundation, College, and Advancement Division policies and procedures.

Percentage Of Time 5%

Job Duty/ Responsibility

Function 5 – Professional Development and Advancement Engagement

• Maintain familiarity with important issues related to higher education, public policy, philanthropy, and institutional advancement. Stay current with developments and best practices in institutional advancement through participation in workshops, seminars, conferences, and other professional development activities. Participate in campus advisory councils and other activities that build and maintain strong relationships with alumni and other institutional constituents.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Will you possess a valid driver's license at the time of appointment?

• Yes

• No

• • Do you have a Bachelor's Degree?

• Yes

• No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents