The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) seeks a Chief Advancement Officer to lead the College’s philanthropic strategy at a defining moment in its history. Under the leadership of its new President, Jason S. Schupbach, FIT is undertaking Future//Forward, a college-wide strategic planning process designed to position FIT as the preeminent laboratory for creative careers in the 21st century. The Chief Advancement Officer will be a close strategic partner to President Schupbach, the President’s Administrative Leadership, and all FIT Boards, translating this vision into a compelling, well-resourced philanthropic agenda.
FIT aspires to become a premier philanthropic destination and partner of choice at the intersection of fashion, design, creativity, business, finance, and technology, creating new opportunities for transformative investment in the future of creative education.
This is an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished advancement executive to lead a comprehensive fundraising program at one of the world’s most respected institutions in art, design, business, and creative education, and to help chart the philanthropic course of a college entering a new era under new leadership.
Reporting to the President and working in close partnership with the FIT Foundation Board, the Chief Advancement Officer will lead a talented Advancement team, carry out the operational responsibilities of the Foundation’s chief development function, and serve as a visible ambassador for FIT among the VIP, C-suite, and philanthropic communities the College collaborates with and serves
Responsibilities:
- Forge a trusted, strategic partnership with President Schupbach, positioning him effectively as FIT’s chief philanthropic ambassador and maximizing his time with the College’s most important donors and prospects.
- Translate the emerging priorities of Future//Forward into a compelling case for support and a disciplined philanthropic strategy that grows contributed revenue across major, principal, and planned giving.
- Expand and diversify FIT’s philanthropic base by cultivating new relationships across the fashion, beauty, luxury, finance, technology, arts, and professional services sectors; developing meaningful parent and family engagement; and securing foundation support for initiatives emerging from the College’s strategic priorities.
- Assess FIT’s readiness for a future, first-ever capital or comprehensive campaign, and build the infrastructure, prospect pipeline, and case for support that would make one successful.
- Build on nine years of sustained investment in FIT’s alumni relations program, engaging alumni through signature programs, events, and achieving participation, ensuring it is fully integrated into the College’s philanthropic and volunteer leadership pipeline.
- Build, mentor, and retain a high-performing Advancement team capable of sustained growth, including an Associate Vice President who manages daily team operations and a dedicated high-net-worth giving function.
- Support the FIT Foundation Board, Board of Trustees, and the Museum at FIT’s Couture Council in their philanthropic engagement, while partnering with institutional and board leadership to identify, cultivate, and engage new philanthropic leaders who can expand FIT’s influence, reach, and fundraising capacity.
- Collaborate with FIT’s Chief Marketing Officer to strengthen the College’s external positioning, philanthropic storytelling, and visibility among prospective donors and partners.
- Serve as a visible, credible face for FIT among VIP, C-suite, and philanthropic audiences, reinforcing the College’s stature as a leading destination for philanthropic investment in creative education.
The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position; other duties may be assigned consistent with the classification of the position.
Job Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Twelve to fifteen years of progressively responsible fundraising and advancement leadership, including senior leadership of a comprehensive development operation.
- A demonstrated track record of closing seven-figure and above gifts, with fluency across major gifts, principal gifts, and planned giving.
- Experience designing or leading a capital or comprehensive campaign, or assessing an institution’s readiness for one.
- Established relationships and credibility within the fashion, beauty, luxury, or broader creative industries.
- A track record of serving as a strategic partner to a president, CEO, or other senior executive.
- Experience working with and staffing a nonprofit or foundation board.
- A career that includes successfully recruiting, mentoring, and leading a high-performing advancement team.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree preferred.
- Familiarity with the New York City philanthropic, fashion, and creative communities.
- Experience in higher education, including educational capital or comprehensive campaigns, or demonstrated success in a similarly complex, mission-driven institution.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Demonstrated ability to identify and cultivate new philanthropic opportunities and relationships beyond traditional funding sources.
- A confident, credible presence with VIP, C-suite, and philanthropic audiences, paired with genuine warmth and listening skills.
- A strategic thinker who can translate institutional ambition into a compelling philanthropic narrative.
- An entrepreneurial builder who is energized by creating, growing, and strengthening an advancement organization and identifying opportunities that others may overlook.
- An entrepreneurial, proactive style suited to an institution in transition and building toward its next chapter.
- A collaborative partner able to build trust quickly with a new president, a sophisticated volunteer board, and a talented internal team.
- A genuine appreciation for FIT’s role at the intersection of design, business, and the creative economy.
Additional Information:
Please note all offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the background check process.
Salary
Salary: $350,000 to $400,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
This range represents base salary only and excludes additional compensation such as incentives or benefits.
Work Schedule
Days/Hours: On campus M-F, 9am-5pm, however, the demands of the work will require hours outside the normal schedule (evening/weekends) per the needs of the department.
Benefits
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) provides comprehensive employee benefit programs designed to help keep our faculty and staff and their families healthy, safe, happy, and productive. Our programs also include a variety of components to help our employees improve the quality and balance of their work and family lives, and to help them prepare for their futures.
Retirement Plans
- Health Care Plan and Dental Plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible Spending Account
- Commuter Benefit Plan
- FIT Tuition Exemption Program
- Paid Time Off (Vacation, Personal, Sick and Holidays)
- 4-day Summer Workweek
- Qualifying Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
For a full list of FIT benefits, visit our benefits webpage.
Pay Equity by State Employers
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at Log in to view email.
Visa Sponsorship
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship by the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
FIT is firmly committed to creating an environment that will attract and retain people from a range of backgrounds. FIT is firmly committed to creating a learning and working environment that encourages, utilizes, respects, and appreciates the full expression of every individual’s ability. The FIT community fosters its mission and grows because of its rich, pluralistic experience. FIT is committed to prohibiting discrimination, whether on the basis of race, color, creed, age, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, partnership status, caregiver status, sexual and reproductive health decisions, uniformed service, height, weight, any lawful source of income, status as a victim of domestic violence or as a victim of sex offenses or stalking, whether children are, may be or would be residing with a person or conviction or arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. FIT is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, including the opportunity for upward mobility for all qualified individuals. Applications from veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged. Inquiries regarding FIT’s non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Chief Equal Employment Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, 212 217.3360.
Annual Security Report
The safety and well-being of FIT’s students, faculty, staff, and visitors is of paramount importance. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, FIT publishes an annual report containing crime statistics and statements of security policy, accessible here: Safety Statistics. A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request by contacting Public Safety’s administrative office number at (212) 217-4999.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
The working conditions for this position will be primarily in an office space. The physical requirement for this position will require frequent sitting, occasional standing, occasional walking, occasional bending and occasionally lifting up to 10 lbs.
