Dartmouth College
Associate Director, Principal Gifts
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Position Details
Posting date: 10/30/2025
Closing date: Open Until Filled
Position number: 1129462
Title: Associate Director, Principal Gifts
Hiring Range: $132,800 - $166,000
Union type: Not a Union Position
SEIU Level: Not an SEIU Position
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Category: Regular Full Time
Scheduled Months per Year: 12
Scheduled Hours per Week: 40
Remote Work Eligibility: Hybrid; onsite 2–3 days per month, Monday–Friday 8:00‑5:00PM
Location: Lebanon, NH 03766, 35 Centerra Pkwy
Is this a term position: No
Is this a grant funded position: No
Percent of Time: 50% Primary Responsibilities, 30% Project Management, 20% Writing, 5% Diversity and Other Duties
Position Purpose The Associate Director, Principal Gifts is an integral part of the Principal Gifts and Venture Philanthropy team that cultivates mutually beneficial relationships with alumni, patients, parents, corporations, foundations, and friends to secure private support for Dartmouth Health, its member institutions, and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College.
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Principal Gifts and Venture Philanthropy (AVP), the Associate Director is engaged in all activities in the comprehensive engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of principal gift level donors and prospects, defined as prospects capable of making gifts of $5 M or more over five years. The Associate Director works cooperatively with a wide variety of colleagues, including leadership, faculty, staff, students, and alumni, to execute donor engagement and stewardship strategies.
The Associate Director is a strategic partner to frontline fundraisers with the cultivation and solicitation of prospects by designing and implementing highly-personalized donor engagement, cultivation, and stewardship experiences while also supporting the strategic vision of the AVP for the principal gifts program. The position delivers exceptional service to our constituents and plays a central role in setting and delivering principal gifts fundraising and engagement strategies and meeting program goals.
This position works with highly confidential information on a daily basis and uses discretion in sharing information with internal and external stakeholders.
Key Accountabilities – Principal Gift Strategy and Relationship Management
Define and coordinate personalized cultivations and solicitations of principal gifts aligned with the overall donor strategy.
Implement gift plans with all gift officers assigned to principal gift prospects and donors.
Develop tailored stewardship plans for principal gift donors that illuminate the impact of their gift and ensure a high‑quality donor experience.
Meet with AVP and other leaders to discuss and strategize cultivation and stewardship opportunities for the entire pool of principal gift prospects.
Provide training and coaching of faculty and frontline staff in pitching key funding priorities tied to the principal gift and venture philanthropy goals.
Support the strategic engagement plan for identified principal gift prospects. Write and submit contact reports and compile other pertinent information after donor contacts.
Foster collaboration with front‑line colleagues in MHA and the Dartmouth College Development office to develop principal giving prospect strategies across purposes.
Provide high‑level, personalized support for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Dartmouth College alumni and parents with an interest in supporting the priorities of the Geisel School of Medicine and Dartmouth Health.
Travel as needed to support the principal gift and venture philanthropy program at various events and engagement opportunities.
Key Accountabilities – Project Management
Help design, create, and proactively track cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship deliverables in conjunction with key stakeholders.
Collaborate with key personnel to source information needed for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship requirements related to prospect management and donor gifts.
Manage all logistics associated with major principal giving initiatives in coordination with key stakeholders.
Coordinate and manage Principal Gift projects.
Key Accountabilities – Writing
Provide input on gift proposals (unrestricted, restricted, and planned gift components) to support donor solicitation and yield gifts toward institutional priorities.
Review and finalize briefing documents for leadership that articulate donor strategy and ensure goals for prospective development are clearly defined, preparing leadership for donor conversations.
Research, write, and edit collateral for principal gift donors, coordinating with colleagues, faculty, and leadership to create personal and accurate communications.
Research, write, and edit other donor communications as needed.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience: 7 – 10 years of fundraising experience.
Skills & Knowledge:
Exemplary written and verbal communication and negotiation skills.
Strong customer/service orientation.
Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to work in a large, complex, decentralized organization.
Proven ability to relate and communicate with a diverse audience.
Exceptional planning, administrative, and organizational skills; initiative, time‑management, deadline‑compliance, and priority management.
Exceptional customer service skills.
Flexibility and creativity.
Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative team environment.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and manage internal conflict productively.
Commitment to diversity within the workplace and to serving the needs of a diverse community.
Brings joy and a sense of humor to work.
Preferred Qualifications:
5 – 7 years fundraising experience in a medical or academic environment.
Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries Beth Wood – Phone: (603) 646-5116
Equal Opportunity Employer Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.
