Executive Director of Institutional Advancement & External Relations

Position Summary

SUNY Ulster County Community College, a two-year branch of the State University of New York located ninety miles north of New York City in the Catskill Mountains, is currently accepting applications for an Executive Director of Institutional Advancement & External Relations.

Key Responsibilities

• The Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc., Executive Director is responsible for the overall planning, management, coordination, and evaluation of activities that will attract important philanthropic support for the College. These activities include developing and implementing effective strategies and tactics that result in sustainable growth in annual giving and planned gifts, capturing the philanthropic interest of donors, and increasing corporate support.

• This position maintains a close and collaborative working relationship with the Board of Directors of the Foundation, the President, Vice Presidents, and Deans. Specific activities include identifying, cultivating and soliciting major gifts; proactively building and maintaining relationships with new, current, and potential donors; and leading and managing staff to achieve all fundraising initiatives, including donor recognition, special campaigns, and events.

• The Executive Director oversees the College’s scholarship program and a planned giving program and provides opportunities to potential donors that maximize donor intent as it relates to institutional objectives. They oversee gift processing, acknowledgement, and stewardship as well as fiscal and accounting policies and procedures, and ensures compliance with all regulatory oversight requirements.

• This position is a key team member and collaborator with the College’s Marketing Team on public and media relations strategic planning, including, but not limited to, communications strategy, planning, messaging, media outreach and story placement. Specific activities include developing and maintaining strong working relationships with key regional, local, and industry trade news media and leading and overseeing all aspects of media relations, including story development, media targeting, relationship management, and securing media opportunities to share the work of the Foundation and College.

• The Executive Director develops, implements and evaluates programs to engage the institution’s alumni and to encourage increased alumni support of and involvement with College programs. This includes oversight of the development and implementation of an alumni strategic plan and robust alumni relations programs, events and recognition ceremonies. The Executive Director oversees the coordination of alumni communications and publications related to fundraising and alumni relations activities in collaboration with colleagues. These communications include newsletters, social media, targeted emails, and other outreach as needed.

• In addition, the Executive Director plans and administers the budget of Institutional Advancement to ensure operation within fiscal constraints. The Executive Director works strategically, as well as tactically, to achieve desired results. The incumbent must be media savvy, an excellent writer and experienced in executing media and social media campaigns. They have a track record of media success and measuring results.

Skills, Characteristics, Qualities

• Superb written and oral communication skills;

• Comfortable presenting in large, small and diverse groups;

• Excellent motivational skills;

• An engaging manner;

• Strong leadership skills to inspire and motivate colleagues and volunteers;

• The ability to develop trust and build strong collaborative working relationships;

• A proven track record of success in cultivating, soliciting, and securing funding;

• A proven ability in managing communications functions;

• A communication style that is open, cordial and issues focused;

• Experience in goal setting and team building;

• Experience utilizing technology to further the philanthropic goals of the organization.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 5 years related experience required. Preference will be given to individuals with experience in a community college or other higher education setting.

• A strong commitment to the community college goals and objectives of providing quality courses for culturally, socio-economically, ethnically, and academically diverse students and students with disabilities.

• A personality to work effectively and with sensitivity in a multicultural environment with an awareness of, and commitment to, the needs of non-traditional and/or re-entry students having diverse backgrounds and abilities, as well as, a wide range of skills and goals.

• Ability to work cooperatively in a productive team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree preferred with 8-10 years in institutional advancement, public relations and public communications or related disciplines.

• Experience as a senior development professional with a record of progressive accomplishment in the operational management and support of a development organization; experience in staff development;

• A broad background in annual giving/alumni relations and development services with a NFP with multiple stakeholders; experience identifying and cultivating planned giving opportunities are desirable.