Senior Director Gift Planning and Principal Gifts

Leads the University's Gift Planning and Principal Gifts programs, overseeing estate and trust gifts, donor relations, and strategies for securing substantial gifts. Supports campaign planning and implementation, drives donor engagement and retention, and develops proposals to advance transformational giving

• Leads the Gift Planning team and strategy to secure estate, trust, and investment gifts that support the University's long-term growth.
• Leads the Principal Gifts team, focusing on securing substantial gifts by identifying, cultivating, and strengthening relationships with key donors.
• Leads the Donor Relations team, ensuring strategic stewardship and meaningful donor interactions.
• Advances comprehensive campaign strategy through volunteer engagement, event execution, and performance tracking.

Minimum qualifications based upon job documentation and industry best practices. Any current employees not meeting these qualifications will be grandfathered until they move to a different job.

• Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited institution.

• Demonstrated record of success in a related field such as law, accounting, or financial planning is required.
• Comprehensive understanding of higher education fundraising.
• Demonstrated written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
• Proven ability to work well as a contributing team member within a complex organization requiring collaboration, teamwork, and communication.
• Demonstrated experience using relational databases.
• Experience with office software applications.
• An understanding of current laws regarding taxability of donations, familiarity with deferred giving strategies, and knowledge of a diverse array of financial instruments are essential.
• Experience closing (or participating in closing) several gifts at the $1 - $10M level, as well as stewarding gifts at this level.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Willingness to travel on a frequent basis.
• Demonstrated high customer service orientation and ability to function as a VIP concierge in complex organizations.
• Proven ability to collaborate and drive complex, multi-unit gifts.

• Ability to work irregular hours and extended hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to travel.

Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.

Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.

Revised: 2025-07-08