Senior Philanthropic Advisor - New York Based Advisor

Elon University seeks a strategic, experienced and aspirational New York Tri-State based Senior Philanthropic Advisor for principal and major gifts to join its advancement and external affairs team. This is a new role within Elon’s advancement and external affairs team. Over the last few decades, the University’s advancement apparatus has grown and become increasingly sophisticated in its approach and strategies as Elon’s profile has increased nationally. The Senior Philanthropic Advisor will join an advancement team that continues to better engage alumni, raise philanthropic resources, and compellingly narrate Elon’s story. They will join an advancement team, and moreover a University community, that is ambitious in its goals and highly collaborative in charting the next stages of Elon’s history. 

The position reports to the Associate Vice President for University Advancement, will engage and advise the Senior Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs and the President of the University, will serve as a key senior member of advancement’s leadership team. 

The Senior Philanthropic Advisor will be an experienced philanthropic strategist and fundraiser who employs a donor-centric model to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward gifts at the six-, seven-, and eight-figure level. As a front-line fundraiser, the Senior Philanthropic Advisor will maintain a portfolio of 100-125 prospective donors and will be expected to incorporate best practices of successful higher education gift offices. They will closely collaborate with leadership of University Advancement, including staff serving in major gift, planned giving, alumni engagement, parent engagement, research and prospect management roles. 

The Senior Philanthropic Advisor will reside in New York City or the greater Tri-State area and will possess a deep understanding of the philanthropic ecosystem in the region. They will be expected to travel to the Elon campus 4-6 times a year, particularly during key moments such as (but not limited to) university move-in weekend, homecoming, family weekend, commencement, University Advancement strategic retreats, and more.

Elon University has engaged the search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist with this recruitment. Instructions for applying, nominating and inquiring about this opportunity can be found below. 

Jack Gorman is leading this search with Kahn Lee and Lisa Clayton. 

Elon University is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to a diverse faculty, staff and student body and welcomes all applicants.