Director of Advancement

Summary of Position

The Director of Advancement is responsible for leading, planning, and executing Pennsylvania Institute of Technology’s advancement efforts, with a strong focus on fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, major gifts, corporate and community partnerships, advancement operations, special events, and external engagement.

Reporting to the President and serving as a member of the College’s leadership team, the Director of Advancement works closely with the President, Board of Trustees, Development Coordinator, and Senior Grant Writer and Grants Manager to strengthen philanthropic support and expand P.I.T.’s visibility, relationships, and network throughout the region.

This role serves as the College’s lead advancement officer and is expected to maintain a strong external presence, actively represent P.I.T. in the community, identify and cultivate prospective donors and partners, support Board engagement in fundraising, and build a broader culture of philanthropy. While alumni engagement remains part of the office’s work, the primary focus is growing external support through donor relations, partnerships, and strategic advancement initiatives.

Success in this role will depend heavily on the ability to serve as an outward-facing ambassador for the College and translate relationships into philanthropic and partnership opportunities.

Essential Functions

Essential functions include, but are not limited to:

· Lead the College’s overall advancement strategy, including fundraising, donor cultivation, stewardship, external partnerships, events, advancement communications, and related initiatives.

· Meet prospective donors, supporters, corporate partners, community stakeholders, and friends of the College on a continual basis to establish and strengthen relationships.

· Partner closely with the President to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and philanthropic prospects.

· Develop and manage a major gifts program, including prospect identification, qualification, research strategy, relationship management, solicitation strategy, and stewardship.

· Direct donor and prospect development activities and use research and briefing support prepared by the Development Coordinator to prioritize cultivation opportunities.

· Supervise and support the Development Coordinator and Senior Grant Writer and Grants Manager, ensuring coordination of priorities and alignment across advancement activities.

· Work closely with the Senior Grant Writer and Grants Manager to establish grant priorities and ensure grant-seeking activity aligns with institutional strategy and broader advancement goals.

· Develop and implement annual advancement goals, plans, and measurable outcomes, and regularly assess progress.

· Coordinate and co-lead Board Development Committee meetings and support the Board of Trustees in advancement and fundraising efforts.

· Work closely with the President and Board of Trustees to expand philanthropic engagement and strengthen the College’s external network.

· Cultivate and grow corporate, foundation, and community-based partnerships that support the mission and strategic priorities of the College.

· Collaborate with marketing staff to promote the College’s brand image, advancement messaging, community presence, and fundraising priorities.

· Oversee donor tracking systems, prospect management processes, and advancement reporting to ensure strong organization and follow-through.

· Direct and support advancement-related special events, donor engagement opportunities, sponsorship outreach, and institutional gatherings that advance fundraising and relationship-building goals.

· Support alumni engagement through communications, events, and relationship-building activities, recognizing alumni as an important constituency while not the primary driver of advancement strategy.

· Make public appearances and accept speaking engagements to share information about Pennsylvania Institute of Technology with the community.

· Oversee the creation of publications and materials that support advancement and fundraising activities.

· Demonstrate professional conduct at all times.

· Perform other related duties as requested.

Required Skills / Abilities

· Must embrace the mission of Pennsylvania Institute of Technology.

· Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.

· Demonstrated knowledge and experience in fundraising techniques, donor cultivation, external relations, public presence, and advancement strategy.

· Ability to work effectively with and motivate staff, faculty, Board members, donors, and community partners.

· Strong comfort level with external engagement and the ability to represent the College confidently in the community.

· Ability to think strategically while ensuring strong execution and follow-through.

· Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

· Positive attitude, professional presence, sound judgment, common sense, and strong listening ability.

· Self-starter who is goal-driven and comfortable taking initiative.

Qualifications

· A minimum of a bachelor’s degree; master’s preferred.

· Seven to ten years of relevant experience in advancement, fundraising, development, external relations, nonprofit leadership, donor engagement, or related work.

· Experience in higher education or nonprofit advancement strongly preferred.

· Experience supervising staff and managing multiple priorities preferred.

Physical Requirements

· Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

· Sitting or standing for long periods of time.

· Ability to attend events, meetings, and community engagements, including occasional evening or weekend responsibilities.

Pennsylvania Institute of Technology shall, in its discretion, modify or adjust the position to meet the school’s changing needs. This job description is not a contract and may be adjusted as deemed appropriate at the employer’s sole discretion.

Pennsylvania Institute of Technology (P.I.T.) has a policy regarding post-offer background screening for all appropriate faculty, staff, and volunteers of the College. This policy includes but is not limited to verifying credentials, criminal history, credit status, and other information related to employment decisions.

The College requires all new employees to have successfully completed background clearances. New employees must complete the background clearances prior to hire and, for those employees having direct contact with minors other than those described above, prior to the time they will begin having direct contact with minors and every 60 months thereafter. The College also reserves the right to require any employee to have a background check in its discretion during employment. Clearances required include a PA Statewide Criminal Record search, PA Child Abuse History, and FBI Criminal History record fingerprint search. A criminal record may be considered justification not to hire or for employment termination, depending upon the circumstances and record.

Pennsylvania Institute of Technology complies with all applicable anti-discrimination laws. PIT’s policy is to employ individuals who best meet the qualifications established for a position without regard to age, race, gender, political belief, sexual orientation or non-job-related disability. Equal opportunity is given in all areas of employment practice, including hiring, working conditions, employee treatment, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment.