Reporting to the Executive Director of Major Gifts, the primary responsibilities for the Senior Associate Director include developing long term philanthropic relationships with an assigned group of approximately 100+ prospects and donors, most of whom are alumni, friends, and family or parents of current Skidmore students; soliciting gifts, with emphasis on those sized $100,000 and higher; setting fundraising plans to address College priorities; and recruiting and staffing fundraising volunteers. The Sr. Associate Director will work with the Research Department to identify new prospects, oversee ask amounts for annual and non-annual gifts for their assignments, and will be responsible for setting up individual stewardship plans for their donors. These responsibilities entail not only working with the Advancement staff but also with volunteers and administrators and faculty across campus.

This position is eligible for a HYBRID or REMOTE work arrangement.  Travel to Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, for meetings and other events will be required as necessary.

The Senior Associate Director position requires these added responsibilities/traits:

-- managing the College’s philanthropic relationships with prospects and donors with higher levels of giving capacity and sophistication;

-- serving as the lead organizer for fundraising planning and efforts for one or more of the College’s key funding priorities;

-- have a proven track-record of success securing six-figure gifts at Skidmore or for other institutions;

-- be an effective partner to senior administrators and leadership-level volunteers and be viewed by junior staff as a mentor;

-- experience and success in navigating complex organizations to bring others along and achieve results.

Job Duties:

• Maintain and execute appropriate strategies, from identification to stewardship, for each prospect/donor in assigned portfolio of 100+ major gift prospects to assist in raising approximately $25M per year.
• Conduct asks of $100,000+ to assist Advancement in reaching revenue goal.
• Plan and execute extensive travel to build and maintain philanthropic relationships with constituents.  Conduct effective meetings either in-person or virtually with prospects/donors.
• Record prospect/donor interaction and strategy in database effectively. Demonstrate the ability to pull reports and manipulate data.
• Facilitate interactions between prospects/donors and key administrators, faculty, and volunteers.
• Relay key information between Skidmore and constituents.  
• Collaborate with fellow Advancement staff, especially as their work pertains to prospect management, cultivation, stewardship, and strategy related to major gifts.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individual, group and initiative-based fundraising plans/activities.
• Manage support staff and volunteers.
• Serve on Advancement-related projects as needed/assigned.
• Interact with broad array of prospects and donors and assess their capacity and inclination to give.
• Understand all aspects of the Skidmore Fund and the prospect management system.
• Analyze and establish goals and strategize on donor engagement process.
• Successful database management and utilization.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Experience: Requires a minimum of seven years of experience in major gift fundraising

• Fundraising (major gift and annual fund expertise with experience in facilities fundraising and working knowledge of planned giving), strong interpersonal and volunteer management skills, public speaking and writing, management (both time and human), judgment and decision making, and strong computer skills.
• This position requires a professional whose background is characterized by initiative, leadership, creative energy, refined organizational skills, and proven expertise as a fundraiser.  The Senior Associate Director must be a superb communicator -- both written and oral -- who builds strong relationships and works well with varied constituents, including alumni, parents, friends, trustees, and staff.  The Senior Associate Director must appreciate the important traditions of higher education and be able to articulate the mission and needs of the College. They must be able to make independent decisions, manage projects, work productively with colleagues and independent-minded volunteers, and inspire confidence among associates.  Discretion and ability to maintain confidential material is a must.
• Interact with senior Advancement staff and work collaboratively with Skidmore Fund staff and volunteers.  Must be able to effectively communicate importance of alumni, parent and family giving and explain the complexities within the context of the overall Advancement effort.
• Develop strong ties with other immediate members of the Advancement staff including the Director and other Sr. and Associate Directors of Major Gifts and the Research staff.  Must work effectively with support staff members who share responsibilities with other offices.

Required documents needed to apply:

• On-line application
• Cover Letter
• Resume
• List of Three References

Pay Range:  Commensurate with experience

EEO STATEMENT

Skidmore College is committed to being an inclusive campus community and, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, familial status, dating violence, or stalking, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Employment at Skidmore College is contingent upon an acceptable background check result.

CREATIVE THOUGHT MATTERS.