"Senior Director of Principal Gifts"

Job Details

Senior Director of Principal Gifts

The Senior Director of Principal Gifts reports to the Senior Executive Director of Development and is a key member of the Principal Gifts team within the Office of Development & Alumni Relations (DAR). This role provides strategic leadership in the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of principal gift prospects university-wide. The Senior Director partners with fundraisers and university leadership to develop and implement donor-centric strategies that align institutional priorities with donor passions. The position also supports and mentors fundraisers across campus, helping advance principal gift conversations and providing guidance on proposals, engagement strategies, and stewardship. The role also requires donor-facing work, focusing on a strategic portfolio of prospects and ensuring the division’s fundraising efforts are effective, coordinated, and impactful.

Special Instructions to Applicants

• This position is structured as a permanent position within the Division of Development & Alumni Relations. We are unable to sponsor a work visa for this position.
• While this position is primarily based in Athens, GA, the hiring unit is open to considering a mobile work arrangement for candidates residing anywhere within the United States of America.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred or bachelor’s degree and 7 years of related higher education experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience related to sales, marketing, development, business administration, higher education, project management, or relationship management
• Experience with comprehensive campaigns is a plus
• Knowledge of private funding landscape in higher education
• Ability to establish the trust of colleagues and build strong relationships with key faculty/staff

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Strong people management skills and time management skills
• Ability to cultivate and solicit private gifts from high-level prospects
• Knowledge of IRS rules and regulations regarding charitable gifts and non-profit organizations
• Initiative-taker and highly motivated
• Collaborative style combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment
• Excellent writing skills with extreme attention to detail and confident, strong verbal communication
• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible
• Collaborative strategist able to effectively manage complex situations
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple projects
• Analytical, with adherence to self-guided goals and deadlines
• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities
• Ability to maintain high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to university business and confidential donor and prospect information
• Skilled using Microsoft Office products such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Creative thinker with ability to receive constructive feedback on ideas
• Ability to respond to donors needs and concerns in a kind and professional way
• Ability to work effectively in both leadership and support roles, adapting to team and organizational needs

Additional Division Expectations

• Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.
• Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting are expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.

Physical Demands

• Work in a standard office environment
• Travel in and out of state
• Work nights and weekends as necessary
• Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening
• Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail; multi-task
• Lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb

Duties/Responsibilities

(30%) Principal Gift Fundraising Note: Fundraising goals are established annually

• Engage in donor-facing development efforts for a strategic, small portfolio of prospects not necessarily limited by territory, primarily in a mentoring/support capacity; portfolio size may fluctuate with team needs.
• Participate in prospect visits and donor meetings on campus and off-site as appropriate.
• Collaborate with fundraisers and university leadership to identify, prioritize, and solicit principal gift prospects.
• Identify donors that have potential for increased giving to a principal gift level.

(60%) University-Wide Principal Gift Strategy and Pipeline Management

• Maintain in-depth awareness of strategies, engagements, and next steps for prospects in the university’s principal gift pipeline.
• Work with fundraisers and the DAR Prospect Management team to ensure prospect strategies and activity are clearly documented and progressing in the giving and alumni database (GAIL) CRM system.
• Proactively monitor the division’s principal gift pipeline health, flagging areas where action is needed and help troubleshoot stalled progress.
• Partner with fundraisers across campus to develop and implement donor-centric strategies for principal gift prospects, helping coordinate support from university partners for proposals and donor engagement.
• Lead prospect strategy sessions, mentor fundraisers, and deliver training workshops on topics such as, but not limited to identifying high-potential prospects, starting blended gift conversations, crafting proposals for key priorities, and leveraging gift vehicles like IRAs and donor-advised funds.
• Provide direct support for proposals, funding menus, donor presentations, and other materials to advance gift conversations.
• Identify and recommend events, engagement opportunities, and recognition moments to advance donor conversations.
• Model and encourage best practices in CRM usage (e.g., logging interactions, tracking progress, entering meeting notes and next steps).
• Partner with DAR Donor Relations and unit teams to guide effective stewardship strategies; monitor principal gift stewardship for quality and timeliness.
• Assess development resources and expertise across schools/colleges/units and identify areas for additional support.
• Collaborate with university leadership and unit development teams to understand institutional fundraising priorities.
• Help identify current and potential principal gift prospects aligned with those priorities.
• Work with fundraisers to craft and execute effective, donor-centered fundraising plans for these opportunities.

(10%) Operational Responsibilities

• Complete managerial processes critical to travel, scheduled meetings, and fundraising performance.
  • Complete telephone/correspondence/preparation/follow-up; record meetings, interactions, and plans in GAIL in a thorough and timely manner after the completion of individual meetings and/or trips.
  • Prepare timely, accurate, and relevant proposals, presentations, and other fund-raising materials as needed for solicitation.
  • Develop a strategy or plan for each prospect assigned with a written solicitation strategy in place for each person.
• Attend university events and development staff meetings as required.
• Participate in university events and programs, as well as continuing education as needed.

About the University of Georgia

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the Division of Development and Alumni Relations

The Division of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Georgia advances the goals, objectives, and priorities of the university by generating private financial support, building, and maintaining relationships with alumni and donors, and assisting students with career development opportunities.