Assistant Director, Principal Gifts
Brown University
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https://brown.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/staff-careers-brown/job/South-Street-Landing/Assistant-Director--Principal-Gifts_REQ210482
Job Description:
The Assistant Director, Principal Gifts, plays a pivotal role in
driving the strategic coordination, portfolio progression, and
execution of Brown University's Principal Gifts program. This
critical program generates over 50% of the Division of
Advancement's annual new gifts and pledges, manages an active,
comprehensive pipeline exceeding $1 billion, and delivers annual
fundraising results in excess of $250 million. Working in close
partnership with Senior Directors for Principal Gifts, the
Associate Vice Presidents, the Vice President for Development, the
Senior Vice President for Advancement, and other members of the
executive leadership team in the Division, this position plays a
key role in designing and executing high-level strategies that
advance the University's most significant philanthropic
opportunities.
The Assistant Director serves as a strategic partner and secondary
manager for a portfolio of approximately 100-150 highly rated
principal and major gift prospects. Working in support of Senior
Directors for Principal Gifts, Advancement leadership (including
the Vice President and/or Associate Vice Presidents), and other
senior fundraising leaders who serve as primary relationship
managers, the Assistant Director facilitates and advances all
stages of the fundraising cycle, including strategy development,
cultivation planning, solicitation preparation, stewardship
coordination, and donor engagement activities. The incumbent
collaborates extensively with fundraising colleagues and University
leaders to ensure high-value prospects receive coordinated,
personalized, and effective engagement aligned with institutional
priorities and donor interests.
A core responsibility of the position is to orchestrate and staff
the University's principal gift strategy process. The Assistant
Director is responsible for monthly principal gift meetings with
the President, Provost, Senior Vice President for Advancement, Vice
President for Development, and other senior Development and
University leaders. Responsibilities include agenda development,
principal gift pipeline management and reporting, strategic
briefing preparation, meeting coordination, and timely follow-up to
ensure effective execution of fundraising priorities and
advancement of key opportunities with principal gift
prospects.
The position also drives the ongoing optimization of the principal
gifts program through pipeline analysis, fundraising performance
tracking, proposal development, stewardship planning, and strategic
reporting. In partnership with Donor Relations, Individual
Stewardship, and fundraising colleagues across the Division of
Advancement, the Assistant Director helps ensure that the
University's most significant donors receive highly personalized
stewardship and engagement that strengthen long-term relationships
and enhance future philanthropic potential.
This position requires substantial knowledge of the University,
Presidential priorities, and the critical internal and external
constituents that enable a substantive principal gift program. The
incumbent must exercise sound judgment, discretion, and strategic
thinking while coordinating complex fundraising activities
involving senior University leaders, faculty, volunteers, and
donors. Success in this role requires exceptional organizational
skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, attention
to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a
dynamic, highly collaborative environment.
This position is located in Providence, RI.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree required or equivalent combination of
education and experience.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in a related field such as
fundraising, advancement, development, development operations,
donor relations, sales, customer relationship management, nonprofit
management, or a related field.
3 years of direct development experience required.
Job Competencies
- Demonstrated experience supporting complex fundraising,
relationship management, donor engagement, stewardship, project
management, or strategic initiatives. Coordinate complex projects
involving multiple stakeholders and evolving priorities. Providing
an entrepreneurial approach to fundraising.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication
skills, including the ability to prepare executive-level briefings,
donor correspondence, reports, and presentations. Strong project
management, organizational, and analytical skills, with
demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and competing
deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work effectively with senior leaders, faculty,
volunteers, donors, and colleagues across a complex organization
while exercising sound judgment, professionalism, and
discretion.
- Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google
Workspace, spreadsheets, databases, and constituent relationship
management systems. Strong information management, reporting, and
data analysis skills.
- Ability to build productive relationships and collaborate
effectively across organizational boundaries. Support and influence
outcomes through collaboration, coordination, and relationship
management. Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion
in handling sensitive donor, prospect, and institutional
information.
- Strong strategic thinking, judgment, and problem-solving
skills. Excellent organizational, planning, and execution
capabilities.Demonstrated initiative, professionalism, discretion,
and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently while managing multiple
priorities and adapting to changing circumstances. Synthesize
complex information and communicate effectively to a variety of
audiences, including senior leaders.
- Must be able and willing to work occasional evenings and
weekends.
- Must be able and willing to travel throughout the United
States.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in higher education advancement, principal gifts,
major gifts, donor relations, campaign management, or a similarly
complex fundraising environment.
- Experience supporting senior fundraising leaders or
executive-level strategy processes.
- Knowledge of Blackbaud CRM or similar fundraising database
systems.
- Experience using AI-powered tools to support proposal writing,
build presentations, and administrative workflows.
- Familiarity with principal gift fundraising, campaign planning,
donor stewardship, and prospect management practices.
Background Check: All offers of employment are contingent
upon a successful criminal background check and education
verification satisfactory to Brown.
Additional Information: Please submit a resume and cover
letter when applying for this position.
Read more about the benefits of
working at Brown here.
Benefits of Working at Brown:
Please review additional information on the
Benefits of Working at
Brown.
Recruiting Start Date:
2026-07-24
Job Posting Title:
Assistant Director, Principal Gifts
Department:
Advancement
Grade:
Grade 11
Worker Type:
Employee
Worker Sub-Type:
Regular
Time Type:
Full time
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
37.5
Position Work Location:
Hybrid
Submission Guidelines:
The designated
Position Work
Location for each position determines the approved modality
of work. Positions are classified based on the operational and
business needs of the department and may be designated as on-site,
hybrid, or remote.
Employees with a designated position work location as remote must
reside and perform their work in a state where Brown University is
registered to do business. Brown University is a registered
employer in the following states: Rhode Island, California,
Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington, D.C.
Please note that to be considered for a staff position at Brown
University, you must submit a separate application for each
position you wish to be considered for. Applications are reviewed
only for the specific position to which they are submitted and are
not automatically considered for future openings.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Still Have Questions?
If you have any questions you may contact
employment@brown.edu.
Brown is an E-Verify Employer.
EEO Statement:
Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits
discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person's
race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin,
disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity,
gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under
applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs,
and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals
on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University
maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with
applicable law.
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