Principal Gifts Officer

at  Western University

ABOUT US

The Principal Gifts team is dedicated to raising the most significant gifts in support of Western University’s strategic priorities. An integral part of the University Advancement Team, Principal Gifts plays a key role in designing, implementing, coordinating and managing principal gift development activities for university-wide projects and initiatives across all academic and administrative units.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• University degree
• Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications or Public Relations is preferred
• Accreditation through a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation preferred

Experience:

• 3 years experience successfully managing multiple projects in a complex public sector or non-profit fundraising environment
• 5 years experience fundraising within a university or other complex non-profit environment is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated expertise in planning and executing fundraising strategies and customizing innovative and effective proposals
• Knowledge and practical application of project management techniques and tools
• Strong knowledge of principal gifts giving opportunities and cultivating and stewarding relationships
• Exceptional organizational skill and ability to manage multiple projects and rapidly changing priorities simultaneously, through demonstrated project management skills
• Capacity to think and act at a strategic level and achieve operational requirements
• Project reporting and writing skills, with the ability to facilitate stakeholder meetings
• Superior verbal and written communication skills and confidence interacting with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of an organization
• Strong written communication skills with an emphasis on proposal development and report
• Judgment, analytical and problem-solving skills with a consultative and collaborative approach to addressing issues and opportunities
• Able to build and maintain lasting relationships within department, with other departments, key business partners and external agencies
• Creative problem-solving skills and sound professional judgment, especially regarding confidential/sensitive matters and complex issues
• Positive, outgoing attitude with an unwavering commitment to customer service and teamwork
• Advanced computer skills including spreadsheet design, work processing, creating presentations and database management
• Flexibility to work outside of regular business hours to accommodate departments activities

On behalf of the Vice-President, University Advancement (VP) and the Executive Director, Principal Gifts (ED), the Principal Gifts Officer leads and provides strategic support to principal gifts cultivation and solicitation activities/projects. This position will play a key role in helping the University meet and exceed its ambitious Principal Gifts goals.
The role interacts and works collaboratively with senior leaders in University Advancement and across campus to align principal gift level prospect/donor interests with the university’s strategic priorities, and to facilitate the execution of principal gifts strategies