Vice President for Philanthropy & Engagement

Vice President for Philanthropy & Engagement
ITHACA COLLEGE

Ithaca, New York

Ithaca College (IC), a private, comprehensive, residential campus community offering a learning experience that combines the best of liberal arts and professional education, seeks a dynamic, innovative, and proven leader to join as the Vice President for Philanthropy and Engagement.

Founded as the Ithaca Conservatory of Music in 1892, IC has grown to a modern campus overlooking the largest of the Finger Lakes and transformed into a private, coeducational, residential comprehensive college. Ranked by US News and World Report as one of the top 10 regional universities in the North, IC serves about 4,600 undergraduates and 420 graduate students and is home to over 61,000 alumni across the globe. Since its founding, IC has recognized the profound impact of combining academic theory with hands-on practice and a distinctive integration of performance. Today, the college offers 150 programs from five nationally-recognized, industry-leading schools and combines education for leadership in professional fields with the intellectual foundation of the liberal arts.

Reporting directly to Ithaca College’s 10th president, Dr. La Jerne Terry Cornish, the vice president will join Ithaca College at a pivotal moment as the college leans into the final year of its five-year strategic plan, Ithaca Forever, which will prime the institution for key building opportunities through transformative momentum and leverage a reinvigorated landscape for philanthropy, enhanced visibility as an aspirant institution, and create a high-performing enterprise. This is an excellent opportunity for an outstanding, strategic leader to join President Cornish early in her presidency and serve on her newly-forming cabinet.

This individual will strengthen and transform IC’s philanthropy and engagement (P&E) program through implementing best practices, team and capacity building, and applying data-driven outreach and fundraising strategies that will create a robust and effective fundraising program that builds on its successes annually. IC seeks a vice president who is imaginative, accomplished, and capable of executing a best-in-class advancement operation. The successful leader will recognize the importance of collaboration, communication, and organizational structures that are critical for success.  The vice president for philanthropy and engagement will benefit from President Cornish’s early involvement in developing and executing IC’s strategic plan and strong investment in donor engagement and development-related activities. Success for the next vice president will be, in part, defined by an ability to educate and engage all stakeholders of the IC community—faculty, staff, students, alumni, board members, and senior administrators—in development efforts; identify and cultivate opportunities for alumni participation across the college; access and implement key engagement and fundraising metrics; and serve as an architect and builder of a program and infrastructure that could support a future campaign. 

Compensation

The anticipated salary range for the vice president for philanthropy and engagement position is $220k-$240k annually. Compensation is commensurate with the successful candidates’ experience. Ithaca College values the contribution each team member brings to the organization. Final determination of a successful candidate’s starting pay will vary based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to education and experience within the job or the industry. The pay scale listed for this position is generally for candidates that meet the specified qualifications and requirements listed on this specific job description. Additional pay may be determined for those candidates that exceed these specified qualifications and requirements. Ithaca College provides a competitive compensation package that recognizes experience, credentials, and education alongside a robust benefits program to meet candidate needs.

Applications, Inquiries, and Nominations

Ithaca College has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this important recruitment. For more information about the opportunity and its desired qualifications, or to submit a nomination or apply for the role, please click here.

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.