Senior Donor Strategist, Principal gifts

The Rector & Visitors Of The University Of Virginia • Charlottesville, VA

275d • $90,000 - $110,000 • Remote

About The Position

University Advancement at the University of Virginia (UVA) seeks a dynamic and experienced Senior Donor Strategist to join the Principal Gifts team. The University of Virginia has a strong and high-performing advancement community, boasting a large number of talented, effective, and results-oriented professionals. Our community is comprised of a robust central advancement organization, 12 University schools, and more than 25 University-related programs. We offer a wide variety of career opportunities, as well as an outstanding environment for professional growth and development. The Senior Donor Strategist will play a critical role in developing and executing high-level philanthropic strategies, ensuring alignment between donor interests and the University's most pressing funding priorities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in fundraising, proposal development, and donor strategy, particularly at the principal-gift level ($5M+). Exceptional research, analytical, and writing skills are essential, along with the ability to collaborate effectively with senior leaders, faculty, and development colleagues across the institution.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree (relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree)
• Experience: A minimum of four years, preferably in fundraising, grant writing, proposal development, or related fields.
• Strong knowledge of fundraising strategy and the philanthropic landscape in higher education.
• Superior research, analytical, and strategic thinking skills, with a proven ability to identify donor interests and develop successful solicitation plans.
• Exceptional writing and storytelling ability, with experience synthesizing complex information into compelling narratives that resonate with donors.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior leaders, faculty, and development colleagues in a complex institutional setting.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently.
• High level of discretion, integrity, and professionalism in handling confidential donor information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Nice To Haves

• Experience crafting philanthropic messaging for high-net-worth donors, drawing on current trends, research, and innovation in higher education.
• Ability and willingness to mentor and train colleagues in proposal writing and donor communications.
• Experience with customer relationship management platforms (e.g., Salesforce) for donor tracking and engagement.
• Familiarity with fundraising research tools (e.g., WealthX) and file-sharing platforms (e.g., SharePoint).
• Experience with, or strong interest in, applying new technologies (e.g., AI) to improve efficiency and quality of work.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement customized donor engagement strategies that align major philanthropists with the University's highest priorities, with a primary focus on securing principal gifts ($5M+).
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership, development officers, faculty, and other key stakeholders to create and execute solicitation plans that guide donors through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Serve as a lead writer for compelling and persuasive fundraising proposals, letters of agreement/intent, and other key donor-facing materials, ensuring clarity, impact, and alignment with institutional goals.
• Conduct in-depth prospect research and analysis to identify opportunities for engagement and to craft strategic donor approaches.
• Provide expert guidance on philanthropic messaging, ensuring that donor communications reflect the University's vision, priorities, and impact.
• Monitor donor strategy execution, tracking progress, identifying opportunities for deeper engagement, and adjusting approaches as needed.

Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid workplace.
• Access to and maintain a secure home office environment with high-speed internet service.
• Occasional work outside of traditional office hours (evenings and weekends).
• Anticipated hiring range is $90,000 - $110,000 and will be commensurate with education and experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree