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The Director of Principal Gifts reports to the Executive Director of University Development, Ellen Medearis, and is a member of the University's senior development team. The Director is responsible for developing and managing a principal gifts effort for the university, working with the university's senior leaders, colleagues in university development, associate deans for development of the schools, and directors of other units.
This individual will manage a principal gifts program of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects with a focus on those with the ability to make minimum gifts of $5,000,000. The incumbent will work closely with the Executive Director, the Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Development, Robert Shepard, and others to develop strategies for principal gifts.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
- With the Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Development and the Executive Director, manage the president's principal gifts portfolio, developing strategies, providing written materials and oral briefings, and assisting with solicitations;
- Assist in managing the principal gift prospects assigned to other university leaders, developing strategies, providing written materials and oral briefings, and assisting with solicitations;
- Organize a program of principal gifts solicitation that coordinates activity among the colleges, the professional and graduate schools, units, and the central development office;
- Plan and staff the Vice President and Executive Director in meetings concerning strategies for top prospects to Duke University;
- Oversee and advise on briefings and strategies for the President, Provost, and other key leaders involved with principal gifts solicitation;
- Develop a portfolio of prospects and maintain active efforts to evaluate prospects identified through fieldwork, screening, and research;
- Maintain database of presidential contacts and coordinate communication;
- Oversee the database of principal gift prospects;
- Prepare and assist in prospect management meetings when principal gift prospects are discussed or assigned;
- Develop personalized stewardship plans for principal gift donors with the director of development services and director of donor relations;
- Prepare budgets and approve expenditures for the principal gifts unit;
- Initiate operating plans for principal gifts program, including campaign strategies;
- Develop wealth management resources for potential supporters through affiliation with the office of gift planning;
- Supervise a project coordinator for general office management;
- Personnel actions include, but are not limited to, recruiting, training, performance appraisals, and promotions; and
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong desire to associate with Duke University and champion its mission;
- Bachelor's degree required; graduate degree preferred;
- Demonstrated successful experience and effectiveness in major and principal gift fundraising, preferably in an education setting, for a minimum of ten (10) years;
- Significant experience working with volunteers and volunteer groups;
- Demonstrated ability to handle multiple, complex fundraising activities simultaneously and coordinate solicitation strategies in a decentralized environment;
- Ability to develop and implement a fundraising plan;
- Demonstrated motivational and pragmatic consensus building skills;
- Ability to organize, establish objectives and priorities and achieve goals;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills;
- High level of creativity, initiative, and motivation;
- Team orientation and willingness to set an example for real leadership;
- Ability and willingness to travel.
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