Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the Empire State University Foundation - Empire State University

Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Category: Management / Confidential Posted On: Wed Dec 3 2025 Job Description:

THE OPPORTUNITY

Empire State University (SUNY Empire) seeks an innovative, experienced leader to serve as the next Vice President for Advancement (VPA) and Executive Director of the Empire State University Foundation. Reporting to the president and charged with supporting SUNY Empire's core educational mission and elevating the institution's profile, the VPA will be a forward thinking, outcomes- and data-driven leader who will propel the institution's fundraising, development, alumni engagement, communications, events, and community relations to a new level of institutional impact. The next VPA will align advancement efforts and communications strategies with the university's priorities to elevate the institution and its revenue diversification.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Serving as the institution's chief fundraising strategist with a data-informed approach to stewardship, fundraising, grant writing, alumni engagement, communications, and community engagement
• Serving as a member of the university's executive leadership team and acting as a thought partner and advisor to the president and other cabinet members

Fundraising Excellence and Donor Strategy

• Personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-level prospects, inspiring philanthropic support and ensuring the university's long-term philanthropic success
• Setting ambitious fundraising goals and executing plans to achieve those goals

Innovation, Technology and Data-Driven Decision Making

• Creating and operationalizing a metrics-driven strategy for the division in alignment with national best practices
• Leveraging new (i.e., AI) and legacy technology to drive innovation and streamline operational effectiveness and efficiency

Relationship Building & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Championing SUNY Empire through ongoing engagement with alumni, donors, and community leaders to continuously maximize the potential for revenue diversification and elevation of the university's public profile

Leadership & Management

• Leading a team of approximately 20 fundraising, communications, and events professionals
• Overseeing divisional budgets, staffing, operational and strategic planning, and performance assessment

Strategic Communications and Engagement

• Developing and executing multi-platform communications and engagement strategies, using analytics to drive content planning, segmentation, and engagement
• Designing culturally sensitive and inclusive engagement initiatives for alumni who identify as adult learners, first-gen students, veterans, and underrepresented groups

As Executive Director of the Empire State University Foundation:

• Serving as the executive director of the Empire State University Foundation, including developing strong relations with current board members, recruiting new members, and strengthening the Foundation's philanthropic mission and impact
• Stewarding the fiscal resources of the Foundation and the division through data-informed decision-making

LOCATION

SUNY Empire proudly serves 17,500 students across the state of New York and beyond. While faculty and staff live and work around the world, the administrative offices are in beautiful Saratoga Springs, New York. Picturesque tree-lined streets with rows of gracious old-style Victorian houses and restored spa areas reflect the city's colorful history. The town is highly walkable, offering access to restaurants, cafés, bookstores, and the nation's longest continuously running horse racecourse. The region boasts lakes and forests and has a rich assortment of cultural and natural offerings, including the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the beautiful Adirondacks nearby. Albany, the state's capital, is a short drive down the Northway, and New York City, Boston, and Montreal are within a 3.5-hour drive. Please visit www.Saratoga.org to learn more.

Job Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS

The Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the Empire State University Foundation shall:

• Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Advanced degree preferred.
• Have at least eight (8) years of progressive experience as an advancement, fundraising, or alumni leader, including budget oversight and management in higher education or similarly complex sectors engaged in fundraising and philanthropy
• Have five (5) years of experience leading advancement, fundraising, communications, or similar teams in managerial roles such as director or assistant vice president
• Have a demonstrated record of leading advancement teams to set and achieve ambitious fundraising goals in alignment with institutional priorities
• Have a demonstrated record of driving effective institutional communications and events in alignment with institutional mission, vision, and values
• Have a proven record of leveraging technology to drive innovation, including advancement analytics and the application of AI for fundraising, operations and communications effectiveness
• Experience working successfully within collective bargaining environments or with complex employee contracts
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills
• Demonstrated record of successfully creating and implementing culturally competent communications and engagement strategies across multiple digital platforms and/or social media channels

SPECIAL INFORMATION

• This position is located in Saratoga Springs, NY
• Travel is required
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. VISA Sponsorship is not available for this position

Additional Information:

Salary: $200,000 - $215,000

We are pleased to offer our employees an excellent benefit package which includes NYS health insurance, free dental and vision, competitive retirement options, and generous vacation, sick and holiday accruals; and a strong emphasis on work-life balance. We also offer professional development activities for professionals and support staff.

SUNY Empire is an 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. SUNY Empire is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction. Employees, students, applicants, or other members of the university community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

SUNY Empire provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, veterans, or wounded warriors where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (518) 587-2100.

In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act, a copy of our crime statistics is available upon request by calling (518) 587-2100. It can also be viewed online at our Safety and Security website: www.sunyempire.edu/safety-security/.