Title: Executive Director of Development, Principal Gifts
Employee Classification: Executive Dir, Development
Campus: University of North Texas
Division: UNT-Advancement
SubDivision-Department: UNT-Advancement
Department: UNT-Advancement - Gen-170000
Job Location: Denton
Salary: Commensurate with experience

ABOUT US - VALUES OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.
We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.
Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY

The Division of University Advancement strives to transform lives and unlock potential through the power of philanthropy and engagement by awakening and stewarding pride and loyalty for the University of North Texas.
Established in 1890, the University of North Texas is a place where students transform their lives through education and opportunity. With more than 46,000 students from across the state, nation, and world, UNT offers 240 academic programs — many nationally and internationally recognized. A Tier One research university and designated a Hispanic- and Minority-Serving Institution, UNT has a legacy of excellence in education, music, the arts, business and social sciences, with growing strengths in science and engineering. Last year, students earned nearly 13,000 degrees and joined UNT’s network of 480,000 alumni, fueling progress and innovation.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Principal Gift Officer will play a key role – individually and collectively – in cultivating long-term relationships with donors who have the capacity to make transformative gifts, while leveraging the relationships and vision of university leaders to secure support for strategic university priorities and initiatives. The Principal Gift Officer will be a seasoned and exceptional team-oriented fundraising professional with a demonstrated successful track record in securing multi-million-dollar philanthropic gifts.
The individual will provide creative and visionary management and coordination of fundraising endeavors for university-wide programs. They will convene campus partners and advise on the development of coordinated strategies aimed at maximizing the life-time engagement and support of a portfolio of high-net-worth households. They will help assemble key university members together with prospects around cross-cutting strategic funding priorities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree in related field and eight years of increasingly responsible leadership and/or management experience or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Understand key global and local issues effecting higher education.
• Strong knowledge of tax law changes.
• Strong marketing, public relations, and fundraising experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures.
• Experience in effectively planning, analyzing, and coordinating activities.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and with many diverse constituencies.
• Experience in developing, implementing and monitoring strategic plans.
• Demonstrated success in executing fundraising activities, identifying prospects, developing strong relationships, cultivating support and stewarding gifts.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of donor information.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s degree in any rigorous academic field and a minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience as a proven fundraising leader in a complex, decentralized, comprehensive university environment is preferred.
• Experience with high-net-worth individuals, planned giving or wealth management, work in CFR or work in STEM highly valued.
• Experience managing a major/principal gift portfolio utilizing metrics, systems, and relationship building skills to maximize strategic cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of $5 million plus donors and transformational gifts.
• A deep understanding of and commitment to an integrated advancement program; and experience in a complex major research university environment.
• Keen understanding of the natural tension that exists when working with a multitude of colleges, departments, and programs with varying priorities is essential.
• Experience working to sustain strong working relationships with staff, donors, faculty, volunteers and academic leadership is imperative.
• A strong ability to develop sincere, productive relationships and to build trust both with internal colleagues and external constituencies is a must.
• Clear and effective written and oral communication and presentation skills, including individual and large groups.
• Keen sense of requirements necessary to foster a team-centric culture and environment.
• Proven success at developing and implementing creative solicitation strategies for transformational philanthropic gifts in a team-oriented and collaborative environment.
• Superior interpersonal and listening skills and exceptional negotiation skills and proven ability to make independent decisions.

THIS ROLE HAS THREE DEFINING DIMENSIONS:

• The disciplined management of approximately 50 relationships with consistent focus and high-touch engagement, cultivation and stewardship that leads to successful solicitations strategies.
• The ability to work closely with academic leaders, fundraising colleagues, faculty, and volunteers to shape compelling ideas that will attract transformational gifts based on institutional initiatives and presidential priorities.
• The ability to work in tandem with colleagues in the University Principal Gifts program and with officers of other schools to coordinate cultivation and solicitation of prospects where there are multiple interests.
  Principal gift work requires understanding of the university’s overarching strategic priorities, as well as the programs and aspirations of the colleges and units where Principal Gifts are needed. Consultation, coordination and collaboration with regional and unit-based colleagues as well as the Vice President of Advancement is essential.