Assistant Director of Individual Giving and Regional Advancement

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students across its nine colleges and schools. The University has campuses in the Bronx, Manhattan, West Harrison, N.Y., Armonk, N.Y., and London, United Kingdom.

About the role

Reporting to the Senior Director of Individual Giving & Regional Advancement, the Assistant Director of Individual Giving and Regional Advancement helps grow Fordham’s giving program, supporting nearly all schools, centers, and units across the University. This role focuses on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing gift commitments in the $5,000+ range; retaining and increasing giving from existing donors; and expanding support from President’s Club and Doty Society donors. Operating within a dedicated geographic region, the Assistant Director balances frontline relationship-building with data-driven strategy to build a robust pipeline of local support. Travel and evening/weekend work are required.

Responsibilities

• Builds and maintains a personal portfolio of approximately 150 annual giving alumni, parent, and friend prospects, applying the principle of cura personalis (care for the whole person) to foster genuine, long-term relationships.
• Devises individual engagement strategies for each prospect, utilizing reflective discernment to tailor approaches.
• Solicits annual gifts and/or multi-year commitments at the $5,000+ level, with specific goals determined through an annual process.
• Conducts initial outreach and discovery to qualify unmanaged prospects, securing visits and facilitating introductions to colleagues for major gift cultivation.
• Performs data work to track, segment, and surface high-potential prospects within the database, optimizing regional outreach.
• Leads outreach, trip scheduling, and tracking to ensure efficient, data-driven travel itineraries within the designated region.
• Identifies and recruits potential volunteers for The President’s Club, the Doty Society, and reunions, fostering a sense of belonging and connection to Fordham.
• Prepares materials for prospect solicitation, including prospect lists, meeting briefings, and proposals, translating institutional needs into compelling narratives.
• Utilizes CRM (Advance) and Fundraising Performance Management systems to record moves, asks, and outcomes, including contact reports, ratings, staffing changes, proposals, and gift commitments.
• Collaborates with colleagues across the Development and University Relations division to coordinate fundraising strategies and support university-wide events.
• Becomes familiar with planned giving tenets and identifies opportunities where such vehicles align with prospects’ circumstances.
• Provides administrative and budget support, tracking and analyzing expenses to steward University resources effectively.
• Responds to special projects supporting development objectives, particularly for Reunion year classes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in development, business, sales, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in solicitation efforts, balancing ambitious goals with a person-centered approach.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with confidence in engaging and building trust with diverse constituencies.
• Highly organized, capable of managing multiple tasks under deadlines while pursuing excellence (magis).
• Excellent communication skills and a commitment to an inclusive work environment.
• Experience working effectively in complex settings and developing impactful relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership.
• Creative, solution-oriented mindset with strong analytical skills and professional judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, developing productive relationships with alumni, donors, faculty, parents, volunteers, and senior leadership.
• Plus Delta Certification.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, MS Office, and data management.
• Valid driver’s license.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Retirement plans.
• Life insurance and short/long-term disability coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Tuition remission.
• Generous time off.

Pay

Starting salary range: $75,000 – $80,000, commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills.

Schedule

• 35 scheduled hours per week.
• Hybrid work arrangement (review the Hybrid Policy).