"Principal Gifts Officer"

POSITION SUMMARY

The Principal Gifts Officer is primarily responsible for nurturing top donor prospects, securing the institution's largest gifts (typically in the $1M-$10M range) and leading collaborative fundraising efforts across Le Moyne College.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead strategy and execution for securing philanthropic investments of $1M and above in alignment with institutional priorities.
• Manage a portfolio of 75 principal gift-level donors and prospects, including influential volunteers and community partners.
• Evaluate and recommend tailored giving opportunities, including complex gift structures, to maximize donor impact.
• Coordinate cultivation and solicitation efforts, serving as the primary relationship manager for top-tier donors.
• Develop individualized engagement strategies for high-capacity prospects in collaboration with academic and administrative leaders.
• Facilitate meaningful connections between donors and campus representatives to deepen engagement and inspire investment.
• Prepare proposals, donor agreements, and stewardship materials in collaboration with the Donor Relations and Stewardship team.
• Promote positive, long-term relationships through ongoing communication and personalized stewardship experiences.
• Partner with leadership to identify fundraising priorities and shared prospects.
• Serve as a strategic advisor on campaign initiatives, ensuring alignment across institutional stakeholders.
• Facilitate collaboration between academic deans, faculty, and Advancement staff to implement integrated engagement strategies.
• Participate in institutional planning related to fundraising goals, donor messaging, and high-level volunteer involvement.
• Support and guide senior-level volunteers in their efforts to engage and solicit principal gift prospects.
• Leverage networks of alumni, trustees, and volunteers to open doors to new philanthropic opportunities.
• Provide leadership in planning and executing volunteer-led donor engagement initiatives tied to campaign goals.
• Track donor engagement and solicitation progress using Slate, the advancement database.
• Document prospect interactions, prepare briefing materials, and ensure data accuracy in accordance with prospect management protocols.
• Monitor progress toward individual and campaign fundraising goals, providing regular reports to the Vice President.
• Align travel and outreach plans with data-informed strategies to optimize engagement and giving outcomes.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required; Master’s degree in related field preferred.
• 9+ years of experience in face-to-face fundraising, business, corporate development, foundations, or grants; or a combination of relevant education and experience totaling at least thirteen years
• Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major individual and institutional donors for gifts of $1M or more
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Articulate and persuasive written and oral presentation skills
• Genuine affinity for the mission of Le Moyne College, able to learn and understand priorities and to advocate and articulate them to donors and prospects
• Collaborative problem solver; bring an entrepreneurial approach to designing personal donor engagement strategies
• Innovative, self-motivated, able to manage multiple projects well, working both independently and as a team member
• Creative, positive outlook
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, work ethic
• Time-sensitive, goal oriented, deadline driven
• Highly sensitive to confidential information
• Maintain valid U.S. Drivers’ License, willingness to travel 60+ days a year. Evening, weekend work required.

Pay Range

$110,000 - $135,000 annually

Application Instructions

To apply for this position please go to the link, click the 'Apply Now' button and submit the required materials for consideration: Cover letter outlining your interest in the position, Current resume, Contact information for 3 professional references