"Senior Director, Principal Gifts"

Job Description

Position Type: Admin/Professional

Department: Development

Full or Part Time: Full Time

Pay Grade: MN15

Summary:

The Senior Director of Principal Gifts is a strategic leader responsible for securing transformational philanthropic investments in support of the institution’s mission and priorities. This individual manages relationships with a portfolio of ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families capable of making principal-level gifts (e.g., $1M+). Working closely with institutional leadership, faculty, and senior development colleagues, the Senior Director ensures the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors align with the institution’s long-term goals.

Principal Functional Responsibilities:

Principal Gifts Management: Develop and execute customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for a portfolio of top-tier prospects. Partner with senior leadership, including the president, deans, and board members, to engage prospects effectively. Lead the preparation of high-impact proposals, presentations, and donor materials to articulate funding priorities. Implement complex gift negotiations, ensuring alignment with donor intent and institutional priorities.

Portfolio and Relationship Management: Manage a portfolio of approximately 100-125 major and principal gift prospects and donors, maintaining regular, meaningful contact. Leverage institutional networks to identify and connect with new principal gift prospects. Ensure tracking and documentation of all interactions in the institution’s CRM system.

Leadership and Collaboration: Work collaboratively with development colleagues, academic leaders, and program directors to identify and advance gift opportunities. Mentor and provide guidance to leadership, staff and volunteers on principal giving best practices and strategies. Contribute to the development of policies and procedures to enhance the effectiveness of the principal gifts program.

Donor Stewardship and Impact Reporting: Lead the development of tailored recognition and impact reports to principal donors. Assist and participate in donor engagement and recognition events. Ensure compliance with gift agreements and work closely with finance and legal teams as needed.

Miscellaneous Duties: Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, preferably with a significant focus on securing major or principal gifts from individuals, foundations and/or corporations in higher education, health sciences education or healthcare.
• Proven track record of securing gifts of $1M+ and managing high-level donor relationships.
• Experience working directly with senior leaders, volunteers, and boards.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, and database management
• Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in law, business, nonprofit management preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge software

Physical Requirements:

Requires limited travel to see out of town alumni and prospects, as well as occasional night and weekend events or assignments. Must be able to utilize a phone, computer and other office equipment.

Department Specific Information:

Starting salary range $119,064-$142,876, commensurate with experience.

To apply, visit https://neomed.peopleadmin.com/postings/5995

NEOMED is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants without discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, status as a parent during pregnancy and immediately after the birth of a child, status as a parent of a young child, status as a foster parent, veteran status or any other category protected by applicable state or federal law. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, NEOMED also affirms its commitment to nondiscrimination in its employment policies and practices. In compliance with Title IX (20 U.S.C Sec. 1681 et seq.), NEOMED prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment.