Description

External Retirement Plan TRS or ORP Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information
8:00am-5:00pm; Must be willing and able to work evenings and weekends, as necessary.
Advertised Salary Commensurate with qualifications and experience Posting Date 11/12/2025 Open until filled Yes Closing Date Proposed Starting Date 01/01/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants

• This position is structured as a permanent position within the Division of Development & Alumni Relations. We are unable to sponsor a work visa for this position.
• While this position is primarily based in Athens, GA, the hiring unit is open to considering a mobile work arrangement for candidates residing anywhere within the United States of America.

Location of Vacancy Athens Area EEO Policy Statement
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).
USG Core Values Statement
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Position Information

Classification Title Principal Gifts Officer III FLSA Exempt FTE 1.00 Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience
Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred or bachelor's degree and 7 years of related higher education experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience related to sales, marketing, development, business administration, higher education, project management, or relationship management
• Experience with comprehensive campaigns is a plus
• Knowledge of private funding landscape in higher education
• Ability to establish the trust of colleagues and build strong relationships with key faculty/staff

Position Summary
The Senior Director of Principal Gifts reports to the Senior Executive Director of Development and is a key member of the Principal Gifts team within the Office of Development & Alumni Relations (DAR). This role provides strategic leadership in the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of principal gift prospects university-wide. The Senior Director partners with fundraisers and university leadership to develop and implement donor-centric strategies that align institutional priorities with donor passions. The position also supports and mentors fundraisers across campus, helping advance principal gift conversations and providing guidance on proposals, engagement strategies, and stewardship. The role also requires donor-facing work, focusing on a strategic portfolio of prospects and ensuring the division's fundraising efforts are effective, coordinated, and impactful.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Strong people management skills and time management skills
• Ability to cultivate and solicit private gifts from high-level prospects
• Knowledge of IRS rules and regulations regarding charitable gifts and non-profit organizations
• Initiative-taker and highly motivated
• Collaborative style combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment
• Excellent writing skills with extreme attention to detail and confident, strong verbal communication
• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible
• Collaborative strategist able to effectively manage complex situations
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple projects
• Analytical, with adherence to self-guided goals and deadlines
• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities
• Ability to maintain high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to university business and confidential donor and prospect information
• Skilled using Microsoft Office products such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Creative thinker with ability to receive constructive feedback on ideas
• Ability to respond to donors needs and concerns in a kind and professional way
• Ability to work effectively in both leadership and support roles, adapting to team and organizational needs

Additional Division Expectations:

• Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.
• Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting are expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.

Physical Demands

• Work in a standard office environment
• Travel in and out of state
• Work nights and weekends as necessary
• Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening
• Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail; multi-task
• Lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb

Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes Is this a Position of Trust? Yes Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? Yes Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes Credit and P-Card policy
Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
Background Investigation Policy
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities
Principal Gift Fundraising

Note: Fundraising goals are established annually

• Engage in donor-facing development efforts for a strategic, small portfolio of prospects not necessarily limited by territory, primarily in a mentoring/support capacity; portfolio size may fluctuate with team needs.
• Participate in prospect visits and donor meetings on campus and off-site as appropriate.
• Collaborate with fundraisers and university leadership to identify, prioritize, and solicit principal gift prospects.
• Identify donors that have potential for increased giving to a principal gift level.

Percentage of time 30 Duties/Responsibilities
University-Wide Principal Gift Strategy and Pipeline Management

• Maintain in-depth awareness of strategies, engagements, and next steps for prospects in the university's principal gift pipeline.
• Work with fundraisers and the DAR Prospect Management team to ensure prospect strategies and activity are clearly documented and progressing in the giving and alumni database (GAIL) CRM system.
• Proactively monitor the division's principal gift pipeline health, flagging areas where action is needed and help troubleshoot stalled progress.
• Partner with fundraisers across campus to develop and implement donor-centric strategies for principal gift prospects, helping coordinate support from university partners for proposals and donor engagement.
• Lead prospect strategy sessions, mentor fundraisers, and deliver training workshops on topics such as, but not limited to identifying high-potential prospects, starting blended gift conversations, crafting proposals for key priorities, and leveraging gift vehicles like IRAs and donor-advised funds.
• Provide direct support for proposals, funding menus, donor presentations, and other materials to advance gift conversations.
• Identify and recommend events, engagement opportunities, and recognition moments to advance donor conversations.
• Model and encourage best practices in CRM usage (e.g., logging interactions, tracking progress, entering meeting notes and next steps).
• Partner with DAR Donor Relations and unit teams to guide effective stewardship strategies; monitor principal gift stewardship for quality and timeliness.
• Assess development resources and expertise across schools/colleges/units and identify areas for additional support.
• Collaborate with university leadership and unit development teams to understand institutional fundraising priorities.
• Help identify current and potential principal gift prospects aligned with those priorities.
• Work with fundraisers to craft and execute effective, donor-centered fundraising plans for these opportunities.

Percentage of time 60 Duties/Responsibilities
Operational Responsibilities

• Complete managerial processes critical to travel, scheduled meetings, and fundraising performance.
  • Complete telephone/correspondence/preparation/follow-up; record meetings, interactions, and plans in GAIL in a thorough and timely manner after the completion of individual meetings and/or trips.
  • Prepare timely, accurate, and relevant proposals, presentations, and other fund-raising materials as needed for solicitation.
  • Develop a strategy or plan for each prospect assigned with a written solicitation strategy in place for each person.
  
  
  
• Attend university events and development staff meetings as required.
• Participate in university events and programs, as well as continuing education as needed.

Percentage of time 10

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact

Contact Details
For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.
Recruitment Contact Name Development & Alumni Relations' Office of Talent Management Recruitment Contact Email dartalent@uga.edu Recruitment Contact Phone

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * How did you hear about this job opportunity in the Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR)?
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • DAR Careers Page
   • Handshake
   • Insight Into Academia
   • Inside Higher Ed
   • LinkedIn
   • UGAJobs (UGA's job board)
   • Other (Please provide name of source)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents