Director of Principal Giving

Overview

The Director of Principal Giving is a senior level fundraising professional responsible for leading the Principal Giving team which oversees the major and leadership giving team while overseeing all planned giving efforts at Salem State University. This position plays a key role in securing major and planned gifts that support the university’s strategic goals. The Director will serve as a frontline fundraiser, managing their own portfolio of high-capacity donors, and ensuring the successful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors at the major and leadership gift levels. They work closely with deans, division, board members, faculty and fellow advancement team members to plan and execute an effective major, planned and leadership giving program in support of identified university priorities. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Advancement (AVP), this role is integral to advancing the university’s philanthropic mission and increasing revenue from significant donors. 

Salem State University is a place where your career can flourish. We embrace and celebrate the uniqueness of every employee, creating an inclusive and supportive environment where you can do your best work. Our commitment to civic engagement ensures that your contributions will positively impact both the university and the community. As an Hispanic and minority-serving institution, we are dedicated to championing social justice. Join us and be part of a transformative community that enriches lives across the Commonwealth.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead and manage the Principal Giving team, providing guidance, mentoring, and support to staff while ensuring alignment with overall fundraising objectives.  

2. In partnership with the AVP, establishes clear team goals, performance metrics, and strategies for success, ensuring that the team consistently meets or exceeds fundraising targets. 

3. Oversee and support the development of fundraising strategies and campaigns for major and leadership giving initiatives. 

4. Lead and manage all aspects of the university’s planned giving program, including:  Identifying, cultivating, and soliciting potential planned gift donors.  

5. Develop and implement strategies to integrate planned giving into broader fundraising efforts and align with the university’s mission and goals. 

6. Work with donors to facilitate legacy gifts, bequests, and other planned giving vehicles, ensuring compliance with legal and tax regulations.

7. Develop marketing and communications materials to promote planned giving and educate potential donors on the benefits of planned gifts. 

8. Manage a personal portfolio of major and leadership gift prospects including: 
   Building and maintaining relationships with high-net-worth donors and prospects. 

9. Identify, qualify, and engage prospective major and leadership donors, ensuring that each donor receives personalized attention, including regular visits, calls, and correspondence following the donor engagement process.

10. Create and implement customized fundraising strategies for each donor to secure major gifts, planned gifts, and leadership level donations. 

11. Work collaboratively with the Assistant Vice President and other university leadership to set annual goals and benchmarks for the team and personal portfolio.  

12. In partnership with donor relations, develop and maintain a comprehensive donor stewardship program that ensures donors are appropriately thanked, recognized, and kept informed of the impact of their gifts.

13. Coordinate with other university departments to ensure that donors are invited to events, recognized publicly, and kept informed of institutional initiatives. Collaborate with faculty, senior leadership, and key volunteers to engage major and leadership donors in university initiatives and priorities.

14. Work closely with other Advancement teams, including Annual Giving, Corporate & Foundation Relations, and Engagement to ensure coordination and alignment in fundraising strategies.   
    Serve as a liaiso