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The George Washington University · 1 month ago

Associate Director, Principal Gifts Operations

Washington, DC

Full-time

Hybrid

Mid, Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$72K/yr - $99K/yr

2+ years exp

The George Washington University is seeking an Associate Director of Principal Gifts Operations within the Division of University Advancement. This role is responsible for leading and managing principal gift opportunities, ensuring collaboration and communication around prospects, leads, and donors to elevate fundraising efforts at the university.

Higher Education

No H1B

Responsibilities

With a macro (many constituents) and micro (one constituent) view and ability to toggle between the two, manages the principal proposal and prospect pipelines, including leading strategy meetings, identification of priority constituents for discussion and agenda creation, documentation collection and dissemination, post-meeting notes and action items distribution and monitoring, and actions in CRM

Partners across departments to develop and share reports on principal gifts prospects and pipeline to showcase successes and spark collaboration, including progress on principal gifts strategies and solicitations, bespoke stewardship of principal gift donors, and efficacy in closing principal gifts; obtain up-to-date, actionable research and to track the timely development and execution of stewardship plans for principal gift donors and prospects

As the subject matter expert, partners with the Associate Vice President and the Office of the Vice President to prioritize markets for leadership travel based on principal gifts strategies and solicitations. Coordinates with colleagues across the division to ensure readiness of principal gift prospects, leads, and donors in identified markets for leadership meetings

Recommends and prioritizes principal gift prospects, leads, and donors for visits and curated events with university leadership based on proactive reviews of principally rated constituents and proposals as well as collaborative discussions across the division. Engages directly with some constituents and their proxies, typically unassigned leads, to secure leadership meetings

Develops briefing materials in advance of leadership meetings with highest level donors, prospects, and leads, particularly with unassigned leads; reviews all briefings on principally rated constituents prior to delivery to leadership

With a deep understanding of high-end donors and their approaches to philanthropy, collaboratively crafts increasingly complex strategies and orchestrates execution with advancement, academic, and administrative leadership, requiring intellectual curiosity to gain significant knowledge of the university’s priorities and areas for support

Supports the Associate Vice President in the management of her portfolio, with a specific emphasis on engagement and execution of strategies

Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position

Qualification

Higher education experienceDonor motivation understandingProject management experienceProficient in Microsoft OfficeProficient in Google SuiteCommunication skillsCollaboration skillsCustomer service skillsEditorial experienceAttention to detailProblem-solving skills

Required

Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 2 years of relevant professional experience, or a Master's degree or higher in a relevant area of study. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position

Professional experience working in higher education, other non-profit environments, communications, and/or marketing; thorough understanding of top donor motivations and strategic moves management

Excellent communication and customer service skills, particularly in working with university leadership and highest-capacity constituents with diplomacy

Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion while working with highly sensitive information

Proven ability to influence progress toward action through strong working relationships and collaboration

Experience working independently, learning quickly, and being self-motivated while contributing to the efforts and success of a team

Organization and project management experience, leveraging systems and processes, with ability to manage dynamic and competing priorities

Demonstrated strong attention to detail, impeccable recall, sound judgement, and proactive problem solving while also remaining cognizant of the big picture and overall strategic purpose

Proficient computer skills. Experience working with Microsoft Office and Google suite of products

Demonstrated writing and editorial experience