Background Check Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre‑employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non‑discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
Special Instructions to Applicants Dartmouth College has a Tobacco‑Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco‑based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy: https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy
Additional Instructions Quick Link: https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/83725
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Position Details
Posting date: 10/30/2025
Closing date: Open Until Filled
Position number: 1129462
Title: Associate Director, Principal Gifts
Hiring Range: $132,800 - $166,000
Union type: Not a Union Position
SEIU Level: Not an SEIU Position
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Category: Regular Full Time
Scheduled Months per Year: 12
Scheduled Hours per Week: 40
Remote Work Eligibility: Hybrid; onsite 2–3 days per month, Monday–Friday 8:00‑5:00PM
Location: Lebanon, NH 03766, 35 Centerra Pkwy
Is this a term position: No
Is this a grant funded position: No
Percent of Time: 50% Primary Responsibilities, 30% Project Management, 20% Writing, 5% Diversity and Other Duties
Position Purpose The Associate Director, Principal Gifts is an integral part of the Principal Gifts and Venture Philanthropy team that cultivates mutually beneficial relationships with alumni, patients, parents, corporations, foundations, and friends to secure private support for Dartmouth Health, its member institutions, and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College.
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Principal Gifts and Venture Philanthropy (AVP), the Associate Director is engaged in all activities in the comprehensive engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of principal gift level donors and prospects, defined as prospects capable of making gifts of $5 M or more over five years. The Associate Director works cooperatively with a wide variety of colleagues, including leadership, faculty, staff, students, and alumni, to execute donor engagement and stewardship strategies.
The Associate Director is a strategic partner to frontline fundraisers with the cultivation and solicitation of prospects by designing and implementing highly-personalized donor engagement, cultivation, and stewardship experiences while also supporting the strategic vision of the AVP for the principal gifts program. The position delivers exceptional service to our constituents and plays a central role in setting and delivering principal gifts fundraising and engagement strategies and meeting program goals.
This position works with highly confidential information on a daily basis and uses discretion in sharing information with internal and external stakeholders.
Key Accountabilities – Principal Gift Strategy and Relationship Management
Define and coordinate personalized cultivations and solicitations of principal gifts aligned with the overall donor strategy.
Implement gift plans with all gift officers assigned to principal gift prospects and donors.
Develop tailored stewardship plans for principal gift donors that illuminate the impact of their gift and ensure a high‑quality donor experience.
Meet with AVP and other leaders to discuss and strategize cultivation and stewardship opportunities for the entire pool of principal gift prospects.
Provide training and coaching of faculty and frontline staff in pitching key funding priorities tied to the principal gift and venture philanthropy goals.
Support the strategic engagement plan for identified principal gift prospects. Write and submit contact reports and compile other pertinent information after donor contacts.
Foster collaboration with front‑line colleagues in MHA and the Dartmouth College Development office to develop principal giving prospect strategies across purposes.
Provide high‑level, personalized support for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Dartmouth College alumni and parents with an interest in supporting the priorities of the Geisel School of Medicine and Dartmouth Health.
Travel as needed to support the principal gift and venture philanthropy program at various events and engagement opportunities.
Key Accountabilities – Project Management
Help design, create, and proactively track cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship deliverables in conjunction with key stakeholders.
Collaborate with key personnel to source information needed for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship requirements related to prospect management and donor gifts.
Manage all logistics associated with major principal giving initiatives in coordination with key stakeholders.
Coordinate and manage Principal Gift projects.
Key Accountabilities – Writing
Provide input on gift proposals (unrestricted, restricted, and planned gift components) to support donor solicitation and yield gifts toward institutional priorities.
Review and finalize briefing documents for leadership that articulate donor strategy and ensure goals for prospective development are clearly defined, preparing leadership for donor conversations.
Research, write, and edit collateral for principal gift donors, coordinating with colleagues, faculty, and leadership to create personal and accurate communications.
Research, write, and edit other donor communications as needed.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience: 7 – 10 years of fundraising experience.
Skills & Knowledge:
Exemplary written and verbal communication and negotiation skills.
Strong customer/service orientation.
Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to work in a large, complex, decentralized organization.
Proven ability to relate and communicate with a diverse audience.
Exceptional planning, administrative, and organizational skills; initiative, time‑management, deadline‑compliance, and priority management.
Exceptional customer service skills.
Flexibility and creativity.
Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative team environment.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and manage internal conflict productively.
Commitment to diversity within the workplace and to serving the needs of a diverse community.
Brings joy and a sense of humor to work.
Preferred Qualifications:
5 – 7 years fundraising experience in a medical or academic environment.
Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries Beth Wood – Phone: (603) 646-5116
Equal Opportunity Employer Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.
Background Check Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre‑employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non‑discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
Special Instructions to Applicants Dartmouth College has a Tobacco‑Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco‑based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy: https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy
Additional Instructions Quick Link: https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/83725
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