Development Director (HEO)
POSITION DETAILS
As a leading online school in New York since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule. As CUNY SPS moves beyond its 20th year, we dedicate ourselves to engendering an innovative and transformative student-centered experience.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, the Development Director provides strategic and operational leadership for fundraising operations, donor stewardship support, alumni engagement, and advancement planning in support of the School’s fundraising and alumni relations priorities. As a senior leader within the Office of Development and Alumni Relations (ODAR), the Development Director plays a key role in advancing fundraising performance and strengthening operational infrastructure to support donor cultivation, stewardship, alumni engagement, and long-term institutional growth. Success in this role will be measured, in part, by the ability to support and advance fundraising outcomes, operational effectiveness, and alumni engagement goals.
The Development Director serves as the operational lead in the absence of the Executive Director, providing leadership, coordination, supervision, and decision-making authority to ensure continuity of advancement operations and fundraising efforts.
In addition to the CUNY Title Overview, the Development Director:
- Partners with the Executive Director to implement annual fundraising strategy, annual advancement priorities, donor stewardship initiatives, and performance goals.
- Contributes to fundraising activities, donor cultivation and stewardship efforts, prospect strategy discussions, and initiatives designed to strengthen philanthropic support and alumni engagement.
- Oversees daily development operations, ensuring efficient, compliant, and effective advancement infrastructure, workflows and gift administration practices.
- Directs development operations staff and oversees CRM governance, gift processing, reporting, stewardship tracking, financial documentation, and related operational functions.
- Ensures integrity, optimization, and strategic use of Raiser's Edge and related development systems to support fundraising and engagement objectives.
- Develops and monitors fundraising performance dashboards and reporting tools for leadership and Foundation stakeholders.
- Establishes and refines policies, procedures, and internal controls to support accountability, compliance, operational effectiveness, and long-term scalability.
- Prepares briefing materials, performance analyses, and strategic recommendations for senior leadership and represents ODAR in cross-functional and institutional initiatives.
- Leads events management for ODAR, including oversight of planning, logistics, budgeting, and coordination of alumni, donor, stewardship, and fundraising events.
- Oversees core alumni engagement and communications efforts, including targeted outreach, newsletters, volunteer engagement, participation tracking, and related initiatives aligned with fundraising priorities.
- Serves as liaison for Foundation coordination activities and university-wide alumni relations initiatives, as appropriate.
- Provides supervision, coaching, performance management, and professional development support to assigned staff while fostering a collaborative, accountable, and result-oriented team culture.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
NOTE: Until further notice, work will be performed in a hybrid manner with 70% onsite presence.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
Bachelor’s degree and eight years’ related progressively responsible experience in development, advancement, fundraising operations, or a closely related leadership field, including at least five years of experience supervising professional staff and managing performance, workflow, priorities, and accountability. Experience must include oversight of fundraising operations and related business processes, such as CRM governance, gift administration, reporting, compliance, and data integrity, with demonstrated ability to translate strategic priorities into operational execution and measurable outcomes.
Preferred
- Advanced degree or relevant professional fundraising certification.
- Experience in higher education advancement or a complex nonprofit environment.
- Experience contributing to advancement strategy development and institutional fundraising planning.
- Experience working with boards, advisory groups, or senior leadership stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of reports and leadership briefings.
- Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across internal and external stakeholders.
- Proficiency with Raiser's Edge Database view or comparable fundraising CRM systems.
- High level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to confidentiality.
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