Job Overview: Leadership Annual Giving Officer (LAGO)

New York University (NYU) is seeking a dynamic and results-driven Leadership Annual Giving Officer to join the University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) team. This role is a “game-changer” position designed to bridge the gap between foundational giving and major gifts. You will act as a primary storyteller and networker, traveling locally and nationally to forge philanthropic relationships that support NYU’s mission in teaching, research, and student aid.

As a member of the Annual Giving department, you will manage a targeted portfolio of prospects, identifying and cultivating donors who have the potential to make a significant impact on the university’s immediate and long-range goals.

Key Responsibilities & Fundraising Strategy

Portfolio Management & Solicitation

Direct Fundraising: Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a specific portfolio of annual giving prospects, focusing on establishing early major giving patterns.
Relationship Building: Forge meaningful connections with alumni, parents, faculty, and friends to secure gifts and pledges for critical operations like faculty support and infrastructure.
Travel: Act as a “road warrior,” traveling both locally and nationally to meet with donors and represent NYU’s development interests.

Collaboration & Internal Partnerships

Cross-Functional Teamwork: Work closely with Alumni Relations, IT, Research, and school-based major gift fundraisers to align local and international support.
Strategic Planning: Partner with central development offices to ensure data accuracy and contribute to the creation of team-supportive structures like prospect lists and portfolio management.
Stewardship: Develop and implement events and marketing strategies to maintain donor engagement and show the impact of their contributions.

Requirements & Qualifications

Mandatory Credentials

Education: Bachelor’s Degree.
Experience: 3+ years of related experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
Core Competencies: Must have a proven track record in the fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship of individual donors.

Preferred Experience & Skills

Higher Ed Background: 3+ years of fundraising within a research university environment.
Closing Success: Experience closing leadership-level gifts ranging from $1,000 to $50,000.
Technical Proficiency: Working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, and database software, with strong analytical skills to manage donor data.
Soft Skills: Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; ability to serve as a resource and guide for other LAGO fundraisers.

Compensation & Work Arrangement

Salary Range: $73,800.00 – $90,200.00 (Base pay, depending on experience and internal equity).
Work Classification: Hybrid Remote (60% to 80% onsite requirement).
Location: New York, NY (Washington Square/UDAR headquarters).
Sustainability Note: Join a university committed to being carbon neutral by 2040.

Why Join NYU Development (UDAR)?

UDAR is at the heart of NYU’s strategic growth, raising the funds that fuel world-class education and groundbreaking research. This role offers the opportunity to engage with a global network of supporters while benefiting from a hybrid work arrangement that encourages work-life integration. NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity across all protected bases, encouraging applicants at all levels to contribute to its urban, green campus mission.

Application Information

Interested candidates should apply through the NYU Careers portal using Job ID 2026-15399.

The Organization & Culture New York University (NYU) is one of the world’s most influential private research universities, characterized by its “campus without walls” that is deeply integrated into the fabric of New York City. In 2026, the culture is defined by global ambition and interdisciplinary innovation. NYU continues to position itself as a “Global Network University,” with students and faculty moving seamlessly between New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. The environment is high-energy, diverse, and fiercely competitive; for 2026, NYU is ranked #31 globally by Times Higher Education and remains one of the most desirable institutions in the U.S. with a record-low acceptance rate near 8%.

The Locations: A Dual-Borough Powerhouse

Washington Square (Manhattan): The heart of NYU, centered around Greenwich Village. It lacks traditional gates, with over 170 buildings integrated into the city blocks surrounding Washington Square Park. Key hubs include the Bobst Library, the Stern School of Business, and the Kimmel Center.
Downtown Brooklyn: Home to the Tandon School of Engineering, located in the “Brooklyn Tech Triangle” (MetroTech Center). This campus has seen massive investment in 2025–2026, becoming a centerpiece for NYU’s robotics and AI research.
Health Sciences Corridor: Located along First Avenue in Manhattan, anchored by NYU Langone Health, which has been ranked the #1 healthcare system in New York for four consecutive years as of 2026.

Academic & Workplace Highlights (2026)

Strategic Pathways 2026: Working or studying at NYU in 2026 means aligning with four key “Pathways”: Science & Tech, Interdisciplinary Impact, Global, and Flourishing. These initiatives focus on making NYU the premier hub for discovery and entrepreneurship.
The AI & Quantum Leap: In early 2026, NYU launched the Simons Center for Computational Geophysical Flows and the Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence, marking a significant shift toward AI-powered urban problem solving.
2025-2026 Cost of Attendance:
- Undergraduate Tuition: Approximately $65,622 per year.
- Total Cost of Attendance: For students living on campus, the estimated total is $96,988, placing it in the top 5% of the most expensive universities in the nation.
- Financial Aid: NYU recently expanded its “NYU Promise,” ensuring that students from families with typical assets and incomes under $100,000 pay $0 in tuition.
Career Outcomes: The median alumni salary for recent NYU graduates is approximately $59,956, with high-performers in Finance (Stern) and Engineering (Tandon) significantly exceeding this.
2026 Employee Benefits & Transition:
- Medical Transition: Effective January 1, 2026, NYU transitioned its employee medical coverage from UnitedHealthcare to Aetna.
- Mental Health Focus: The university introduced Aetna’s “Resources for Living” EAP, providing no-cost confidential counseling to all staff and their families.
- Wellness Perks: Employees have access to the “LiveSmart” wellness program, tuition remission for themselves and dependents, and a 403(b) retirement plan with university contributions after one year.

Strategic Values: “Discovery & Global Citizenship”

The “Device-Free” Movement: In 2026, NYU launched “NYU IRL” (In Real Life), featuring phone-free lounges like “The Nest” and device-free “Lunch & Learn” events to combat digital burnout and foster genuine human connection.
2031 Bicentennial Goal: The university’s strategic “North Star” is its 200th anniversary in 2031. Current efforts are focused on becoming the #1 institution for global entrepreneurship.
Sustainability & Tech: NYU recently unveiled “Torch,” New York’s most powerful and sustainable supercomputer, signaling a commitment to high-performance computing that doesn’t compromise the university’s carbon-neutrality goals.

To apply for this job please visit www.nyu.edu.