Director of Development - Principal Gifts

Medical University of South Carolina • Charleston, SC

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Development, Principal Gifts, is responsible for designing and executing strategies to secure major and transformational philanthropic support for MUSC’s enterprise-wide academic, clinical, and research priorities. Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, this role focuses exclusively on principal‑level donor engagement and supporting the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Associate Vice President of the MUSC Foundation in their principal gift activities, as well as driving moves management of these prospects across the MUSC Foundation. The Director partners closely with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Associate Vice President of the MUSC Foundation, along with MUSC leadership, faculty, clinical chairs, administrators, and development colleagues to drive principal gift strategies. This role plays a critical part in advancing MUSC’s mission to preserve and optimize human life by aligning donor interests with institutional funding needs across priority areas such as capital projects, endowed positions, scholarships, clinical programming, programmatic endowments, research initiatives, and other high‑impact strategic opportunities. The Director serves as a trusted strategic thought partner for the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Associate Vice President of the MUSC Foundation, and an ambassador for MUSC—ensuring donor engagement is coordinated, seamless, and deeply reflective of MUSC’s values and institutional direction.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent and at least 5 years of related professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Principal Gift Strategy (40%): Design and implement principal‑gift strategies that support gift solicitations in support of MUSC’s highest institutional priorities. Work alongside the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Associate Vice President of the MUSC Foundation to drive all principal gift prospects and donors through all stages of moves management Lead donor strategies for large‑scale initiatives including strategic capital and academic opportunities. Partner with MUSC leadership to articulate compelling philanthropic opportunities that advance MUSC’s mission.
• Strategic Collaboration & Leadership Support (30%): Work closely with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Associate Vice President to develop enterprise‑wide philanthropic strategies to engage our top prospects. Provide counsel on donor strategy, engagement opportunities, and major proposal framing. Prepare leadership for donor meetings with briefings, strategy memos, and customized stewardship materials. Ensure coordinated, seamless donor experiences across MUSC’s highly matrixed environment.
• Donor Stewardship & Moves Management (15%): Provide high‑touch, personalized stewardship for principal‑level donors. Ensure meaningful, mission‑aligned engagement that deepens donor understanding of MUSC’s impact. Serve as a strategic consultant for gift officers pursuing principal gift asks within their portfolios. Ensure timely, comprehensive donor documentation and impact reporting.
• Communication & Material Development (10%): Develop high‑quality briefings, talking points, and strategic donor materials. Ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency of messaging for donor interactions.
• Other Duties as Assigned (5%): Working with leadership to fulfill tasks ensuring alignment with fundraising strategies and professional growth through mentorship, performance management, and operational guidance. Use data‑driven analytics and relationship insights to advance prospects through the cultivation pipeline. Document all prospect interactions, moves, and strategies using established protocols.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director