Assistant Vice President Principal Gifts

Job Summary

The Assistant Vice President for Principal Gifts provides strategic leadership for the University's Principal Gifts program, developing and executing an institution-wide strategy to secure transformational investments of $1,000,000 and above in support of the University's mission, strategic plan, and campaign priorities. Serving as the University's authority on principal gift fundraising, the Assistant Vice President partners with the President, the Senior Vice President and Vice President for University Advancement, and academic and administrative leadership to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward the University's most significant donors and prospects.

The Assistant Vice President leads and manages principal gift officers and support staff, sets the strategic direction and operating plan for the program, engages and supports key volunteer leadership, and represents the University in its highest-level philanthropic relationships.

• Provides strategic leadership for the development and execution of a comprehensive, University-wide strategy to secure principal-level investments of $1,000,000 and above in support of institutional and campaign priorities.
• Serves as the University's Subject Matter Expert (SME) on principal gift strategy, advising the President, Vice President for University Advancement, and academic/administrative leadership on approach, timing, and readiness of top prospects.
• Manages a personal portfolio of the University's most significant donors and prospects, providing leadership for highly complex, multi-million dollar gift solicitations and negotiations.
• Works across university leadership, both academic and non-academic, to identify, cultivate, and engage donor prospects capable of principal-level giving; serves as lead facilitator and manager of cultivation and solicitation activity spanning multiple colleges, schools, and units.
• Leads and manages the design, implementation, and continued evolution of the University's principal gifts operating plan, including measurable annual and long-term goals, metrics, and benchmarks.
• Develops strong, positive relationships with University leadership and volunteers; recruits, trains, and coordinates the activities of key volunteer leadership, including Foundation Trustees and campaign committee members.
• Leads collaborative efforts to develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for prospects shared across multiple colleges, schools, and units, facilitating action plans and monitoring implementation.
• Provides leadership in the stewardship and oversight of principal-level gifts, ensuring alignment with donor intent and University priorities.
• Serves as a key member of the Development senior leadership team, helping shape and adhering to university-wide prospect management guidelines for cultivation and stewardship.
• Establishes and implements policies and procedures governing principal gift fundraising activity across the University, recommending changes to senior leadership as needed.
• Evaluates complex gift opportunities and giving vehicles, recommending the most suitable structure for a particular donor in partnership with gift administration and legal/tax colleagues.
• Monitors and reports progress toward institutional and campaign revenue goals to the Vice President and senior advancement leadership.
• Directs the preparation of proposals, gift agreements, and stewardship materials for principal-level gifts, collaborating with Foundation Campaign Planning, Communications, and Donor Relations colleagues.
• Documents contact and prospect moves, tracking progress in the University's donor database and ensuring adherence to university-wide prospect management guidelines and protocols.
• Develops and implements a strategically planned travel schedule to meet with prospects and donors on campus, nationally, and internationally.
• Directs and supervises principal gift officers and assigned support staff. Responsible for recruiting, training, mentoring, and conducting performance evaluations to ensure the team meets measurable annual and long-term fundraising metrics.
• May handle donated funds in the form of checks or negotiable securities; accesses and maintains strict confidentiality of gift and donor information.
• Represents the University and/or Foundation at high-level public functions, events, and meetings as needed.
• Keeps abreast of current best practices and emerging trends in principal gift fundraising, evaluating new approaches for potential implementation
• Attends all required development meetings and contributes to broader strategic and campaign planning discussions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in an appropriate specialization and six years of experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate specialization and eight years of experience.