Senior Director of Development, Principal Gifts (VPUR)

University of Maryland•College Park, MD

2d•$154,636 - $185,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Maryland’s Office of Principal Gifts seeks an experienced, strategic Senior Director of Development for Principal Gifts to advance the university’s principal gift fundraising program. The Office of Principal Gifts leads relationship strategy and engagement with the institution’s highest-capacity prospective donors. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Principal Gifts, the Senior Director of Development for Principal Gifts develops and executes comprehensive strategies to secure transformational philanthropic investments aligned with institutional priorities. This individual identifies and manages a selective portfolio of new high-capacity prospects, leads complex, long-term cultivation and solicitation efforts, and partners closely with senior leadership, academic deans and volunteers to advance the university’s most ambitious funding priorities. In addition to personally closing principal-level commitments, the Senior Director will supervise the Senior Program Director, Pipeline Development and Advancement Analytics and Senior Development Writer. They will provide strategic oversight of pipeline development, donor strategy, and proposal development. The Senior Director will thrive in a highly collaborative environment, working in close partnership with central and unit-based fundraisers, University Relations colleagues, and campus leadership. The successful candidate will bring a demonstrated record of principal gift success in higher education, with particular strength in designing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies that deliver measurable outcomes. This position will be required to work occasional evenings and weekends. Regular local travel and out-of-area travel will be required approximately 25-40% of the time.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Seven (7) years of professional development, fundraising or external relations experience.
Knowledge of principles and best practices of major gift fundraising, including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Knowledge of donor motivations, philanthropic trends, and prospect research methodologies.
Skill in problem solving and strategic planning.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office and Google Suite products.
Ability to develop and administer new policies and procedures.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
Ability to interact with donors and senior-level executives and administrators required.
Ability to handle multiple tasks and strong adherence to deadlines required.
Must be able to provide proof of ongoing eligibility to work in the USA.

Nice To Haves

Progressively responsible experience in the field of advancement or related environment with demonstrated success in securing seven- and eight-figure gifts, and a deep understanding of the principal gift donor lifecycle.
An appreciation for the University of Maryland's mission and values.
Experience in high-level creative donor discovery outreach to cultivate, solicit, and close gifts in a higher education setting.
Experience working with university leadership to execute prospect cultivation strategies.
Experience working collaboratively as a peer leader on philanthropic gifts within a complex institution, preferably in higher education.
Ability to act as the liaison for coordinating activity across multiple units.
Broad understanding of higher education, particularly public research universities.

Responsibilities

Develops and executes comprehensive strategies to secure transformational philanthropic investments aligned with institutional priorities.
Identifies and manages a selective portfolio of new high-capacity prospects.
Leads complex, long-term cultivation and solicitation efforts.
Partners closely with senior leadership, academic deans and volunteers to advance the university’s most ambitious funding priorities.
Personally closes principal-level commitments.
Supervises the Senior Program Director, Pipeline Development and Advancement Analytics and Senior Development Writer.
Provides strategic oversight of pipeline development, donor strategy, and proposal development.
Works in close partnership with central and unit-based fundraisers, University Relations colleagues, and campus leadership.
Designs and executes comprehensive fundraising strategies that deliver measurable outcomes.