Director of Advancement

The Director of Advancement is a high-impact leadership role reporting directly to the Vice President for College Relations and a part of the leadership team within College Relations. This position is responsible for the strategic vision and operational execution of a holistic engagement and fundraising ecosystem. The Director will lead the efforts to inform and engage Union College’s global network of alumni and parents, transforming meaningful connection into sustained philanthropic support.
By bridging the gap between institutional advancement and constituent relations, the Director will oversee the Alumni and Parent Engagement and the Annual Fund office to ensure a seamless donor journey. This leader must be a sophisticated communicator and strategist, capable of navigating complex institutional priorities while fostering an entrepreneurial culture that drives revenue growth and deepens the sense of belonging within the Union community.

Director of Advancement

Pay Status and Classification: Exempt, Regular Full-time. This position is not eligible for relocation assistance or visa sponsorship.

Supervisor: Vice President for College Relations

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

• Act as a key advisor to the Vice President for College Relations, aligning annual giving and engagement goals with the College’s broader strategic priorities.

• Develop and execute an annual strategic plan that synchronizes alumni and parent programming with fundraising appeals to maximize both participation and total dollars raised.

• Prepare and present comprehensive progress reports to the Board of Trustees and external stakeholders, providing data-driven insights on engagement health and fundraising trends.

• Lead the strategy for informing the community on college initiatives, ensuring alumni and parents are educated on Union’s mission, academic excellence, and future vision.

• Manage the Alumni and Parent Engagement office to deliver high-quality events and volunteer opportunities that move constituents through the engagement lifecycle.

• Design specific outreach and engagement tracks for parents, ensuring they are recognized as primary stakeholders in the College's success, regardless of their alumni status.

• Drive institutional synergy by partnering with Admissions, Athletics, the Career Center and Academic Departments to integrate alumni and parent involvement into student recruitment, career mentorship, and department-specific philanthropic initiatives. 

• Demonstrated success in managing and optimizing volunteer structures, including alumni and parent boards or committees.

• Optimize the structure of alumni and parent boards/committees, leveraging these advocates to expand the College’s reach and influence.

• Partner with the Alumni Council to align volunteer initiatives with institutional goals, ensuring the Council serves as a primary driver of alumni connectivity and advocacy.

• Oversee the Annual Fund, implementing innovative strategies for unrestricted and restricted giving, and leadership-level annual gifts.

• Collaboratively build a robust pipeline of major gift prospects by identifying high-potential donors within the alumni and parent cohorts.

Qualifications:

• 7–10 years of progressive experience in non-profit fundraising or higher education advancement, with a proven track record of managing annual funds and large-scale engagement programs.

• Exceptional team leadership skills, including a history of hiring, coaching, and developing staff to meet ambitious performance metrics.

• A sophisticated "entrepreneurial spirit" with the ability to build, steward, and leverage a personal portfolio of high-level donors and stakeholders.

• Proven ability to work effectively across diverse departments (Athletics, Admissions, Faculty) to achieve institutional goals.

• Expert-level written and verbal communication skills; ability to serve as a primary ambassador for Union College.

• Advanced experience with CRM databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Slate) and data analytics to drive strategy and report on Key Performance Indicators.

• Superior organizational and budgeting skills, with the ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.

• A high level of professionalism and the ability to navigate sensitive institutional issues with discretion and accountability.

Compensation:

The annual salary range for this position is $140,000-$150,000. Except for roles with a set rate of pay, the wage/salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The stated hiring rate/range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the rate/range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Location: Schenectady, NY

We know some job seekers may not apply for career opportunities unless they meet every qualification in the position description including the preferred qualifications. We are most interested in hiring the best staff and faculty colleagues, and recognize that a successful candidate may come from a less traditional career path. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of our preferred qualifications.

We offer exceptional benefits including:

• Generous Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time
• Winter Recess Break in Addition to Paid Holidays (in accordance with policy)
• Healthcare: Medical (PPO & HDHP), Dental, and Vision Insurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)
• Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On-Campus Wellness Programs
• Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability
• Tuition Exchange

Background Checks: In accordance with our background check policy, finalists for hire will undergo a background check that includes education, employment, and criminal convictions.

E-Verify Participation: Union College participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify and your Right to Work (Derecho a Trabajar).