page header
future students linkscurrent students linksfaculty and staff linksalumni linksparents linksvisitors links

Position Openings ~ Job Opportunities

University Advancement
Associate Director of Planned Giving

St. Lawrence University seeks a motivated, goal-oriented professional with strong interpersonal skills to join its Advancement team. The Associate Director of Planned Giving is a full-time permanent position that plays a key role in fundraising through prospect cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.

The Planned Giving Office, consisting of the Director, Associate Director and Administrative Assistant, works with alumni, parents and friends who have included or are considering including the University in their estate plans or setting up a life-income gift. The Office provides stewardship to the more than 700 members of the G. Atwood Manley Society who have already made such gifts, and oversees the administration of planned gift assets held by the University. Prospects are encouraged to set up similar gift plans through marketing materials, events, and personal visits. The Director and Associate Director work with donors to develop the best plan to accomplish their philanthropic goals for the University.

The Associate Director plays a role in all aspects of the Planned Giving program. The Associate Director also has responsibility for travel territories and major giving prospects, and in addition works with 50th reunion fundraising. Extensive travel of 40-50 days per year, completing 140 prospect visits, is required.

Specific Responsibilities

  • Maintain a caseload of outright gift prospects, including 70-100 with the capacity to make $100,000 gifts and 300 with the capacity to make $25,000 gifts, many of whom demonstrate strong inclination to support St. Lawrence. 
  • Complete 140 prospect visits annually, typically requiring 40-50 travel days each year.
  • Identify, engage and solicit major donors to the University, soliciting and closing both outright and planned gifts.
  • Work with 50th Reunion fundraising effort to solicit prospects approaching their 50th Reunion.
  • Recruit and engage key fund raising volunteers. Staff members will be asked to work with members of the University’s Board of Trustees, key alumni, parent and friend volunteers in securing major and planned gifts.
  • Solicit gifts on behalf of the St. Lawrence Fund, which includes reunion and non-reunion gifts as well as the Parents Fund.
  • Contribute travel and prospect recommendations for Presidential travel designated to further the goals and objectives of the advancement division.
  • Attend alumni program events where appropriate and provide support to the mission of the division and the University.
  • Support initiatives sponsored by offices both within the advancement division and by those across the University.  Events include reunion, Commencement, Laurentians in Residence, admissions-sponsored scholar visit and campus visit days.

Specific Skills/Attributes Required:

  • A bachelor’s degree (candidates with advanced degrees encouraged to apply), and at least five years of successful fundraising experience, or related work such as sales or marketing, are required. A background in financial planning or law is beneficial.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential in successfully fulfilling the needs of this position. 
  • Candidates must demonstrate the ability to develop strong relationships with donors with the highest degree of professionalism.
  • An individual who both possesses and balances well the following characteristics: assertive, creative, well-organized, self-motivated, team- and goal-oriented and persistent.
  • A familiarity with and an appreciation for the role and mission of a small, private liberal arts institution. Candidates will be expected to articulate the University’s mission and goals in a compelling and eloquent manner.

To apply, send letter of application, resume and a list of at least three professional references to Marie Loson, Administrative Assistant for Planned Giving, St. Lawrence University, Vilas Hall, 23 Romoda Drive, Canton, NY 13617 or e-mail mloson@stlawu.edu. Active screening of applications begins immediately. The position will be filled as soon as a suitable applicant is selected.

St. Lawrence University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer.


Posted: August 22, 2011 (revised 9/14/11)

Human Resources
St. Lawrence University
(315) 229-5509
Maintained by Karen Butler

Job Opportunities Home