Inside Higher Ed
Position Title
Associate Director, Principal Gifts
Schedule Hybrid: 2–3 days per month onsite; Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Minimal regional travel required. Candidates must live within commuting distance of Dartmouth College and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), Hanover/Lebanon, NH.
Location Lebanon, NH 03766, 35 Centerra Pkwy
Position Purpose The Associate Director, Principal Gifts is a key member of the Principal Gifts and Venture Philanthropy team, cultivating 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 engages in all activities of comprehensive engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of principal‑gift level donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $5 million or more over five years. The role supports strategic vision, delivers exceptional service, and handles highly confidential information with discretion.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
7–10 years of fundraising experience; preferred 5–7 years in a medical or academic environment.
Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation, and customer‑service skills.
Exceptional planning, administrative and organizational skills, time‑management, and ability to meet deadlines.
Ability to work independently and in collaborative teams.
Discretion with sensitive and confidential matters.
Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and serving a diverse community.
Positive, joyful, and humorous work attitude.
Experience
Understanding of the philanthropic process and individual giving behaviors.
Relationship‑management experience in a large, complex, decentralized organization.
Writing and communications experience in higher education or a nonprofit environment preferred.
Experience creating donor communications and stewardship plans.
Preferred Qualifications
5–7 years fundraising experience in a medical or academic environment.
Responsibilities Principal Gift Strategy and Relationship Management
Define and coordinate personalized cultivations and solicitations of principal gifts aligned with overall donor strategy.
Develop tailored stewardship plans that illuminate impact and ensure a high‑quality donor experience.
Collaborate with AVP and leaders to strategize cultivation and stewardship opportunities.
Provide training and coaching to faculty and frontline staff on pitching key funding priorities.
Support engagement plans for identified principal gift prospects; submit contact reports and compile donor‑contact information.
Foster collaboration with frontline colleagues in MHA and the Dartmouth College Development office to develop principal giving prospect strategies.
Offer high‑level, personalized support for alumni and parents interested in supporting the Geisel School of Medicine and Dartmouth Health.
Travel as needed for events and engagement opportunities.
Project Management
Design, create, and proactively track cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship deliverables.
Collaborate with stakeholders to source information needed for donor management.
Manage logistics associated with major principal giving initiatives.
Coordinate and manage Principal Gift projects.
Writing
Provide input on gift proposals to support donor solicitation.
Review and finalize briefing documents for leadership that articulate donor strategy.
Research, write, and edit collateral and donor communications for principal gift donors.
Assist in producing other donor communications as needed.
Additional Responsibilities
Demonstrate commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness.
Perform other duties as assigned.
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 is contingent upon consent to a pre‑employment background check, including criminal, reference, and verifications of work history, licenses, and certifications. Results must be 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.
Driving Driving a vehicle is an essential function of this job.
Contact
Name: Beth Wood – Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries
Phone: (603) 646‑5116
Name: Bethany Solomon – Department Contact For Cover Letter And Title
Other Details Position Number: 1129462 Posting Date: 10/30/2025 Open Until Filled: Yes
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, see the
https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy .
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Schedule Hybrid: 2–3 days per month onsite; Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Minimal regional travel required. Candidates must live within commuting distance of Dartmouth College and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), Hanover/Lebanon, NH.
Location Lebanon, NH 03766, 35 Centerra Pkwy
Position Purpose The Associate Director, Principal Gifts is a key member of the Principal Gifts and Venture Philanthropy team, cultivating 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 engages in all activities of comprehensive engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of principal‑gift level donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $5 million or more over five years. The role supports strategic vision, delivers exceptional service, and handles highly confidential information with discretion.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
7–10 years of fundraising experience; preferred 5–7 years in a medical or academic environment.
Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation, and customer‑service skills.
Exceptional planning, administrative and organizational skills, time‑management, and ability to meet deadlines.
Ability to work independently and in collaborative teams.
Discretion with sensitive and confidential matters.
Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and serving a diverse community.
Positive, joyful, and humorous work attitude.
Experience
Understanding of the philanthropic process and individual giving behaviors.
Relationship‑management experience in a large, complex, decentralized organization.
Writing and communications experience in higher education or a nonprofit environment preferred.
Experience creating donor communications and stewardship plans.
Preferred Qualifications
5–7 years fundraising experience in a medical or academic environment.
Responsibilities Principal Gift Strategy and Relationship Management
Define and coordinate personalized cultivations and solicitations of principal gifts aligned with overall donor strategy.
Develop tailored stewardship plans that illuminate impact and ensure a high‑quality donor experience.
Collaborate with AVP and leaders to strategize cultivation and stewardship opportunities.
Provide training and coaching to faculty and frontline staff on pitching key funding priorities.
Support engagement plans for identified principal gift prospects; submit contact reports and compile donor‑contact information.
Foster collaboration with frontline colleagues in MHA and the Dartmouth College Development office to develop principal giving prospect strategies.
Offer high‑level, personalized support for alumni and parents interested in supporting the Geisel School of Medicine and Dartmouth Health.
Travel as needed for events and engagement opportunities.
Project Management
Design, create, and proactively track cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship deliverables.
Collaborate with stakeholders to source information needed for donor management.
Manage logistics associated with major principal giving initiatives.
Coordinate and manage Principal Gift projects.
Writing
Provide input on gift proposals to support donor solicitation.
Review and finalize briefing documents for leadership that articulate donor strategy.
Research, write, and edit collateral and donor communications for principal gift donors.
Assist in producing other donor communications as needed.
Additional Responsibilities
Demonstrate commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness.
Perform other duties as assigned.
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 is contingent upon consent to a pre‑employment background check, including criminal, reference, and verifications of work history, licenses, and certifications. Results must be 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.
Driving Driving a vehicle is an essential function of this job.
Contact
Name: Beth Wood – Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries
Phone: (603) 646‑5116
Name: Bethany Solomon – Department Contact For Cover Letter And Title
Other Details Position Number: 1129462 Posting Date: 10/30/2025 Open Until Filled: Yes
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, see the
https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy .
#J-18808-Ljbffr