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Wayne State University · 3 days ago

Associate Vice President, Principal Giving

Detroit, MI

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$200K/yr - $230K/yr

7+ years exp

Wayne State University is a premier public urban research university located in Detroit, Michigan, seeking an experienced Associate Vice President for Principal Giving. The role involves providing vision, strategy, and leadership for principal and transformational giving, managing a prospect portfolio, and coordinating fundraising strategies to secure significant donations.

Hiring Manager

Itzel Jodway-Respondek

Responsibilities

Personally manage a prospect portfolio to achieve ambitious annual fundraising and visit goals

Establish and implement prospect qualification, cultivation, and solicitation strategies focusing on securing commitments of $1,000,000+

Draft and negotiate highly complex gift and pledge documentation

Establish and implement prospect qualification, cultivation, and solicitation strategies for the university’s highest-level gift donors and prospects

Devise and oversee the creation of highly customized, robust solicitation materials for principal and transformational gift donors and prospects

Work closely with the university President, Vice President of Development, and other executive leadership to secure principal and transformational gifts to fund university priorities and meet aggressive fundraising goals

Collaborate and support school- and college-based fundraising and academic colleagues on implementing strategies for principal and transformational gift donors and prospects; ensure coordination across multiple departments

Lead and convene effective and productive principal gift strategy sessions on a scheduled cadence

Supervise staff, effectively manage performance to meet individual and team initiatives; foster a collegial and highly productive work environment

Recruit, interview, hire, train, coach, evaluate, and discipline staff

Establish and communicate performance expectations in a manner that motivates and empowers staff to fulfill job duties

Encourage, support, and ensure employee participation in training and development programs

Manage unit's annual budget

Develop expense projections, approve expenditures at unit level, and monitor transactions for compliance with university policies and procedures

Network with outside professional groups and organizations to keep abreast of current industry trends and best practices related to principal gift fundraising

Represent Development & Alumni Affairs at industry or community meetings at the request of leadership

Special projects and other duties as assigned

Qualification

Fundraising strategiesSenior-level managementDonor cultivationAnalytical skillsPlanningOrganizationCommunication skillsLeadership skillsLearning agilityTechnical skillsCollaborationTeamwork

Required

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in marketing, public relations, business administration or related field

Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in the planning, development and implementation of fundraising strategies, policies and procedures for highly sophisticated individual giving programs

At least 5 years of senior-level management responsibility in a complex organization, preferably higher education

Minimum of 5 years experience managing personnel

Proven ability to qualify, cultivate and solicit high level donors and prospects

Track record of closing seven-figure gifts

Extensive knowledge, understanding and experience with university policies and procedures

Professional understanding of, and interest in, Development and Alumni Affairs best practices and general operations

Understanding of trends and best practices within higher education fundraising

Positive and collaborative professional philosophy, recognizing that this position is integral to the achievement of the goals and objectives of Development and Alumni Affairs

Ability to evaluate, interpret, and present complex information effectively in professionally prepared documents or presentations

Exhibits a willingness to partner with units across the university with integrity and high character to reach unified goals

Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and professionally both orally and in writing

Demonstrated strong leadership skills to influence and motivate individuals and groups to achieve results

Independent and innovative self-starter who displays an ability to learn quickly and easily adapts to changing situations

Ability to manage several projects simultaneously, prioritize and plan work activities while meeting respective deadlines

Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues within the division and other units to gain full understanding of the project and desired outcome

Proficient in the use of complex administrative systems software, preferably in the higher education environment

Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, especially Word, Excel and Teams

Preferred

Master's degree

Company

Wayne State University

Glassdoor3.9

A premier research university serving a diverse body of motivated students in vibrant Midtown, the cultural center of Detroit.

Founded in 1868

Detroit, mi, US

5001-10000 employees

https://wayne.edu/

H1B Sponsorship

Wayne State University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)

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2025 (76)

2024 (73)

2023 (69)

2022 (63)

2021 (68)

2020 (66)