Executive Brief

Senior Director of Development, School of Science
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the nation’s first and one of the world’s most renowned technological research universities where students, faculty, and alumni have been defining scientific and technological advances for nearly 200 years. RPI boasts a legacy of changemakers confronting the most pressing problems facing humanity and the planet. Established in 1824 by Stephen Van Rensselaer and Amos Eaton, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private research university located in Troy, New York. Built on a hillside, RPI’s 276-acre campus overlooks the city of Troy, the Hudson River, and the Capital Region. Students at RPI can choose from more than 140 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across five schools as well as programs and certificates for working professionals. Beyond the classroom, Rensselaer develops technological leaders who are global citizens prepared to change the world with more than 200 student-led clubs, 50+ club sports, NCAA athletic teams including Division I men’s and women’s hockey and 21 teams that compete in Division III. With more than 110,000 living alumni, some of RPI’s most notable alumni were behind innovations that have improved everyday lives—from the Transcontinental Railroad and the Brooklyn Bridge to baking powder and the digital camera.

RPI – Leadership Spotlight

Martin A. Schmidt, B.S. '81, Ph.D.
President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Martin A. Schmidt became the 19th President of Rensselaer on July 1, 2022. Formerly, the provost of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Schmidt was MIT’s senior academic and budget officer, with overall responsibility for the Institute’s educational programs, as well as for the recruitment, promotion, and tenuring of faculty. As provost, he worked closely with MIT’s deans to establish academic priorities, and with other members of the Institute’s senior team to manage financial planning and research support. Read Schmidt's full biography here.

Institutional Advancement at RPI

In the spring of 2023, RPI began rebuilding the Institutional Advancement division as part of the “Invest to Grow” initiative. The division had been significantly reduced in previous years in terms of staff, programs, and infrastructure due to budget cuts related to the crossover and the pandemic. The main goal behind the new investments in advancement was both immediate fundraising benefits and increased alumni engagement in the near and long term. Over the past three years, investments have focused on expanding the IA team (from 32 to 84 members), adopting new technologies, improving and broadening programs, and applying industry best practices. When RPI Forward was publicly launched in July 2025, it emphasized three key areas for the five-year plan, including “enhance alumni engagement and philanthropy.” 

As noted in the strategic plan, “We will create a robust alumni community that we can leverage to build a stronger student and lifelong experience. When we think about community, we must connect with and inspire our alumni. They are foundational community members: students, faculty, and staff alike have learned so much from our alumni's accomplishments, experiences, perspectives, and advice. We will work to engender mutual pride and connection as part of our shared future success. To generate the resources necessary for our next decade of growth, we must also strengthen our bonds with foundations, corporations, and other sources of charitable giving.”

The successful growth of alumni engagement and philanthropy will strengthen RPI today and for decades to come.

In 2023, RPI decided to move forward with the second phase of its ongoing campaign. In October 2025, RPI officially launched RPI Forward – A Campaign for Our Third Century, with a goal to raise $1.5 billion. This comprehensive effort aligns with RPI Forward's academic priorities and will provide vital philanthropic support in the upcoming years. Beyond immediate fundraising and alumni engagement results, RPI has involved a diverse group of campus leaders in advancement efforts, which will benefit the institution for decades by increasing campus involvement and alumni participation. RPI has created innovative stewardship programs to thank donors and encourage giving and introduced new technologies to enhance all advancement activities.

Since reinvesting in advancement, RPI has seen significant positive results across nearly all key metrics, which are highlighted below for the FY23 to FY25 timeframe:

  • Fundraising commitments have increased by 40% (FY23 = $50.7M to FY25 = $71.2M)
  • Fundraising cash has increased by 14% (FY23 = $54.M to FY25 = $62.8M)
  • Alumni engagement has increased 26% (FY23 = 17,348 to FY25 = 21,852)

The mission of Institute Advancement at RPI is to engage and inspire our community through partnerships and philanthropy to enhance RPI’s impact on society. The culture of Institute Advancement is guided by our shared values of trust, respect, humor, high-achieving and appreciation. Our vision is to be recognized as a global leader in engagement and philanthropy, positioning RPI as a world-class institution that empowers brilliant minds to address society’s most pressing challenges.

