Associate Director of Greater New York, Development and …, Bethlehem

Associate Director, Development and Alumni Relations Join Lehigh University's Development and Alumni Relations team and make a lasting impact at one of the nation's premier research universities. As Associate Director, you will cultivate meaningful relationships with major gift donors while advancing Lehigh's mission of excellence in education and research.

About The Opportunity This full-time exempt position offers the chance to work directly with potential and current major gift level donors to Lehigh University. You will manage a comprehensive portfolio of donors and prospective donors, guiding them through every phase of the gift cycle from initial contact to successful closure and ongoing stewardship. Position number: S80890. Grade: 11-40. Salary range: $83,910‑$102,080 (subject to change based on experience, skills, and qualifications).

Key Responsibilities

Secure a minimum of $1 million annually in philanthropic support for university priorities through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift donors.

Cultivate relationships with current and prospective major donors through face‑to‑face visits to assess giving capacity and institutional alignment, building a strategic pipeline of solicitations.

Arrange and staff campus visits, tours, and cultivation events, engaging senior leadership, deans, and faculty to deepen donor connection to the university.

Prepare strategic briefing materials, standardized correspondence, and compelling, customized fundraising proposals and impact reports for prospective and current donors.

Plan and execute targeted strategies to qualify, cultivate, and solicit major gift‑rated prospects within an assigned portfolio and geographic region to support institutional fundraising.

Monitor and track overall fundraising progress, regional activity, and pipeline metrics—including LYBUNT, SYBUNT, and new prospect development—providing regular status reports to management.

Utilize alumni relations events, programming, and regional networks to drive engagement and create strategic touchpoints that facilitate philanthropic cultivation.

Master university fundraising priorities and cases for support to align donor passions with institutional needs, while assisting in the recruitment and management of key fundraising volunteers.

Log all fundraising activity in the development database in a timely manner, prepare pipeline updates for leadership meetings, and collaborate with prospect management to ensure gifts are properly booked, troubleshooting any financial discrepancies.

Manage internal communications by providing regular performance reports to supervisors, keeping colleagues informed of relevant updates, handling travel expenses, and coordinating personalized stewardship efforts for assigned prospects.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree.

One or two years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Over seven years of related work experience in a development position with established external relationships.

Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Works well in a collaborative team environment.

Ability to work weekends and evenings.

Special Considerations

Position requires driving university‑owned vehicles; valid driver’s license and good driving record required.

Hybrid work arrangement with the possibility of fully remote work.

Benefits Competitive salary, health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition benefits for employees and their families.

EEO Statement Lehigh University is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and we seek qualified candidates to contribute to the university’s mission. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh’s Accommodations Specialist.

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