University of Georgia
Senior Director of Principal Gifts
Division of Development and Alumni Relations, University of Georgia
Location: Athens Area
Work Schedule: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm; evenings and weekends as necessary
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Position Summary The Senior Director of Principal Gifts reports to the Senior Executive Director of Development and is a key member of the Principal Gifts team within the Office of Development & Alumni Relations (DAR). This role provides strategic leadership in the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of principal gift prospects university‑wide. The Senior Director partners with fundraisers and university leadership to develop and implement donor‑centric strategies that align institutional priorities with donor passions. The position also supports and mentors fundraisers across campus, helping advance principal gift conversations and providing guidance on proposals, engagement strategies, and stewardship. The role also requires donor‑facing work, focusing on a strategic portfolio of prospects and ensuring the division’s fundraising efforts are effective, coordinated, and impactful.
Responsibilities
Principal Gift Fundraising
Engage in donor‑facing development efforts for a strategic, small portfolio of prospects, primarily in a mentoring/support capacity.
Participate in prospect visits and donor meetings on and off campus.
Collaborate with fundraisers and university leadership to identify, prioritize, and solicit principal gift prospects.
Identify donors with potential for increased giving to a principal gift level.
University‑Wide Principal Gift Strategy and Pipeline Management
Maintain awareness of strategies, engagements, and next steps for prospects in the university’s principal gift pipeline.
Work with fundraisers and the DAR Prospect Management team to document prospect strategies and activity in the GAIL CRM system.
Monitor the pipeline health, flaging areas requiring action, and troubleshoot stalled progress.
Partner with fundraisers to develop and implement donor‑centric strategies, coordinate support from university partners for proposals and donor engagement.
Lead prospect strategy sessions, mentor fundraisers, and deliver training workshops on topics such as identifying high‑potential prospects, blending gift conversations, crafting proposals, and leveraging gift vehicles.
Provide direct support for proposals, funding menus, donor presentations, and other materials to advance gift conversations.
Identify and recommend events, engagement opportunities, and recognition moments to advance donor conversations.
Model and encourage best practice use of the CRM system.
Guide effective stewardship strategies with DAR Donor Relations and unit teams.
Assess development resources across schools/colleges/units and identify additional support needs.
Collaborate with university leadership to understand institutional fundraising priorities and identify aligned principal gift prospects.
Help craft and execute effective, donor‑centered fundraising plans for opportunities.
Operational Responsibilities
Complete managerial processes critical to travel, scheduled meetings, and fundraising performance, including telephone, correspondence, and preparation/follow‑up.
Record meetings, interactions, and plans in GAIL in a thorough and timely manner.
Prepare timely, accurate, and relevant proposals, presentations, and other fundraising materials as needed.
Develop a strategy or plan for each prospect with a written solicitation strategy.
Attend university events and development staff meetings as required.
Participate in university events, programs, and continuing education as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and five (5) years of professional experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree preferred, or bachelor’s degree and seven (7) years of related higher‑education experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in sales, marketing, development, business administration, higher education, project management, or relationship management.
Experience with comprehensive campaigns is a plus.
Knowledge of the private funding landscape in higher education.
Ability to establish the trust of colleagues and build strong relationships with key faculty and staff.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies
Strong people‑management and time‑management skills.
Ability to cultivate and solicit private gifts from high‑level prospects.
Knowledge of IRS rules and regulations regarding charitable gifts and non‑profit organizations.
Initiative‑taker and highly motivated.
Collaborative style and desire to work in a team‑based environment.
Excellent writing skills with extreme attention to detail and strong verbal communication.
Problem‑solving ability and flexibility.
Highly organized and able to manage multiple projects.
Analytical, with adherence to self‑guided goals and deadlines.
Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities.
Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality regarding university business and confidential donor information.
Skilled using Microsoft Office products such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Creative thinker who can receive constructive feedback on ideas.
Ability to respond to donor needs and concerns in a kind and professional manner.
Ability to work effectively in both leadership and support roles, adapting to team and organizational needs.
Additional Division Expectations
Interact with fairness, compassion, and decency in open, honest, and respectful communication.
Adhere to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting.
Physical Demands
Work in a standard office environment.
Travel in and out of state.
Work nights and weekends as necessary.
Use electronic mail, telephone, face‑to‑face discussions, and paper correspondence.
Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening.
Organize and establish priorities; recall details; multi‑task.
Lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, and climb as required.
Equal Employment Opportunity The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, veteran status, or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).
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Position Summary The Senior Director of Principal Gifts reports to the Senior Executive Director of Development and is a key member of the Principal Gifts team within the Office of Development & Alumni Relations (DAR). This role provides strategic leadership in the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of principal gift prospects university‑wide. The Senior Director partners with fundraisers and university leadership to develop and implement donor‑centric strategies that align institutional priorities with donor passions. The position also supports and mentors fundraisers across campus, helping advance principal gift conversations and providing guidance on proposals, engagement strategies, and stewardship. The role also requires donor‑facing work, focusing on a strategic portfolio of prospects and ensuring the division’s fundraising efforts are effective, coordinated, and impactful.
Responsibilities
Principal Gift Fundraising
Engage in donor‑facing development efforts for a strategic, small portfolio of prospects, primarily in a mentoring/support capacity.
Participate in prospect visits and donor meetings on and off campus.
Collaborate with fundraisers and university leadership to identify, prioritize, and solicit principal gift prospects.
Identify donors with potential for increased giving to a principal gift level.
University‑Wide Principal Gift Strategy and Pipeline Management
Maintain awareness of strategies, engagements, and next steps for prospects in the university’s principal gift pipeline.
Work with fundraisers and the DAR Prospect Management team to document prospect strategies and activity in the GAIL CRM system.
Monitor the pipeline health, flaging areas requiring action, and troubleshoot stalled progress.
Partner with fundraisers to develop and implement donor‑centric strategies, coordinate support from university partners for proposals and donor engagement.
Lead prospect strategy sessions, mentor fundraisers, and deliver training workshops on topics such as identifying high‑potential prospects, blending gift conversations, crafting proposals, and leveraging gift vehicles.
Provide direct support for proposals, funding menus, donor presentations, and other materials to advance gift conversations.
Identify and recommend events, engagement opportunities, and recognition moments to advance donor conversations.
Model and encourage best practice use of the CRM system.
Guide effective stewardship strategies with DAR Donor Relations and unit teams.
Assess development resources across schools/colleges/units and identify additional support needs.
Collaborate with university leadership to understand institutional fundraising priorities and identify aligned principal gift prospects.
Help craft and execute effective, donor‑centered fundraising plans for opportunities.
Operational Responsibilities
Complete managerial processes critical to travel, scheduled meetings, and fundraising performance, including telephone, correspondence, and preparation/follow‑up.
Record meetings, interactions, and plans in GAIL in a thorough and timely manner.
Prepare timely, accurate, and relevant proposals, presentations, and other fundraising materials as needed.
Develop a strategy or plan for each prospect with a written solicitation strategy.
Attend university events and development staff meetings as required.
Participate in university events, programs, and continuing education as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and five (5) years of professional experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree preferred, or bachelor’s degree and seven (7) years of related higher‑education experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in sales, marketing, development, business administration, higher education, project management, or relationship management.
Experience with comprehensive campaigns is a plus.
Knowledge of the private funding landscape in higher education.
Ability to establish the trust of colleagues and build strong relationships with key faculty and staff.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies
Strong people‑management and time‑management skills.
Ability to cultivate and solicit private gifts from high‑level prospects.
Knowledge of IRS rules and regulations regarding charitable gifts and non‑profit organizations.
Initiative‑taker and highly motivated.
Collaborative style and desire to work in a team‑based environment.
Excellent writing skills with extreme attention to detail and strong verbal communication.
Problem‑solving ability and flexibility.
Highly organized and able to manage multiple projects.
Analytical, with adherence to self‑guided goals and deadlines.
Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities.
Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality regarding university business and confidential donor information.
Skilled using Microsoft Office products such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Creative thinker who can receive constructive feedback on ideas.
Ability to respond to donor needs and concerns in a kind and professional manner.
Ability to work effectively in both leadership and support roles, adapting to team and organizational needs.
Additional Division Expectations
Interact with fairness, compassion, and decency in open, honest, and respectful communication.
Adhere to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting.
Physical Demands
Work in a standard office environment.
Travel in and out of state.
Work nights and weekends as necessary.
Use electronic mail, telephone, face‑to‑face discussions, and paper correspondence.
Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening.
Organize and establish priorities; recall details; multi‑task.
Lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, and climb as required.
Equal Employment Opportunity The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, veteran status, or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).
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