KU Endowment · 2 hours ago
Principal Gifts Strategist
Lawrence, KS
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
7+ years expKU Endowment is an independent, nonprofit organization and the official fundraising foundation for the University of Kansas. The Principal Gifts Strategist serves as a senior leader responsible for driving strategy, alignment, and momentum across the philanthropic pipeline, managing high-priority donors and overseeing the Principal Gifts Coordinator.
Fundraising
Responsibilities
Serve as the primary strategic architect and “traffic controller” for principal gift activity, ensuring alignment of outreach, solicitation strategies, stewardship, and proposals across units and development teams
Lead strategic planning for top prospects and donors, guiding coordinated, multi-channel, multi-relationship engagement strategies
Ensure clarity of roles, next steps, timelines, and accountability for each prioritized donor strategy
Maintain and actively manage a curated portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, coordinating and executing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies
Provide direct supervision and leadership for the Principal Gifts Coordinator, including setting priorities, assigning work, monitoring performance, and supporting professional development
Ensure high-quality coordination, tracking, reporting, and operational support for principal and leadership gift strategies
Mentor and coach Development Directors and emerging fundraisers on strategy development, donor engagement, and moves management
Model best practices and provide feedback on donor strategy, communication planning, and portfolio management
Support a culture of learning, strategic thinking, accountability, and continuous improvement
Partner closely with Frontline Fundraisers, Donor Engagement, specifically; Stewardship, Events, Brand Communication, and Business Intelligence to ensure a seamless and coordinated donor experience
Serve as a strategic connector between campus partners and fundraising teams, helping translate institutional priorities into compelling donor strategies
Server as a strategic partner and support to KU Athletics and the University of Kansas Health System
In close collaboration with the Director of Stewardship, design, implement, and continuously refine customized, multi-year stewardship plans for high-capacity and principal-level donors, ensuring alignment with donor intent, institutional priorities, and campaign objectives
Identify stewardship gaps, risks, and opportunities, bringing forward recommendations for innovation and continuous improvement in donor experience design
Champion a proactive, relationship-focused stewardship philosophy that reinforces trust, transparency, and long-term donor loyalty
Ensure consistency in messaging, donor experience, and timing across all touchpoints
Increased velocity, coordination, and clarity in principal gift strategies
Improved movement of top prospects through pipeline stages
Stronger alignment and collaboration between units on high-level prospects
Increased confidence and performance in frontline fundraisers through coaching and strategy support
Clear documentation and tracking of donor strategies in CRM
Regular and reliable attendance is essential for this position
Performs other duties as may be assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree required
Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in advancement, fundraising, strategy, or donor engagement (preferably in higher education or large nonprofit environment)
Demonstrated experience managing high-level donor strategies and complex, cross-functional initiatives
Proven ability to lead strategy at both high-level and detailed executional levels
Demonstrated success managing major and/or principal gift portfolios
Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills
Strong mentoring and coaching abilities
High level of data literacy, including the ability to translate insights into action
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
Deep familiarity with CRM systems, data segmentation, and performance tracking tools
Experience with Salesforce preferred
Strong process orientation with experience designing, improving, and scaling workflows
Ability to influence without direct authority and drive alignment across diverse stakeholders
Unwavering commitment to a donor-centered approach
Ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships inside and outside KU Endowment
Ability to adapt to new procedures and technology
A valid driver's license
Must have access to reliable transportation to travel between multiple locations for training, donor meetings, networking, events and/or work-related activities
Must be able to respond quickly and effectively to directions and safety hazards
This job operates in a professional office environment
This role routinely uses standard office productivity machinery such as computers, keyboards and a mouse, laptops, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines
This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required
The ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer)
The person in this position frequently communicates with donors, colleagues, students, and general public
Must be able to communicate with others effectively
Physical effort/lifting: medium-up to 50 pounds
Frequent travel requirements can include the following, evenings, weekends, and out of town overnights as a regular part of the job
Benefits
100% employer-paid pension plan
Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) and Roth 401(k) matching program
Section 125 flexible benefits
Generous paid leave including holidays, personal and sick leave
Volunteer and community engagement opportunities
Paid Parental Leave
Life, AD&D, short- and long-term disability insurance
Legal & ID Theft protection
Critical Illness
Accident and Hospital Indemnity insurance
KU education assistance
Free parking
Company
KU Endowment
KU Endowment partners with donors in providing philanthropic support to build a greater University of Kansas.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
James Clark
Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer & Treasurer
Recent News
Wichita Business Journal
2025-03-15
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