Careers at Yeshiva University

Position Summary:       

Cardozo School of Law seeks an Associate Director of Advancement. Reporting to the Director of Advancement, this position will identify, cultivate, and solicit alumni, parents and friends of Cardozo School of Law with the capacity of giving $1,000-$9,999 annually. They are responsible for moving a portfolio of at least 150 prospects through the complete giving cycle: discovery, engagement, cultivation, solicitation, gift negotiation and stewardship, and serves as a key member of a dynamic fundraising team. The position oversees the Parents Council and the law school’s Annual Fund through direct mail, email solicitations and phone-a-thons. This role supervises 1-2 direct reports.

Cardozo School of Law is currently in year four of a University-wide comprehensive campaign. The law school has raised over $40M towards its $50M goal in honor of the school’s 50^th anniversary in 2026. The Office of Institutional Advancement spearheads this campaign and this position will have an integral part of the final years of the campaign and its success.

Position Responsibilities:

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit alumni, parents, and friends of Cardozo School of Law. Conduct a minimum of 150 personal contacts annually to cultivate and solicit prospects and close gifts. Portfolio may include New York and regional assignments involving travel and attending events. There is also an expectation of having planned giving conversations for this position each year when appropriate.
• Successfully meet fundraising goals by identifying and personally working with prospects through gift closings; Manage a portfolio of 150 donors with a specific focus on those with ability to give at the Dean’s Council ($2,500+) leadership levels, while conducting continuous prospect discovery work.
• Oversee the Parents Council and family fundraising program, which includes discovery work with new parents, managing Parents Council co-chairs and members, and leading their events. The position also collaborates with Cardozo Board of Overseers members who are active with growing and cultivate this population.
• Oversee the Annual Fund program, which includes writing copy for and coordinating the logistics of the direct mail and e-mail appeals. The position works with the Office of Communications and an external designer for print materials as well as designing email campaigns in Salesforce. This includes leading fundraising efforts for specific needs and projects within the school such as fundraising challenge matches for the signature events and the clinical fundraising program.
• Supervise 1-3 key members of the dynamic fundraising team.
• Collaborate with the Director of Alumni Affairs to recruit host committee members for the department’s three signature events (the GOLD Reception, BALLSA Celebration, and Homecoming & Reunion).
• Research and analyze donor data in collaboration with the fundraising team to strategize assigned & unassigned prospect research, board solicitation management, the Dean’s Top Prospect list and pipeline management.
• Work in a highly collaborative environment. Members of the Institutional Advancement team engage with nearly every department within the law school such as the Dean and Associate Deans, senior administrators, faculty members, the Office of Communications, the Office of Career Services, the Office of Student Affairs, and more.  
• Prepare solicitation materials, gift proposals, agreements and briefings for the Associate Dean of Advancement and the Dean of the Law School, in addition to their own prospects.
• Actively maintain a current body of knowledge about Cardozo and its fundraising priorities; develop a thorough understanding of the programs and aspirations of the law school.
• Ensure maintenance of all records in the database in a timely fashion.

Experience & Educational Background:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• A minimum of five years in development or a related field, preferably in higher education required.
• Campaign and managerial experience preferred.

Skills & Competencies:

• Must be well-organized and have excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to interact successfully both one-on-one and in large group settings.
• Demonstrated ability to drive activity for multiple projects/groups and work effectively in a team environment with diverse populations.
• Strong interpersonal skills as well as the ability to interact well with faculty, staff, alumni, and other constituents.
• Must have demonstrated prior success in achieving fundraising goals and managing high-level donor relationships.
• Must have the ability to present complex information in a clear and compelling manner.
• The capacity to clearly comprehend and communicate the School’s mission and ongoing initiatives.
• Fluent in Microsoft Suite (Excel, Outlook, Word & PowerPoint) and comfortable and willing to learn a new prospect management database (Ellucian CRM).
• Excellent judgment in determining the ability to make appropriate use of resources to further fundraising goals.
• Collaborative and enthusiastic team player.
• Evening/weekend work events and domestic travel.

Salary Range:

$115,000 -$130,000

About Us:        

Founded in 1886, Yeshiva University (YU) has a strong tradition of combining Jewish scholarship with academic excellence and achievement in the liberal arts, sciences, medicine, law, business, social work, Jewish studies, education, psychology, and more. 

We are a leading global educational institution that employs 2,000 people across our various campus locations -- Wilf Campus, Beren Campus, Brookdale Center, Resnick Campus in the Bronx, the Gruss Institute in Jerusalem, the Boys High School in Manhattan and the Girls High School in Queens. From the distinguished faculty who teach here, to the dedicated staff, we work to fulfill our mission through all that we teach, by all that we do and for all those we serve.  We seek to attract and retain engaged and committed individuals who contribute to an exciting working environment, where there is a sense of community and belonging, balanced with a significant cross section of people from diverse backgrounds working and studying together.

The University offers an excellent compensation package, and a broad range of employee benefit plans, including immediate participation in the University’s retirement plan. Staff members are typically eligible for four weeks paid vacation each year and have access to a shuttle to nearby subway locations.

Equal Employment Opportunity:    

Yeshiva University is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.