Advancement Leadership Spotlights

Matthew J. Ter Molen
Vice President, Institute Advancement

The vice president for institute advancement is responsible for oversight of the division of advancement, including strategy, services, and infrastructure; alumni relations, engagement and communications; and development, focusing on, individual, corporate, foundation, and international advancement initiatives through philanthropic support of the Institute.

Matthew J. Ter Molen has more than 30 years of expertise in development and fundraising. Most recently, he was the Chief Advancement Officer and Senior Vice President at Syracuse University, where he served for more than eight years. In this role, he oversaw all alumni relations and development activities, including the planning, launch, and execution of the $1.5 billion University-wide campaign "Forever Orange," which raised more in private philanthropy than at any other time in Syracuse University history. Prior to Syracuse, Ter Molen held a range of positions at Northwestern University, the most recent being the Associate Vice President and Campaign Manager. Ter Molen's career began at the University at Chicago in their annual giving office. 

Ter Molen holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Miami University in Ohio, and served in the Peace Corps in Honduras for two years prior to the start of his career in fundraising. 

John Prizner
Associate Vice President, Advancement & Constituent Development

John Prizner is a performance-driven, collaborative advancement leader with more than 25 years of experience. His approach emphasizes authentic, inspirational leadership and deep relationship-building, qualities that have defined his success in leading complex development operations and fostering transformational philanthropic partnerships across higher education and the nonprofit sector.

Before joining Rensselaer, Prizner spent more than eight years at Syracuse University, first serving as Assistant Dean for Advancement in the Whitman School of Management and later playing an instrumental role in developing the university’s principal gifts program. As Syracuse’s first Senior Principal Gifts Officer, he led high-level donor strategy and institutional engagement, leveraging campus leadership to strengthen the university’s capacity to secure transformative philanthropy. He previously held several key leadership roles in major and principal gift development at the University at Buffalo School of Management and Canisius University, including Assistant Dean and Director of Development, Senior Director of Development, and Director of Development. Across these institutions, Prizner played key roles in campaign planning and principal gifts strategy, contributing to multiple large-scale comprehensive campaigns and institutional fundraising priorities.

Prizner holds a Master of Science in Public Relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Sociology from Canisius University.

Since joining Rensselaer in June 2023, Prizner has established and led the Institute’s constituent development program, overseeing the strategic design, staffing, and execution of school- and unit-based advancement initiatives. He is responsible for hiring, managing, and coaching constituent development officers to meet annual cash and overall commitment goals. Working collaboratively with the President, the Athletic Director, Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, and other academic and administrative leaders, Prizner works across campus leadership to advance transformational philanthropic partnerships that unite academic, research, and institutional priorities. His work strengthens the Institute’s philanthropic goals through annual giving, campaign commitments, research collaborations, and mission-aligned revenue opportunities.

RPI's School of Science

Housed at the nation’s first technological university – and one of the world’s most renowned – the RPI School of Science offers 13 undergraduate majors and 19 distinct graduate programs alongside a bold and collaborative research enterprise. Fueled by engaged faculty and accomplished researchers, the School provides a strong foundation in scientific education while offering rich and diverse opportunities for students to learn by doing – an approach known as The Rensselaer Distinction, a philosophy that traces its roots back nearly two centuries when the Institute’s earliest students conducted experiments along the banks of the Hudson River. Students enter research laboratories early in their academic careers to explore the mysteries of the natural world, develop fundamental scientific skills, and grow as inquisitive and critical thinkers prepared to make a meaningful impact on society.

The School pursues curiosity-driven investigations centered on some of humanity’s most compelling questions, with a commitment to translating discoveries into real-world applications. Moving seamlessly across disciplinary boundaries, faculty and researchers study issues of global significance – from biomanufacturing to biological neuroscience, from the dynamics of galaxies to the circadian rhythms of life, and from artificial intelligence to quantum computing and beyond. Through this work, the RPI School of Science advances discovery and innovation while addressing the challenges of tomorrow through the scientific breakthroughs of today.

School of Science – Leadership Spotlight

Steve Tait
Dean of the School of Science

Steven Tait is RPI’s Dean of Science. He was previously Chair of the Department of Chemistry, Herman T. Briscoe Professor of Chemistry, and Associate Director of the Electron Microscopy Center at Indiana University.

