Assistant Director of Development, Parent and Family Philanthropy

Position Details

Position Information

About Fordham

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its nine colleges and schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability; employee assistance program ( EAP ); tuition remission; and generous time off.

Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education.

Title of Position Assistant Director of Development, Parent and Family Philanthropy

Position Number A09325

FLSA Exempt

Scheduled Hours Per Week 35

Department Dev Investment Fund Initiative

Campus Lincoln Center

Work Arrangement Hybrid

Hybrid Policy: Please review the Hybrid Policy at www.fordham.edu/hybridpolicy .

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development for Parent and Family Philanthropy, the Assistant Director of Development plays a key role in supporting and achieving the annual and strategic philanthropic parent fundraising goals. Working independently and in collaboration with key parent volunteers, University leadership, faculty, and Development and University Relations ( DAUR ) staff, the incumbent manages the complete lifecycle of parent and family giving. By identifying, qualifying, cultivating, writing proposals for, soliciting, and stewarding individual parent prospects and donors, the Assistant Director builds and nurtures relationships to fulfill Fordham University’s institutional fundraising priorities. Frequent travel and/or evening and weekend work is required.

Essential Functions

In collaboration with the Senior Director, utilizes reflective discernment practices to develop and execute overall gift strategy for current and past parent and family leadership gifts.

Manages a personal portfolio of approximately 150 major gift parents and family prospects.

Devises individual engagement strategies for each prospect in their pool, with the goal of soliciting annual gifts and/or multi-year gift commitments at the $ 5,000+ level, with specific solicitation goals to be determined in an annual goal-setting process.

Researches parents and family donors’ philanthropic areas of interest and develops funding proposals and appeal materials that align their priorities with the University’s academic and student-centered initiatives.

Collaborates with academic leadership and other campus partners (Student Affairs, Athletics, etc.) to cultivate and solicit Parents’ Leadership Council members, strengthening their connection to the University and broadening engagement among non-alumni constituencies through compelling, mission-driven cases for support.

Develops strategies to invite non-alumni families into the Jesuit tradition, ensuring Fordham’s mission is accessible and welcoming to families of all religious and cultural backgrounds.

Leverages project management, personal relationship-building, research, strategic communication, and engagement skills to effectively identify, assess, and qualify parent and family constituents. Intentionally nurtures relationships with these constituents by actively listening to identify where a family’s values and life experiences intersect with Fordham’s mission.

Essential Functions Note This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list.

The University may assign additional related duties as necessary.

Management Responsibilities Not responsible for supervision or oversight of others.

Additional Functions

Required Qualifications: Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree.

Minimum of 3 years in development, sales, research, customer-facing roles (event management, concierge, etc.)

Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills

Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills to establish and maintain good working relationships with colleagues, faculty, donors, volunteers, and university officials, emphasizing tact, diplomacy, flexibility, collaboration, professionalism, and discretion.

Ability to navigate complex situations with integrity and a foundation of ethical discernment.

Demonstrated ability to apply the principle of ‘Cura Personalis’ to balance ambitious institutional fundraising goals with genuine care for donors’ holistic relationship to the University.

Strong organization and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize and complete multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.

Ability to articulate Fordham’s Jesuit identity to diverse stakeholders, demonstrating the capacity to translate a complex organizational mission into inspiring narratives that drive inclusive excellence.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in fundraising in education, religious, and/or nonprofit organization(s).

Successful track record of fundraising from non-alumni/parent constituencies.

Familiarity with fundraising databases and tools ( CRM Advance, Fundraiser Performance Management, etc.).

Plus Delta certification.

Minimum Starting Salary $75,000

Maximum Starting Salary $80,000

Qualifications

Note Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills.

Is this a Union position? No

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number A1057P

Number of Vacancies 1

Start Date ASAP

Posting Date 05/19/2026

Special Instructions

EEO Statement

Fordham University is committed to excellence and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.

Fordham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.