Executive Director of Development, Principal Gifts

University of North Texas System•Denton, TX

35d

About The Position

The Principal Gift Officer will play a key role - individually and collectively - in cultivating long-term relationships with donors who have the capacity to make transformative gifts, while leveraging the relationships and vision of university leaders to secure support for strategic university priorities and initiatives. The ED of Principal Gifts will be a seasoned and exceptional team-oriented fundraising professional with a demonstrated successful track record in securing multi-million-dollar philanthropic gifts. The individual will provide creative and visionary management and coordination of fundraising endeavors for university-wide programs. They will convene campus partners and advise on the development of coordinated strategies aimed at maximizing the life-time engagement and support of a portfolio of high-net-worth households. They will help assemble key university members together with prospects around cross-cutting strategic funding priorities. This role has three defining dimensions- The disciplined management of approximately 30-50 relationships with consistent focus and high-touch engagement, cultivation and stewardship that leads to successful solicitations strategies. The ability to work closely with academic leaders, fundraising colleagues, faculty, and volunteers to shape compelling ideas that will attract transformational gifts based on institutional initiatives and presidential priorities. The ability to work in tandem with colleagues on the University principal gifts team as well as with development officers of other colleges/schools/units to coordinate cultivation and solicitation of prospects where there are multiple interests. Principal gift work requires understanding of the university's overarching strategic priorities, as well as the programs and aspirations of the colleges and units where principal gifts are needed. Consultation, coordination and collaboration with regional and unit-based colleagues as well as the Assoc. VP of Development and the VP of Advancement is essential.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in related field and eight years of increasingly responsible leadership and/or management experience or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Understand key global and local issues effecting higher education.
Strong marketing, public relations, and fundraising experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures.
Experience in effectively planning, analyzing, and coordinating activities.
Ability to work effectively in a team and with many diverse constituencies.
Experience in developing, implementing and monitoring strategic plans.
Demonstrated success in executing fundraising activities, identifying prospects, developing strong relationships, cultivating support and stewarding gifts.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of donor information.

Nice To Haves

A Bachelor's degree in any rigorous academic field and a minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience as a proven fundraising leader in a complex, decentralized, comprehensive university environment is preferred.
Experience with high-net-worth individuals, planned giving or wealth management highly valued. Experience managing a major/principal gift portfolio utilizing metrics, systems, and relationship building skills to maximize strategic cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of $1 million plus donors and transformational gifts.
Keen understanding of the collaboration that must exist when working with a multitude of colleges, departments, and programs with varying priorities is essential.
Experience working to sustain strong working relationships with staff, donors, faculty, volunteers and academic leadership is imperative.
A strong ability to develop sincere, productive relationships and to build trust both with internal colleagues and external constituencies is a must.
Clear and effective written and oral communication and presentation skills, including individual and large groups.
Keen sense of requirements necessary to foster a team-centric culture and environment.
Proven success at developing and implementing creative solicitation strategies for transformational philanthropic gifts in a team-oriented and collaborative environment.
Superior interpersonal and listening skills and exceptional negotiation skills and proven ability to make independent decisions.

Responsibilities

Working with approximately 30-50 high potential individual prospects through the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship cycles.
Forge long-term relationships with these individuals to cultivate their interest in UNT that will lead to seven and eight-figure solicitations
Actively maintain a portfolio of principal gift level prospects, particularly where there are multiple complex university relationships and the opportunity exists to have university-wide impact that requires thoughtful, experienced, prospect management
Promotes planned giving and has an understanding and expertise in estate vehicles and the role they can play in supporting visionary gifts.
Collaborate with key university development officers on opportunities for their involvement with specific fundraising and engagement events and initiatives with top prospects
Provide staff assistance to President, Deans and other university leadership in direct solicitations and interactions with top donor prospects
Establish measurable goals and track progress of securing philanthropic support.
Provide regular updates to University leadership on principal gift-related activities, outcomes, and strategic opportunities
Strong ability to maintain confidentiality and set pace around donor moves
Model a collaborative style of leadership to facilitate and guide creative principal gift level donor relationship strategies in concert with colleagues
Develop and execute a thoughtful plan to ensure that UNT can rely on an increasing and sustainable flow of philanthropic support from the highest level of donors/prospects
Support the work of the President's office, Vice President for University Advancement, and is in alignment with the University's goals in educational innovation, student success, and workforce development.
Foster diversity at all levels of the organization, including the professional staff, the volunteer corps and the constituencies served
Facilitate internal coordination to align initiatives and projects with foundation funding priorities.
Oversee the development of compelling proposals, ensuring alignment with University interests and priorities.
Monitor compliance and reporting requirements, maintaining positive relationships with funding partners.
Represent the University in events, meetings, and convenings, articulating the institution's vision and impact effectively.
Serve as a trusted advisor and partner to University leadership, providing insights and strategies for engaging with prospective donors.