A recognized leader in the field of surface chemistry, Tait applies advanced surface chemistry and catalysis techniques to global energy challenges. His latest research focuses on methods for generating novel single-atom catalysts for selective hydrocarbon chemistry. 

At Indiana University, Tait taught courses in general chemistry, physical chemistry, and surface chemistry. He was recognized in 2022 with IU’s James P. Holland and Morley Award for Exemplary Teaching and Service, which cited his history of commitment to the undergraduate educational experience.   

He served as co-chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Action and Advisory Committee in the College of Arts and Sciences and was involved in strategic planning initiatives at IU, including the advisory board for the IU Launch Accelerator for Bioscience and working groups for the IU 2030 Plan.   

Tait is a member of the editorial board for the journal Surface Science and is an editor of Surface Science Reports. He is an active member of the American Chemical Society and was recently named Fellow of the American Vacuum Society, in recognition of his contributions to the surface chemistry and catalysis research communities.        

Tait received a Bachelor of Science degree in Honors Physics from Brigham Young University. He went on to graduate studies at the University of Washington, receiving his Ph.D. in Physics. He then completed post-doctoral work at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Stuttgart, Germany, supported by fellowship awards from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Max Planck Society. 

The Opportunity: Senior Director of Development, School of Science

RPI – Senior DoD, School of Science – Job Description (PDF Download)

Job Summary

The Senior Director of Development for the School of Science will serve as the lead Advancement Officer in the school, responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive advancement program to secure philanthropic resources for the top priority projects of the Institute and the school. The Senior Director of Development will work cooperatively and collegially with members of the Institute’s Central Advancement Office to effectively build successful fundraising programs for the school. The Senior Director will lead on behalf of and support the Dean of the school on matters pertaining to school project fundraising. This role will carry a portfolio of approximately 85 major gift prospects who have the capacity to make gifts in the range of $100,000 to $2.49 million.

The Senior Director of Development, School of Science will report to the Associate Vice President, Advancement & Constituent Development, John Prizner, with a dotted line relationship to the Dean, School of Science, Steve Trait.

We are seeking candidates who will bring an entrepreneurial and innovative growth mindset to this role and who are aligned with Institutional Advancements values of trust, respect, humor, high-achieving and appreciation. The incumbent will join a highly collaborative team with a commitment to elevating a “best in class” advancement program.

  • Provide strategic leadership in securing major and principal philanthropic commitments, raising new gifts from prospects capable of commitments ranging from $100,000 to $2.49 million, and aligning donor interests with the School of Science’s highest academic, research, and institutional priorities.
     
  • Lead the design and execution of sophisticated cultivation and solicitation strategies, including the preparation, presentation, and submission of compelling gift proposals, and the conduct of strategic, pre‑planned, face‑to‑face engagements with high‑capacity individuals, families, corporations, and foundations.
     
  • Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the Dean, developing and articulating persuasive cases for support that clearly communicate the School of Science’s vision, priorities, and impact, and that advance the objectives of RPI Forward and the Institute’s long‑term strategic plan.
     
  • Serve as a member of the School of Science Dean’s Executive Leadership Team, working in close partnership with associate deans, senior faculty, and senior staff to shape school‑wide strategy, embed philanthropy into academic and research planning, and ensure alignment between advancement efforts and institutional leadership priorities.
     
  • Partner closely with the Dean and Institute Advancement leadership, including principal gifts, gift planning, regional, and annual development teams, to plan, direct, and implement an integrated fundraising strategy that advances the School of Science’s annual and campaign goals.
     
  • Lead stewardship for the School of Science, in close partnership with Institute Advancement staff, ensuring a coordinated, high‑touch stewardship program for major and principal gift donors that includes timely acknowledgment, meaningful engagement opportunities, and compelling impact reporting.
     
  • Provide exemplary stewardship of major and principal gift donors, strengthening donor confidence, promoting long‑term relationships, and supporting sustained giving, renewals, and upgrades in alignment with institutional best practices.
     
  • Mobilize and engage School of Science faculty and members of the Leadership Council as philanthropic partners, facilitating their involvement in donor strategy, proposal development, solicitation, and stewardship, and strengthening a culture of philanthropy across the school.
     
