Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Strategic Initiatives

POSITION DETAILS

York College, founded in 1966, is a center of academic excellence in the heart of Jamaica, Queens. One of the eleven senior colleges in the City University of New York, the college?s mission is to enrich students' lives by fostering an environment where they?ll grow into passionate and engaged learners.

York?s academic programs are housed in three schools: The School of Arts & Sciences, The School of Business and Information Systems, and The School of Health Sciences and Professional Studies.

Over sixty baccalaureate programs from across a variety of disciplines, including accounting, aviation management, business, computer science, journalism, social work, teacher education, a dual BS/MS degree in Occupational Therapy, and one of the top-ranked nursing programs in New York State, provide students with opportunities to study liberal arts, sciences, and professional programs. The college also offers six graduate programs: Aviation Management, Clinical Trials Management, Pharmaceutical Science and Business, Physician Assistant, and Social Work and Nursing Education.

Located in Queens, the most ethnically diverse county in New York State, the college enrolls 6,400 students. Nine out of ten students are members of a racial/ethnic minority group, and more than half of undergraduates are the first in their families to pursue higher education.

The 50-acre campus encompasses seven buildings, including science and computer labs, music and television studios, a Performing Arts Center, and a Physical Education Center. It recently completed several major construction projects, with more scheduled for the future. In addition, its neighborhood is at the center of a renaissance fueled by economic revitalization.

York College is committed to fostering integrity, diversity, intellectual discovery, and civic engagement to benefit its students, the community, and the world.

The Vice President serves as a senior executive leader and member of the President?s Cabinet, providing strategic vision, leadership, and operational oversight for institutional advancement, strategic initiatives and external partnerships. This integrated role aligns resource development, community impact, and student success initiatives to advance York College?s mission and strategic priorities.

Given the College?s commitment to innovation and fiscal stewardship, this position consolidates leadership of fundraising and partnership development functions to maximize impact, diversify revenue streams.

The Vice President will serve as a key advisor to the President on external relations, philanthropy, and community engagement; lead the development and execution of an integrated strategy that aligns advancement, partnerships, and college/university initiatives with institutional priorities; and collaborate with Cabinet and college constituencies.

Institutional Advancement & Fundraising

• Provide vision and leadership for a comprehensive advancement program, including major gifts, annual giving, capital campaigns, corporate and foundation relations, and planned giving.
• Partner with the President, and Foundation Board to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and philanthropic investments.
• Oversee advancement operations, including budgeting, donor relations, stewardship, and reporting processes.
• Identify and secure alternative funding sources such as grants, contracts, and partnerships to support institutional priorities.
• Ensure alignment of fundraising priorities with academic programs, student success initiatives, and strategic goals.

Strategic Initiatives

• Leads strategic planning and management of college/university-wide programs and initiatives.
• Serves as the strategic partner with a cross section of constituents on critical initiatives or projects.
• Assists stakeholders in driving projects through to completion.
• In partnership with the president cultivate and sustain partnerships with corporate, government, nonprofit, and community stakeholders to expand resources and opportunities.
• Expand regional, national, and global partnerships
• Represent the College with key external constituencies and maintain a strong public presence to elevate institutional visibility and impact.

Community Engagement

• Lead community engagement strategies that strengthen York College?s role as an anchor institution.
• Advance initiatives that promote partnerships

Marketing, Communications & Institutional Visibility

• Collaborate with communications and marketing teams to enhance the College?s brand, reputation, and enrollment outcomes.
• Support messaging related to fundraising, college/community partnerships, and institutional impact.

Leadership & Operations

• Lead and develop high-performing teams across institutional advancement, strategic initiatives and partnership functions.
• Oversee budgets, staffing, operations, and compliance across all areas of responsibility.
• Ensure data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement across programs and initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position is in CUNY's Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience. Advanced degree preferred.

• Master?s degree preferred; doctorate or terminal degree preferred.
• Experience within a public university system or urban-serving institution.
• Experience working with boards, foundations, and government entities.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressively responsible senior leadership experience in higher education, nonprofit, government, or a related sector.
• Proven experience in and demonstrated success in fundraising and institutional advancement, including major gifts and campaign leadership.
• Track record of building and sustaining strategic partnerships across corporate, government, and community sectors.
• Strong understanding of higher education/ philanthropic trends, especially in urban and diverse communities.
• Experience managing complex organizations, budgets, and working collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and strategic planning skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, access, and student success.