executive director of advancement – north america/diaspora

The Executive Director of Advancement – North America/Diaspora is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy in support of ACG’s institutional priorities, including scholarships, academic excellence, capital projects, and strategic growth.
The role focuses on major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation support, and engagement with Greek diaspora communities, with a primary emphasis on building relationships and cultivating philanthropic support across international networks.

Strategy & Planning

• Develop and implement a multi-year strategic fundraising plan across North America and assigned diaspora markets

• Track fundraising performance and prospect activity, maintaining accurate records and reports to support strategy, forecasting, and institutional planning

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

• Develop and execute initiatives to increase engagement and giving among alumni, parents, friends, and Greek diaspora communities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects, foundations, and corporate partners in alignment with ACG’s institutional priorities

• Build and strengthen relationships within Greek diaspora communities to expand ACG’s visibility, deepen institutional affinity, and develop future philanthropic support

• Manage and strengthen relationships with corporate partners and other key external stakeholders to sustain and expand their involvement with ACG

• Partner with the Vice President of Advancement on major gift, foundation, and grant opportunities involving high-potential prospects and institutional partners

• Develop tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for donors and prospects

• Strengthen ACG’s visibility within North American philanthropic, corporate, alumni, and Greek diaspora networks.

Institutional Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong relationships with faculty, administrators, and staff to identify opportunities, support donor engagement, and foster a culture of philanthropy

• Coordinate advancement activities across departments and divisions to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and effective progression of fundraising opportunities

• Coordinate closely with the Executive Director of Advancement – Greece to ensure alignment across regions in strategy, engagement, and stewardship

Required Qualifications & Experience

• University degree

• Minimum 5 years of experience in fundraising (preferably in higher education or nonprofit sector)

• Experience leading fundraising campaigns preferred

• Experience working within the Greek philanthropic landscape is essential

• Experience engaging diaspora or international networks strongly preferred

• Fluency in English (Greek preferred)

Required Knowledge

• Knowledge of fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and relationship management

• Knowledge of major gifts, foundation support, and corporate partnerships

• Knowledge of prospect research, portfolio management, and data management practices

Required Skills

• Strong donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Strong organizational and planning abilities

• Strategic thinking and long-term planning capability

• Strong negotiation and senior-level relationship management skills

• Ability to build and manage relationships across international and diaspora networks

• Data-informed decision-making

• Strong stakeholder management and internal collaboration skills