Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Position Details

Position Information

Budget Title
VICE PRESIDENT FOR COLLEGE RELATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT

Campus Title
Vice President for Institutional Advancement

School/Division
Institutional Advancement, Division of

Department
Institutional Advancement Office

Staff Sub-Type
Staff & Administration

Salary Level
MP1

Salary Range
High $160s to Low $180s (commensurate with qualifications)

Position Effort
Full-Time

If Part-Time, enter FTE:

Is this a temporary position?
No

If Temporary, enter End Date:

Position Summary

SUNY Cortland seeks a vice president for Institutional Advancement who will provide leadership and vision for the offices of Alumni Engagement, Communications, Development, Marketing, Foundation Financial Services, Advancement Information Services and the Cortland College Foundation. The Division of Institutional Advancement is focused on enhancing the university’s image as well as developing and building relationships with various constituencies. Its goals are to build support, market the university to external audiences including parents, alumni and benefactors, raise funds and strengthen bonds with graduates. Reporting to the president, the vice president for Institutional Advancement is a member of the President’s Cabinet, the President’s Advisory Council and serves as executive director of the Cortland College Foundation.

The Division of Institutional Advancement regularly leads many crucial projects across campus. Cortland concluded its All In: Building on Success comprehensive campaign in 2022, which exceeded its goals and raised more than $30 million. The university’s annual 24-hour fundraising event, the Cortland Challenge, received $472,595 in contributions in 2022 and has set records in total donors and the amount raised year-after-year. Alumni Engagement has led several major events in recent years, including gatherings of tens of thousands of Cortland graduates at football games at MetLife Stadium and Yankee Stadium. The office also organizes an annual summer Alumni Reunion on campus, manages yearly awards, coordinates a speaker series and site visits that connect outstanding alumni with students and publishes a biweekly e-newsletter and a biannual magazine. Communications and Marketing work on essential messaging to internal and external audiences. These offices are responsible for the university’s website, guidance on issues related to brand and image management, photography and videography, media relations, sports information and the publication of a biweekly newsletter for students, faculty and staff.

SUNY Cortland, a top public university of approximately 6,900 students located in the geographic center of New York state, prides itself on being a popular destination for students and employees alike. The university’s campus has been transformed in the last decade, with emerging academic programs, an increasingly diverse population and more than $350 million spent on construction and renovation. The campus is in the midst of a period of ongoing stability and success. Cortland continues to meet overall enrollment targets and enjoys a level of financial stability compared to many of its peers. One of 13 comprehensive universities in the State University of New York system, SUNY Cortland prides itself on rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, sciences, education and professional studies. The university has been ranked among the top in the nation on Money magazine’s “Best Colleges for Your Money” list.

For more than 150 years, SUNY Cortland has provided unmistakable value for students seeking a well-rounded academic, athletic and social experience. The university fields powerhouse Division III athletics programs, a comprehensive study abroad network through SUNY partners that allows students to travel the world and boasts an impressive network of alumni making a difference in education, business, government, fitness, medicine and many other fields.

Major Responsibilities

Responsible for the strategic planning and oversight of all fundraising initiatives including annual, major and planned giving, and capital campaigns, as well as alumni engagement, governmental affairs, community relations, and print, digital and electronic communications.

In coordination with appropriate staff and college constituents, establish goals for the Institutional Advancement departments: Alumni Engagement, Communications, Development, Marketing, Foundation Financial Services, Advancement Information Services.

Oversee the operations and activities of Institutional Advancement division and work with the heads of the division’s departments to ensure that goals and objectives are met.

Direct the development and management of the division’s annual budget.

Actively engage with and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, including personal cultivation, solicitation, closing of gifts and stewardship.

Serve as the Executive Director of the Cortland College Foundation Board and work closely with the board members, foundation staff, deans and faculty to increase private funding for a variety of academic and other campus needs.

Support the President’s advancement activities by managing the engagement of prospects for major college priorities, providing research, and conferring on strategies.

Oversee and participate in the development of proposals and applications for funding from corporations, foundations, and individuals; ensure that these are monitored from submission through action by grant maker and that appropriate stewardship and follow-up are provided.

Work with the Alumni Engagement Office staff and serve on the Alumni Association Board of Directors to support a comprehensive alumni engagement program that encompasses class and affinity reunions, young alumni programs, online communities, and regional programming and chapter events for the purposes of supporting active engagement with the university.

Manage the university’s visibility with internal and external constituents. Create an environment where opportunities for positive public relations are skillfully managed and negative attention is appropriately handled.

Represent the university in external affairs and events involving corporate and foundation representatives, trustees, alumni and friends of the university.

Ensures that print, digital and electronic institutional marketing initiatives and messages support the university’s strategic priorities.

Serve on the seven-member President’s Cabinet, the institution’s primary leadership team.

Work closely with the President, the President’s Cabinet, and the President’s Council in matters concerning formulation, review, revision and implementation of procedures and policies relating to Institutional Advancement.

Participate in institution-wide strategic planning, the identification and assessment of goals and priorities, and the execution of relevant programs, policies, and initiatives.

Provide a level of leadership that encourages staff enthusiasm, confidence, and a cooperative attitude in dealing with faculty, students, and staff.

Lead staff to embrace efficiency and competency in their respective areas.

Research ways to improve allocations of scarce funding and personnel; seek out opportunities to improve efficiency and effect cost reductions.

Ensure that the campus is kept informed about activities of Institutional Advancement departments, and that the Institutional Advancement Office is aware of activities and needs of the campus.

Attend important campus functions including, but not limited to: convocations, commencements, faculty and staff meetings and other official meetings/events as required.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships

Reports to the president of the university
Direct reports include a leadership team of an associate vice president and department leadership within the Institutional Advancement Division

Required Qualifications

Master’s degree
Demonstrated record of progressively responsible leadership and management in development related operations.
Successful record of fundraising.
Relevant supervisory/management experience in a similarly complex organization.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Proven record of successful interactions with a variety of constituents.

Preferred Qualifications

Doctoral degree.
Experience developing and managing budgets.
Experience as a senior level administrator in a higher education environment.
Successful experience working with leadership volunteer boards and major donors from corporations, foundations, alumni and friends.

EEO Statement

The State University of New York Cortland is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity/Americans with Disabilities Act (AA/ EEO / ADA ) employer. The university actively seeks applications from women, veterans, individuals with a disability, members of underrepresented groups or anyone that would enrich the diversity of the university.

Job Close Date

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
S22111

Review Start Date
04/17/2023

Open Until Filled
Yes

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting
https://jobs.cortland.edu/postings/7143

Special Instructions

Special Instructions to Applicant

Special Instructions to Applicant

Priority consideration for applications received by April 17, 2023.
Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae or Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Professional References Contact Info. ONLY (minimum of 3)

Optional Documents