Open Searches

SUNY Purchase invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Purchase College Foundation and Charitable Entities (VPIA/Executive Director). The VPIA/Executive Director will be an excellent partner with President Michael E. Steiper and other institutional leaders in working together to embrace the mission, advance the vision, and complete the goals and objectives of the College’s emerging strategic plan.

SUNY Purchase is a unique institution within the State University of New York’s (SUNY) comprehensive system of higher education in which the performing and visual arts are paired with liberal arts programs in the humanities, natural and social sciences, and film and new media. The College seeks a creative, visionary, inspirational leader and skilled administrator as its VPIA/Executive Director, committed to public higher education and to promoting not only the role of the arts but also the interconnectedness of the arts and liberal arts and sciences in education.

The VPIA/Executive Director will serve as the College’s chief advancement officer and will initiate, direct, and implement a plan for the College’s and Foundation’s fundraising objectives as well support those of the Neuberger Museum and The Performing Arts Center. The individual will orchestrate all the elements of a successful development and alumni relations office. The VPIA/Executive Director will work with the College’s leadership and the Foundation Board to motivate and expand a small, talented staff, including creating and implementing a comprehensive development plan that incorporates initiatives to effectively promote the College and secure philanthropic support in areas of institutional need.

SUNY Purchase is located in suburban Westchester County, 25 miles north of New York City. The campus is located in the hamlet of Purchase in the Town/Village of Harrison, seven miles from White Plains, the Westchester County seat. The city is known for its community charm, comfortable neighborhoods, cultural centers, and educational institutions. Located in southeastern New York, Purchase is considered part of the New York City metropolitan area. In addition to being the home of SUNY Purchase, the region is also home to several other higher education institutions, including Manhattanville College.

The search committee for SUNY Purchase’s next VPIA/Executive Director is being assisted by Academic Search. To apply, applicants should visit the following link: https://www.academicsearch.org/SUNYPurchaseVPIAApply.

Applications should consist of a substantive cover letter addressing the qualifications and expectations in the position profile and a curriculum vitae, both submitted as PDFs. A list of professional references will be required later in the process. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, those received by September 17, 2026, can be assured full consideration. Nominations and expressions of interest can be submitted in confidence to SUNYPurchaseVPIA@academicsearch.org.

To learn more about this opportunity and discuss your qualifications and interest, potential applicants are encouraged to send a copy of their curriculum vitae to SUNYPurchaseVPIA@academicsearch.org for review by Senior Consultants, Dr. Tara Singer and Ms. Lisa Ryan.

More information can be found on the Academic Search webpage. The salary range for this position is $200,000 – $225,000.

SUNY Purchase is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual’s race, color, national origin, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction.

Employees, students, applicants, or other members of the SUNY Purchase community (including vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic. To view the entire policy, please visit the following website: SUNY Purchase Human Resources Policies and Procedures website.

Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. SUNY Purchase is an AA/EEO employer. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, without exception, prepare, publish, and distribute an Annual Security Report. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three years, and the availability of the University’s current campus security policies. SUNY Purchase’s Annual Security Report is available on the SUNY Purchase NYS University Police Website.