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Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving

Colgate University
paid time off
United States, New York, Hamilton
Aug 28, 2025
Posting Details
Position Information












Job Category Professional/Administrative
Position Title Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving
Full Time/Part Time Full Time
Division Office of Advancement
Department Alumni Engagement
Hiring Wage/Salary Range $140,000 - $170,000
Professional Experience/ Qualifications

  • Minimum 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, 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 Qualifications

  • Direct 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.

Education
A Bachelor's degree is required.
Certifications
Offer Determination
When extending an offer, Colgate University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations.
Physical Requirements
Other Information
Benefits
Colgate University offers a competitive benefits package, with most benefits effective on the date of hire. Highlights include: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, paid family leave, health & wellness, continuing education and professional development. We also offer unique perks, such as free parking, gym discounts, bookstore savings, athletic tickets, and access to cultural and recreational facilities. Explore the full benefits package on our Benefits page.
Department Statement
The Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Givingprovides strategic leadership in fostering meaningful connections with its global alumni community and in mobilizing philanthropic support through a thriving annual giving program.
As a highly selective, residential liberal arts college, Colgate is dedicated to educating talented students for lives of leadership and service. The University has a deeply rooted culture of philanthropy and alumni engagement, with more than 56% of alumni actively participating each year through giving, volunteering, and attending both virtual and in-person programs. Signature events-such as Reunion, which welcomes more than 2,500 alumni and guests annually-exemplify the strength of Colgate's alumni network.
This enduring alumni loyalty and generosity provide a powerful foundation as the University advances its historic and comprehensive Campaign for the Third Century. With over $725 million raised toward its $1 billion goal, the campaign is a cornerstone of Colgate's Third-Century Plan, designed to propel the University into a new era of academic excellence and institutional impact.
The Associate Vice President plays a pivotal role in strengthening alumni engagement, leading the strategy and execution of the University's annual giving program, and mobilizing this passionate community in support of Colgate's bold vision for the future.
Accountabilities
Reporting to the vice president for advancement, the Associate Vice President ( AVP) for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving serves to provide strategic vision, leadership, and direction to deepen alumni connections and enhance their lifelong relationship with the University. The AVP also 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.

Key Responsibilities:
In partnership with Advancement leadership:

  • Advance 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, with a focus 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 our 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. Ensure a diverse and robust pipeline of volunteers, drawing from alumni who have demonstrated interest in supporting Colgate and hold prominence in their fields.
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy for Colgate with an 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 effectively 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. 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. Serve as a key partner in planning other signature Colgate weekends such as Homecoming and Arts, Creativity, and Innovation Weekend.

Posting Detail Information








Requisition Number 2025S070Posting
Temporary No
Work Schedule
Job Open Date 08/28/2025
Job Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions Summary
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.
Application materials should be submitted to WittKieffer's candidate portal using the buttons below.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Mercedes Chacon Vance and Jevon Walton at ColgateAVP-AEAG@wittkieffer.com.
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.
Clery Act
CAMPUS CRIME REPORTING AND STATISTICS

The Department of Campus Safety will provide upon request a copy of Colgate's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported: 1. crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colgate University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus and 2. fires that occurred in student housing facilities. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety, such as policies concerning sexual assault, life safety systems, and other related matters. You may access the report from the Clery Compliance web page at: https://www.colgate.edu/about/offices-centers-institutes/dean-college/campus-safety-staff/clery-compliance. Printed copies of this report may be obtained upon request from the Department of Campus Safety via e-mail at cusafety@colgate.edu.

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