Inside Higher Ed
Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving
Inside Higher Ed, New York, New York, us, 10261
Overview
Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at Colgate University (position within the Office of Advancement, Department: Alumni Engagement). Position Details
Position Title
Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving Job Category
Professional/Administrative Full Time/Part Time
Full Time Division
Office of Advancement Department
Alumni Engagement Salary
$140,000 – $170,000 Qualifications
Required 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 deep understanding of alumni engagement and annual giving best practices and emerging trends. Exceptional relationship-building skills with the confidence and credibility to engage alumni, faculty, University leadership, and key stakeholders. Strong collaboration and communication skills with a track record of working across academic and administrative teams. Data-driven mindset with ability to leverage metrics, analytics, and assessment tools to measure engagement and fundraising effectiveness, optimize resources, and manage budgets. Willingness to travel extensively and maintain connections with alumni nationwide and beyond. Collaborative, collegial leadership style with high integrity, good work ethic, and sound judgment. Appreciation for Colgate University’s history, mission, and achievements, with the ability to articulate impact to diverse audiences. Desire to engage fully with the University and local community. Note : The text included a line break; the content is retained as part of the qualifications. Preferred Qualifications Direct management experience in alumni engagement and/or annual giving within a higher education setting. 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. Offer Determination
When extending an offer, Colgate University considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, and market and organizational considerations. 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. Perks include 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 Giving provides strategic leadership in fostering meaningful connections with Colgate’s global alumni community and mobilizing philanthropic support through a thriving annual giving program. Colgate is a selective, residential liberal arts college with a strong culture of philanthropy and alumni engagement. The University has more than 56% of alumni actively participating each year through giving, volunteering, and attending programs. Signature events include Reunion, which welcomes more than 2,500 alumni and guests annually. The University has raised over $725 million toward its $1 billion Campaign for the Third Century. The AVP plays a pivotal role in strengthening alumni engagement, leading the strategy and execution of the annual giving program, and mobilizing the alumni community in support of Colgate’s vision. Accountabilities and Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, the AVP provides strategic vision, leadership, and direction to deepen alumni connections and enhance lifelong relationships 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. Advance Colgate’s mission by fostering long-term alumni engagement and philanthropic participation aligned with University goals. Provide strategic oversight for the annual giving program with best practices, data-driven segmentation, and compelling messaging. Position alumni engagement and annual giving as University-wide priorities and coordinate engagement with campus partners and solicitation efforts across all alumni populations. Build partnerships with University leadership, faculty, and stakeholders to develop and implement engagement and giving strategies. Expand alumni volunteer leadership, ensuring a diverse and robust pipeline of volunteers. Develop and execute a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy adaptable to trends and priorities. Oversee programs that foster connections through affinity/identity groups, intellectual and regional initiatives, and Colgate Professional Networks. Lead marketing and communications strategies to promote alumni engagement and annual giving opportunities. Serve as the primary University liaison to the Alumni Council, including Executive Secretary duties. Provide leadership and oversight for the alumni engagement and annual giving teams with staff development and performance culture. Manage departmental budgets in alignment with University policies. Oversee Reunion Weekend and partner on other signature Colgate weekends. Application Details
Requisition Number
2025S070Posting Temporary
No Job Open Date
08/28/2025 Open Until Filled
Yes Special Instructions
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Include a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing themes in the leadership profile. Submit materials to WittKieffer’s candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Mercedes Chacón Vance and Jevon Walton at ColgateAVP-AEAG@wittkieffer.com. EEO and Compliance
EEO Statement
The University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on any protected characteristic. 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. Access at Colgate’s Clery Compliance page or via email cusafety@colgate.edu. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities are available upon request. Open positions are posted until filled. Note: This job description reflects the content of the original posting without translation or alteration of facts.
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Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at Colgate University (position within the Office of Advancement, Department: Alumni Engagement). Position Details
Position Title
Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving Job Category
Professional/Administrative Full Time/Part Time
Full Time Division
Office of Advancement Department
Alumni Engagement Salary
$140,000 – $170,000 Qualifications
Required 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 deep understanding of alumni engagement and annual giving best practices and emerging trends. Exceptional relationship-building skills with the confidence and credibility to engage alumni, faculty, University leadership, and key stakeholders. Strong collaboration and communication skills with a track record of working across academic and administrative teams. Data-driven mindset with ability to leverage metrics, analytics, and assessment tools to measure engagement and fundraising effectiveness, optimize resources, and manage budgets. Willingness to travel extensively and maintain connections with alumni nationwide and beyond. Collaborative, collegial leadership style with high integrity, good work ethic, and sound judgment. Appreciation for Colgate University’s history, mission, and achievements, with the ability to articulate impact to diverse audiences. Desire to engage fully with the University and local community. Note : The text included a line break; the content is retained as part of the qualifications. Preferred Qualifications Direct management experience in alumni engagement and/or annual giving within a higher education setting. 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. Offer Determination
When extending an offer, Colgate University considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, and market and organizational considerations. 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. Perks include 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 Giving provides strategic leadership in fostering meaningful connections with Colgate’s global alumni community and mobilizing philanthropic support through a thriving annual giving program. Colgate is a selective, residential liberal arts college with a strong culture of philanthropy and alumni engagement. The University has more than 56% of alumni actively participating each year through giving, volunteering, and attending programs. Signature events include Reunion, which welcomes more than 2,500 alumni and guests annually. The University has raised over $725 million toward its $1 billion Campaign for the Third Century. The AVP plays a pivotal role in strengthening alumni engagement, leading the strategy and execution of the annual giving program, and mobilizing the alumni community in support of Colgate’s vision. Accountabilities and Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, the AVP provides strategic vision, leadership, and direction to deepen alumni connections and enhance lifelong relationships 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. Advance Colgate’s mission by fostering long-term alumni engagement and philanthropic participation aligned with University goals. Provide strategic oversight for the annual giving program with best practices, data-driven segmentation, and compelling messaging. Position alumni engagement and annual giving as University-wide priorities and coordinate engagement with campus partners and solicitation efforts across all alumni populations. Build partnerships with University leadership, faculty, and stakeholders to develop and implement engagement and giving strategies. Expand alumni volunteer leadership, ensuring a diverse and robust pipeline of volunteers. Develop and execute a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy adaptable to trends and priorities. Oversee programs that foster connections through affinity/identity groups, intellectual and regional initiatives, and Colgate Professional Networks. Lead marketing and communications strategies to promote alumni engagement and annual giving opportunities. Serve as the primary University liaison to the Alumni Council, including Executive Secretary duties. Provide leadership and oversight for the alumni engagement and annual giving teams with staff development and performance culture. Manage departmental budgets in alignment with University policies. Oversee Reunion Weekend and partner on other signature Colgate weekends. Application Details
Requisition Number
2025S070Posting Temporary
No Job Open Date
08/28/2025 Open Until Filled
Yes Special Instructions
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Include a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing themes in the leadership profile. Submit materials to WittKieffer’s candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Mercedes Chacón Vance and Jevon Walton at ColgateAVP-AEAG@wittkieffer.com. EEO and Compliance
EEO Statement
The University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on any protected characteristic. 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. Access at Colgate’s Clery Compliance page or via email cusafety@colgate.edu. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities are available upon request. Open positions are posted until filled. Note: This job description reflects the content of the original posting without translation or alteration of facts.
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