Senior Director, Principal Gifts

Northeast Ohio Medical University - Rootstown, OH

Full-time - Senior

Rootstown, OH

Educational Services

About the position

The Senior Director of Principal Gifts is a strategic leadership role focused on securing significant philanthropic investments to support the institution's mission. This position involves managing relationships with ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families capable of making principal-level gifts, ensuring that donor engagement aligns with the institution's long-term goals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for a portfolio of top-tier prospects.
• Partner with senior leadership, including the president, deans, and board members, to engage prospects effectively.
• Lead the preparation of high-impact proposals, presentations, and donor materials to articulate funding priorities.
• Implement complex gift negotiations, ensuring alignment with donor intent and institutional priorities.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100-125 major and principal gift prospects and donors, maintaining regular, meaningful contact.
• Leverage institutional networks to identify and connect with new principal gift prospects.
• Ensure tracking and documentation of all interactions in the institution's CRM system.
• Work collaboratively with development colleagues, academic leaders, and program directors to identify and advance gift opportunities.
• Mentor and provide guidance to leadership, staff, and volunteers on principal giving best practices and strategies.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures to enhance the effectiveness of the principal gifts program.
• Lead the development of tailored recognition and impact reports to principal donors.
• Assist and participate in donor engagement and recognition events.
• Ensure compliance with gift agreements and work closely with finance and legal teams as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• 10+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, preferably with a significant focus on securing major or principal gifts from individuals, foundations and/or corporations in higher education, health sciences education or healthcare.
• Proven track record of securing gifts of $1M+ and managing high-level donor relationships.
• Experience working directly with senior leaders, volunteers, and boards.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, and database management.
• Valid driver's license.

Nice-to-haves

• Advanced degree in law, business, nonprofit management preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge software.

Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience.