Human Resources

Principal Gift Officer

Department

Advancement

Overview

The Principal Gifts officer is responsible for building and cultivating long term relationships with donors who have the capacity to make transformative gift in their lifetime ($1M+). The Principal Gift Officer is a senior fundraiser in the office of advancement expected to work in close coordination with College leadership including the President, Provost, Vice President for Advancement, Vice President for Finance, and other campus partners.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement, the Principal Gifts Officer will provide creative and visionary leadership for College wide fundraising. The position helps develop and actively manage a portfolio with approximately 50 major/principal gift prospects rated with a capacity of 250K+. The Principal Gift Officer must be willing to travel extensively in the local area, as well as national travel as assigned. The position also arranges and accompanies college leadership, including the President, in prospect work and meetings.

The Principal Gift Officer will support the launch and execution of campaign leadership briefings in coordination with advancement leadership. The position will also develop an emeritus trustee program to recognize members for their significant contributions and leadership volunteerism to the College. The Principal Gift Officer will have a specific focus on principal gift stewardship working collaboratively with Donor Relations and will be charged with developing a $1M club and individualized stewardship plans for $1M prospects and donors.

This position has supervisory responsibilities and will oversee a team of development officers.

Responsibilities

  • Create moves management/strategy with approximately 50 potential individual prospects through identification, qualification, cultivation, and stewardship cycles. Forge long term relationships with these individuals to cultivate their interest in the College that will lead to principal gift solicitations ($1M+).
  • Actively maintain a portfolio of principal gift prospects, particularly where there are multiple complex College relationships. Grow opportunities to have college wide philanthropic impact through thoughtful, experienced prospect management.
  • Promotes planned giving and has an understanding/expertise in deferred vehicles and the role they can play in supporting visionary gifts. Partners regularly with Gift Planning team as appropriate.
  • Advise key College leaders on opportunities for their involvement with specific fundraising and engagement events and initiatives with top prospects. Partners with college leadership on arranging and executing visits with principal gift prospects.
  • Directly supervises a team of development officers. Provides leadership around moves management, metrics, and fundraising priorities. Administers measurement of goals for development officers and adheres to personal goals as well.
  • Completes a minimum of 8-12 visits per month with prospects.
  • Submits a minimum of 12 proposals per year.
  • Collaborates with college leadership on campaign planning and execution. Responsible for supporting leadership briefings during the feasibility phase of the campaign.
  • Develop and lead an emeritus trustee program in partnership with College leadership to recognize their significant contributions and past engagement.
  • Lead principal gift stewardship in partnership with advancement leadership and donor relations. Create stewardship plans and strategy for top prospects and campaign planning. Establish a $1M club.
  • Spends considerable time traveling locally and nationally.
  • Documents all contacts in Raiser’s Edge per established Advancement Office guidelines, policies, and procedures.
  • Manage donor relationships according to Advancement Office’s established prospect management guidelines, policies, and procedures.
  • Develop a thorough knowledge of Ursinus College history, academic and extracurricular programs, and its faculty, students, and administration; maintain a thorough understanding of the College’s current priorities and initiatives of the faculty and administration.
  • Attend and support appropriate alumni and donor engagement events related to assigned responsibilities; participates in departmental and professional training programs to increase expertise in profession.

Requirements and Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required.
  • More than 10 years of fundraising experience required, with preference for experience in higher education.
  • Experience managing a major/principal gift portfolio utilizing metrics and relationship building skills to maximize strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of $1 million plus donors and transformational gifts.
  • Experience in campaigns.
  • A deep understanding of and commitment to an integrated advancement program and experience in complex major higher education.
  • Experience working to sustain strong working relationships with staff, donors, faculty, volunteers, and academic leadership is imperative.
  • Ability to lead peers and collaborate with staff in a manner that instills confidence and empowers to achieve through challenges and tough situations. Help direct reports to achieve full potential and attain high individual and team performance goals.
  • Self-starting strategic thinker whose hallmark qualities include being a self-starter, persistent, creative, personable, and possessing a desire to succeed.
  • Must possess exceptional written and verbal communication skills and an ability to relate to a variety of people of all ages and backgrounds.
  • A valid driver’s license and use of personal car.
  • Ability to sit for extended periods at personal computer performing related functions.
  • Availability and flexibility to travel regularly.
  • Ability to work evenings and/or weekends, as necessary.

Departmental Accountabilities:

  • Works collaboratively with colleagues and team members in the Advancement office and throughout the College. Participates in Advancement Office meetings and other key College staff meetings.
  • Understands the importance of building a culture of philanthropy.
  • Possesses knowledge and experience with computer programs that support the Advancement Department including Microsoft Office programs and Raiser’s Edge.

Application

Interested Candidates should apply here.

Ursinus is an AA/EO employer. Ursinus College does not discriminate on grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, creed, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, disability, or other classification protected by applicable law in the administration of any of its educational programs or activities or with respect to employment.