Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving

OverviewReporting to the vice president for advancement, the Associate Vice President (AVP) for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving provides strategic vision, leadership, and direction to deepen alumni connections and strengthen their lifelong relationship with the University. The AVP oversees Colgate's annual giving program, which raises more than $16 million annually in current use support—including more than $10 million in unrestricted support—and secures more than 12,000 alumni donors, ensuring continued philanthropic momentum in support of institutional priorities.ResponsibilitiesAdvance Colgate's mission and strategic priorities by fostering long-term, meaningful alumni engagement and philanthropic participation that align with the University's goals.Provide strategic oversight for the annual giving program, focusing on best practices in the industry, sustaining and growing alumni donor participation and unrestricted support through innovative campaigns, data-driven segmentation, and compelling messaging.Position alumni engagement and annual giving as University-wide priorities, ensuring the department serves as a central hub for strategically coordinating engagement with campus partners and solicitation efforts across all alumni populations.Build and nurture collaborative partnerships with University leadership, faculty, and key campus stakeholders to develop and implement strategic alumni engagement and giving strategies.Expand and enhance alumni volunteer leadership by identifying and engaging alumni in impactful roles both on and off campus, ensuring a diverse and robust pipeline of volunteers from those who have demonstrated interest in supporting Colgate and who hold prominence in their fields.Develop and execute a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy for Colgate with the ability to adapt initiatives based on emerging trends and evolving University priorities.Oversee and enhance alumni engagement programs that foster connections through affinity and identity-based groups, intellectual and regional initiatives, and the Colgate Professional Networks.Lead the development and implementation of marketing and communications strategies to promote alumni engagement and annual giving opportunities.Serve as the primary University liaison to the Alumni Council, including fulfilling the role of Executive Secretary.Provide leadership and oversight for the alumni engagement and annual giving teams, ensuring effective recruitment, mentorship, and professional development of staff, and foster a high-performance culture through clear expectations, strategic delegation, and timely, constructive feedback.Manage and oversee departmental budgets, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently and in alignment with University policies and priorities.Oversee Reunion Weekend, a signature annual event, and serve as a key partner in planning other signature Colgate weekends such as Homecoming and Arts, Creativity, and Innovation Weekend.Professional Experience/QualificationsMinimum of 10 years of relevant experience in higher education, including at least five years in progressive management roles overseeing alumni engagement and/or advancement.Strong familiarity and/or experience with annual giving programs, including strategy development, donor acquisition and retention, volunteer-driven fundraising, and results-oriented goal setting.Demonstrated ability to inspire, mobilize, and sustain meaningful alumni participation, in giving and/or engagement.Strong strategic and leadership skills, with a deep understanding of alumni engagement and annual giving best practices and emerging trends.Exceptional relationship-building skills, with the intellectual depth, confidence, and credibility to engage effectively with alumni, faculty, University leadership, and key stakeholders.Strong collaboration and communication skills, with a track record of working effectively across academic and administrative teams.A data-driven mindset, with the ability to leverage metrics, analytics, and assessment tools to measure engagement and fundraising effectiveness, optimize resources, and manage budgets.Adaptability and willingness to travel extensively, maintaining strong connections with alumni nationwide and beyond.A collaborative, collegial, and high-integrity leadership style, with a strong work ethic and sound judgment.Deep appreciation for Colgate University's history, mission, and achievements, with the ability to effectively articulate its impact to a diverse audience.A strong desire to engage fully with both the University and the local community.Preferred QualificationsDirect management experience in alumni engagement and/or annual giving within a higher education setting.Proven ability to assess, refine, and elevate engagement and giving programs within a complex institutional environment.Experience developing integrated strategies that align alumni engagement and annual giving with broader institutional goals and campaign priorities.EducationA Bachelor's degree is required.EEO StatementThe University recognizes that equal employment opportunity can only be achieved through demonstrated leadership. It is the Policy of the University to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and train employees on the basis of merit, ability, and valid job qualifications without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr