Principal Gifts Officer

WGBH•Boston, MA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

GBH is seeking a senior frontline fundraiser to secure philanthropic support from individuals capable of making seven-figure or larger investments. Reporting to the Sr. Director of Development, Major Gifts, the Principal Gifts Officer manages a portfolio of significant donors and prospects, developing and executing strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts that advance GBH’s mission and strategic priorities. The role requires deep fundraising expertise, substantial independence, and the ability to serve as a trusted advisor to Development leadership, executives, and colleagues. The successful candidate will be an experienced relationship builder with a record of developing high-net-worth prospect pipelines, closing complex major and principal gifts, building lasting donor relationships, and partnering effectively with senior leaders, volunteers, and stakeholders to achieve ambitious fundraising goals. This is a hybrid staff position based at One Guest Street in Brighton, Massachusetts. GBH’s current hybrid approach requires onsite work at least two days each week, every Tuesday and Wednesday; additional onsite days may be welcomed or requested by a manager. The salary range is $110,630–$140,600, with compensation within the range based on skills, experience, and internal pay equity.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
At least 8 years of progressively complex professional fundraising experience.
Significant experience managing major gift portfolios and closing gifts of $500,000 or more.
Proven success securing and closing six- and seven-figure philanthropic gifts.
Exceptional relationship-building and donor stewardship skills.
Strong strategic thinking and donor portfolio management capabilities.
Leadership presence and ability to engage high-net-worth individuals, trustees, and senior leaders.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Ability to develop and execute complex cultivation and solicitation strategies.
Strong influencing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
Sound judgment, discretion, and commitment to confidentiality.
Experience using donor databases and CRM systems.
Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and serve as a resource to colleagues.
Commitment to GBH’s public service mission and values.
Experience partnering with senior executives, trustees, and influential volunteers on donor strategy and solicitation efforts.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated record of securing and stewarding seven-figure philanthropic commitments.
Experience within higher education, healthcare, arts and culture, media, public broadcasting, or another mission-driven nonprofit organization.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of approximately 50–75 principal gift prospects and donors with capacity to make seven- and eight-figure philanthropic commitments, developing their relationships and connection with GBH.
Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to secure transformational gifts.
Use personal and professional connections to identify and maintain an active pipeline of high-net-worth and principal gift prospects, and advance them through the gift cycle.
Replenish and grow the prospective principal gift donor pipeline by qualifying new prospects through research, referrals, and engagement activities.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with major philanthropists, family foundations, wealth advisors, and community leaders.
Partner with Development leadership on innovative cultivation strategies that deepen donor engagement with institutional priorities through visits, events, stewardship activities, and volunteer involvement.
Personally solicit and close significant philanthropic investments, meeting annual revenue goals aligned with the principal gifts portfolio.
Collaborate with colleagues across teams to achieve team and overall Development Office fundraising goals.
Work with high-level stakeholders to develop cross-departmental transformational funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities and increase principal and transformational gift activity.
Collaborate with content leaders, program executives, finance partners, and Development colleagues to align fundraising opportunities with organizational priorities.
Lead complex gift discussions, proposal development, and negotiations involving multiple stakeholders and funding priorities.
Maintain accurate documentation, forecasting, activity tracking, and prospect strategies in CRM systems and donor databases.