Yale University seeks an experienced principal gift officer to join the university’s Alumni Affairs & Development division. Reporting to the university director, principal gifts and collaborating with partners across Yale, the principal gift officer is responsible for building relationships with and securing gifts from the university’s highest-level prospects, capable of making gifts of $10 million or more. The principal gift officer is a senior fundraiser in the Office of Development, expected ... more details
Yale University seeks an experienced principal gift officer to join the university’s Alumni Affairs & Development division. Reporting to the university director, principal gifts and collaborating with partners across Yale, the principal gift officer is responsible for building relationships with and securing gifts from the university’s highest-level prospects, capable of making gifts of $10 million or more. The principal gift officer is a senior fundraiser in the Office of Development, expected to work in close coordination with the vice president for alumni affairs & development, president, provost, deans, and other academic and administrative partners to maximize donor support for priorities across the university. The principal gift officer manages a portfolio of approximately 40-50 of the university’s highest capacity prospects in the New York City region and potentially other cities on the East Coast. The principal gift officer serves as a member of a dynamic and well-resourced 13-person principal gifts team that is advancing the comprehensive, university-wide For Humanity Campaign.
The principal gift officer duties include develops and executes cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for a portfolio of prospects. Builds personal relationships with prospects and facilitates a network of relationships between prospects and university leaders. Coordinates all communication between campus leaders and prospects. Works closely with internal contacts, university leaders, and academic partners to develop and implement prospect strategies, conceptualize gift opportunities, draft gift proposals, and produce timely and meaningful stewardship. Travels independently to meet with prospects, advisors, and volunteers in an effort to advance gift strategies. Also travels alongside university leaders to accompany them in meetings with prospects. Ability to have commitment to an inclusive workplace. Ability to engage with diverse audiences (age, gender, nationality, race/ethnicity, profession, sexual orientation, etc.). 1. Develops cultivation and solicitation strategies for a portfolio of prospects and donors. Builds and manages network of relationships with prospective donors involving University administrators and faculty. Facilitates and coordinates all communication with these prospects and among the prospect’s campus relationships. Promotes positive relations with these prospects and donors. 2. Evaluates various gift opportunities and giving vehicles and recommends the most suitable for a particular donor. 3. Interacts with internal contacts such as Deans, Directors, Faculty, Officers, and other Development staff to consult on University needs, to formulate strategies to promote prospect engagement with the University and to identify potential donors. 4. Assist with the strategy for and creation of written communications from various University administrators appropriate to a donor’s interests. 5. Typically participates (often in concert with others) in gift solicitations to fund University programs and to enhance the development efforts of the Schools and departments. 6. May travel (possibly extensively) commensurate with Yale’s standard expectations for fundraising activity, contact and travel. May involve international travel depending upon prospect assignments. 7. Performs additional development-related activities/efforts at the request of manager. 8. May perform other duties as assigned. Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field and a minimum of four years of demonstrated experience in fundraising or a related field, preferably in higher education or equivalent combination of education and demonstrated experience. Proven experience working with sensitive information and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.