Associate Vice President for Individual Giving

Accountabilities:

• Provide vision, direction, and oversight for Colgate's individual giving program to advance campaign goals and long-term philanthropic growth.
• Serve as a key member of the Advancement leadership team and advisor to the Vice President on individual giving strategy.
• Lead integration and alignment across major gifts, leadership gifts, prospect management, and athletic fundraising.
• Supervise a dynamic team of fundraising professionals and provide mentorship, clear direction, and performance management.
• Promote a culture of high expectations, accountability, continuous learning, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Ensure team efforts are well-coordinated with annual giving, planned giving, alumni engagement, donor relations, and advancement operations.
• Develop and implement strategies for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors with capacity for five- to seven-figure gifts.
• Personally manage a portfolio of prospects and donors.
• Oversee the preparation of tailored, compelling gift proposals and communications that reflect institutional priorities.
• Direct the prospect management and research team to build and maintain a robust pipeline of qualified prospects.
• Guide the use of data, analytics, and performance metrics to inform decisions and strengthen fundraising strategy and outcomes.
• Work closely with senior administrators, faculty, coaches, and campus partners to develop funding opportunities and donor engagement strategies.
• Collaborate with Colgate's athletic department to advance philanthropic goals for varsity sports.

Professional Experience/Qualifications:

• At least 10 years of progressive fundraising experience with demonstrated success in individual and campaign fundraising, ideally in higher education.
• Proven record of managing and mentoring fundraising teams to exceed ambitious goals.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and inspire across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and a commitment to data-informed decision-making.
• Experience with advancement related CRMs is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Familiarity with Raiser's Edge NXT is a plus.

Education:

A Bachelor's degree is required.

EEO Statement:

The 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.

About Colgate University:

Colgate University is a highly selective residential liberal arts institution distinguished by academic excellence and interdisciplinary inquiry. Located on a beautiful campus in upstate New York, Colgate takes pride in the active engagement of its students and faculty in local, national, and global communities.