  • Identify, qualify, and develop new high‑capacity prospects for the School of Science, and coordinate their cultivation and solicitation through the Central Advancement Office, working collaboratively across Institute Advancement to execute a comprehensive development strategy, including:
     
    • Major and leadership annual giving
       
    • Corporate and foundation philanthropy
       
    • Planned giving
       
    • Alumni engagement
       
  • Provide leadership in prospect strategy and portfolio management, actively participating in and presenting at prospect strategy sessions, and contributing to coordinated moves management and long‑range pipeline development.
     
  • Maintain accountability for ambitious annual fundraising goals, consistent with those of a Senior Director of Development, including portfolio performance, revenue outcomes, activity metrics, and strategic progress toward campaign objectives.

Qualifications and Expectations

  • A commitment to the mission of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute—to educate the leaders of tomorrow for technologically based careers, celebrating discovery and the responsible application of technology to create knowledge and global prosperity;
     
  • Experience in higher education and history of cultivating and closing major gifts;
     
  • An ability to establish and maintain relationships with major gift prospects and to close gifts;
     
  • An ability to set priorities while also contributing to a team effort in Institute Advancement;
     
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills;
     
  • Strong organizational skills;
     
  • An ability to deal with technical information and to translate this information into a product salable to non-technical internal and external constituencies;
     
  • Flexibility in dealing with a wide variety of people;
     
  • An ability to process information quickly and accurately;
     
  • An ability to work effectively under pressure and meet established goals and objectives;
     
  • An ability to demonstrate an understanding of Rensselaer and its major initiatives;
     
  • an ability to multi-task, handle multiple projects and deadlines; and
     
  • An ability to thrive in a team environment.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least seven years of progressively responsible fundraising experience is preferred.

The hiring range for this position is $130,000 to $145,000 annually. Rensselaer provides this hiring range as a good faith estimate of what the starting pay will be offered to the successful candidate. Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Rensselaer is recognized locally and nationally for the depth and breadth of its compensation and benefits program. Its goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. Learn more here.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, New York. The position may have the opportunity for a hybrid working arrangement (a combination of on- and off-site).

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity is a core value at Rensselaer. The Institute is comprised of a diverse community with respect to ethnicity, race, culture, religion, national and geographic origin, gender, and gender identity. Its focus is on intellectual excellence and agility, multicultural sophistication, and a global view. That means that it is, and must always strive to be, a campus open to the full range of ideas and perspectives.

At Rensselaer, all members of the community are challenged to ask, why not change the world? To accomplish this, it seeks to engender intellectual agility, multicultural sophistication, and a global view in its students. This requires contributions from a rich diversity of persons, groups, and viewpoints. Fostering and nurturing this diversity, and the inclusive and collaborative environment required for it to reach its fullest potential, must be, and is, at the very core of Rensselaer’s mission and values as the nation’s first technological university.

Rensselaer strives to develop aspirational goals, strategies, actions, and initiatives which nurture and sustain a diverse and inclusive living, learning, and working environment that will ultimately help it make real progress in strengthening its efforts to become the most accessible, warm, welcoming, supportive, and inclusive community that it can be.

Applications & Nominations

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has partnered with Boyden Executive Search. For more information about this opportunity or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email:

Wendy Wilsker
Managing Partner, Boston
wwilsker@boyden.com
LinkedIn

Wendy Wilsker has dedicated her entire career to the non-profit sector, serving in leadership roles within charitable organizations and working alongside them as an executive recruiter and consultant. She excels at identifying the unique challenges and opportunities non-profits face, and partners with senior leadership to build successful organizational structures, teams and advancement programs.

Jill Coran
Principal, Boston
jcoran@boyden.com
LinkedIn


Jill Coran brings a broad foundation in human resources and executive search to our Boston team, enabling her to make valuable contributions to search assignments. She is adept at understanding client needs, researching and identifying high-level potential candidates, and shepherding the search process with integrity and professionalism. In searches for hard-to-fill roles, her tenacity is invaluable.

Don’t check off all the boxes or meet every single requirement? We have learned that potential candidates hesitate when applying for a job unless they meet every single requirement. If this opportunity excites you, but your background may not be a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply.

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