Senior Philanthropic Advisor

Trinity College, one of the nation’s preeminent historic liberal arts colleges, seeks a strategic, accomplished, and deeply relationship-driven fundraiser to serve as Senior Philanthropic Advisor (SPA). This position reports directly to new Vice President (VP) for Advancement Ben Anderson as a member of the advancement leadership team and as serves as a senior fundraiser for the College. The SPA will join Trinity at an exciting moment marked by the arrival of President Daniel G. Lugo on July 1, 2025, and the completion the All In campaign, which closed on June 30, 2025, having raised $425 million.

Trinity’s Board of Trustees has embraced the need for a transformative approach to alumni engagement and philanthropy. The SPA will play a key role in raising the sights and engagement of Trinity graduates who have the capacity to make a significant difference in the future of the College. In partnership with the VP and other senior leaders, the SPA will build and set strategy for principal giving at Trinity and generate significant revenue to support the College’s most critical strategic priorities and future campaign goals. As a highly experienced and expertly skilled frontline leader, the SPA will cultivate Trinity prospects with the capacity to make seven- and eight-figure gifts. The SPA will support a well-integrated principal gifts program that fosters a comprehensive and collaborative approach to identifying, engaging, and cultivating the College’s highest capacity alumni, parents, families, and friends.

In addition to a proven track record of securing principal gifts at a prior institution, the ideal candidate will possess superb judgment; excellent written and oral communication skills; intellectual rigor and curiosity; and deep knowledge about the business model and governance structures of higher education. The candidate will demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with senior leaders to creatively assess institutional strengths and needs, and craft visionary investment opportunities; to formulate creative cultivation plans that raise sights and lead to successful solicitation strategies; and to implement effective stewardship efforts that maximize the lifetime engagement and support of Trinity’s most generous donors. Importantly, the successful candidate will lead by influence, establishing trust and serving as a collaborative partner and advisor across Trinity Advancement and the College at large.

Located in the capital city of Hartford, Connecticut, Trinity offers students and faculty an unrivaled opportunity to gain a broad learning experience on the campus and in its neighborhood. With a deeply engaged faculty and an increasingly talented student body, Trinity continues to evolve its strong liberal arts program by integrating more experiential learning to meet the changing needs of today’s students. Trinity's accomplished faculty are dedicated mentors and recognized scholars who foster intellectual curiosity, creativity, and civic responsibility in their students. This is a campus where students curate their learning and experiences to meet the ambitious mission of the College. Their passion for the institution carries through as an engaged alumni community, continually championing the ambitions of Trinity. 

Jack Gorman is leading this search with Grace Zakim and Sandeep Kaur.