Philanthropic Strategy and Principal Gifts Officer

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Summary

University Advancement builds support and affinity for UCCS through coordinated community engagement, alumni outreach, donor relations, and strategic partnerships. The Philanthropic Strategy and Principal Gifts Officer leads the development and securement of significant and principal gifts in partnership with the campus senior leadership team. The Officer collaborates closely with Advancement colleagues, campus leadership and central advancement staff to strategically coordinate engagement, cultivation and stewardship for the university's most significant donors who are interested in supporting UCCS' strategic priorities aligned with campus and division priorities. This position is critical in securing lead gifts, leading strategy for top prospects, peer mentoring, and partnering with development staff to scale major gifts support and is responsible for implementing vision for targeted initiatives by co-developing strategy. This role ensures cohesive donor-centric fundraising guidance across the organization, while also managing a personal portfolio of high-capacity donors to secure major and principal gifts.

This position promotes a culture of teamwork around shared and individual success, advances a donor-centric culture, drives pipeline development, and supports cross-functional initiatives across engagement, philanthropy, and public-private partnerships, leveraging leadership influence. Through leadership, collaboration, and disciplined portfolio management, the Philanthropic Strategy and Principal Gifts Officer strengthens philanthropic investment in UCCS and enhances the institution's long-term trajectory of advancement.

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

(65%) Fundraising & Donor Portfolio Management

• Manage a personal portfolio of approximately 50+ high-capacity prospects capable of making major and principal gifts.
• Lead and contribute to UCCS strategy for a cross-campus portfolio of 50+ high-capacity prospects capable of making major and principal gifts.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and close significant complex gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations to advance institutional mission and strategic initiatives.
• Develop individualized strategies for engaging and stewarding high-net-worth donors and organizational partners; conduct initial engagement (e.g., cold outreach) where appropriate.
• Cultivate new and existing relationships to build, sustain, and deepen affinity with donors, alumni, corporate partners, and community leaders to grow philanthropic investment.
• Lead and assist in the development of complex proposals for soliciting individual, corporate, or foundation prospects, using knowledge from varied sources to ensure they are accurate and complete.
• Meet personal fundraising performance goals while supporting the achievement of team-wide fundraising outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Portfolio Intelligence team to evaluate prospects, analyze giving potential, and strengthen UCCS's overall prospect pool.
• In coordination with Donor Relations, develop and implement enhanced bespoke stewardship strategies for significant donors and coordinate engagement actions with the appropriate office (President, Provost, Dean, etc.) and Advancement Foundation.

(25%) Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Provide peer coaching and strategic fundraising guidance for the Major Gifts team in partnership with the Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Engagement (VCAE) and the Sr. Director of Development in alignment with fundraising priorities, institutional and advancement goals.
• Foster a collaborative, mission-driven, donor-centric culture grounded in best practices, innovation, accountability, and shared purpose.
• Support the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Engagement in securing top-level donor commitments by leading internal campus collaborative conversations, gaining institutional support and structures to implement philanthropic initiatives or programs.
• Collaborate with the Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Engagement and Division leadership to establish fundraising and engagement strategies for colleges, divisions, programs, and institutional initiatives.
• Responsible for leading assigned strategies through influence and collaboration across the organization and within the community.
• Selectively partner with division leadership to support operational modeling, workflow improvements, and project-based initiatives that enhance efficiency and unit impact.
• Contribute to cross-functional initiatives to strengthen the major-gift pipelines and public private partnerships.
• Represent University Advancement and Engagement at CU System events, campus committees, and high-level leadership engagements as needed.

(10%) Operational Accountability & Data Integrity

• Manage multiple, complex tasks simultaneously while anticipating deadlines and maintaining proactive communication with stakeholders.
• Ensure timely, accurate documentation of development activity, including strategies, contact reports, proposals, pledges, and fund agreements, in accordance with institutional and industry standards (e.g., Donor Bill of Rights).
• Maintain strict confidentiality and uphold all professional and ethical standards in donor engagement.
• Use CRM systems and Microsoft Office tools to support analysis, reporting, portfolio development, and team management.

Tentative Search Timeline

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by: October 1, 2026
• Potential virtual first round interview dates: October 6-8, 2026
• Potential in-person second round interview dates: October 12-14, 2026
• Potential start date: November 1, 2026

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.

Qualifications :

• A bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
  
  
• Demonstrated record of top-level fundraising leadership in a complex organizational environment is required.
  
  
• Proven experience managing and mentoring professional staff within a development, fundraising, or advancement environment is required.
  
  
• Proficiency with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce/Ascend) and advanced Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) is required.
  
  
• Experience securing major gifts ( $50,000+) in Higher Education is preferred.
  
  
• Experience working with a Board of Directors, or similar governance bodies, is preferred.
  
  
• Graduate-level coursework or a related advanced degree is preferred.
  
  
• Prior Higher Education management experience and/or previous service or volunteer involvement with UCCS is desirable.
  
  

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs has implemented a misconduct history check program with respect to final candidates for specific appointments. The misconduct history check program is intended to allow UCCS to collect and review information about a candidate's conduct at their previous institutions, specifically conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or discrimination – before making hiring decisions. All final candidates to these appointments are required to complete an Authorization to Release Information and provide contact information for their previous institutions.