Executive Director, Principal Gifts

The Executive Director of Principal Gifts in the Office of Principal Gifts in Development and Alumni Relations is the strategic leader responsible for comprehensive development efforts resulting in transformational gifts to the institution. The position will oversee a team of approximately 10 individuals and is responsible for planning, executing, managing, and delivering upon the goals of the Office of Principal Gifts. The role reports to the Associate Vice President (AVP) of the Office of Philanthropic Partnerships. The Executive Director works closely with the AVP and is responsible for developing strong partnerships with University Leadership and colleagues in Development and Alumni Relations with a particular emphasis on stewardship for high net worth donors and prospects, Associate Deans for Development of the schools, Directors of Development for divisions in the health sciences (Nursing, Public Health and Medicine) and faculty to build enduring relationships that result in principal level ($5 million and up) philanthropic support for the Johns Hopkins Institution.

The Executive Director of Principal Gifts--Medicine at Johns Hopkins University plays a pivotal role in advancing philanthropic efforts through principal gift strategy and fundraising for the Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine (FJHM). As part of the centralized Office of Principal Gifts team, the Executive Director will focus on gifts to FJHM at or above $5 million and will be an experienced fundraiser with deep healthcare experience working in a highly complex and fast-paced institution(s) and with a strong reputation for combining accuracy and creativity into strategy and proposal development.

The Executive Director will work closely with leadership in Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), University and Medicine leadership--including the president, provost, and dean--and with trustees, faculty, and volunteers. As a driver of the institution's highest-level donor strategies, the Executive Director will embrace goal-oriented outcomes, be an entrepreneurial and creative thinker, and have a passion for the impact of philanthropy on a research institution.

This leadership position combines strategic management responsibilities with the critical task of cultivating and stewarding principal gift prospects. The successful candidate will collaborate with University and Medicine leaders, faculty, donors, and alumni to drive transformative impact through major philanthropic contributions.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership of Transformational Gift Strategy:

• Cultivate the strategic priorities of institutional leadership and translate those priorities into big ideas for transformational philanthropic gifts.
• Develop relationships with key partners among the faculty and administration who are critical to the development and implementation of big ideas supported by philanthropy.
• Lead the Office of Principal Gifts Proposals Team in proposal development and serve as a resource on big idea development
• Direct the process for select transformational gift proposals
• Coordinate key leadership expectations, strategies and timeline for solicitation with select transformational gift proposals.
  
  

Leadership Of The Office Principal Gifts

• Management of the Office of Principal Gifts (OPG), providing leadership, strategy, planning and guidance for fundraising efforts and the day-to-day functioning of the team.
• Coordinates with the Associate Vice President for Principal Gifts and other senior leadership on the discussion and development of transformational funding opportunities (of $25 million ) and for the soon to be launched campaign.
• Develops fundraising plans for existing institutional programs and other priority initiatives.
• Oversees systems, budgets and processes that help to define and make readily available the assets of the principal gifts program in support of the principal gifts effort across the institution.
• Builds trust and strong collaborative working relationships amongst members of the OPG team and assists the AVP in recruiting and developing exceptional people.
• Consults with and assists deans, administrators, and all DAR officers in the development of creative and innovative stewardship programs for communicating with and strengthening ties with principal-level donors.
• Serves as a value-added critical service for Principal Gift activities, and attends special events where stewardship is a central feature.
• Represents the Associate Vice President for Principal Gifts, as needed.
  
  

Principal Gift Prospects Primary Relationship Management

• Manage a focused portfolio of principal gift prospects.
• Deliver select proposals directly to donors.
• With DAR Leadership, create a select portfolio of institutional prospects
• Oversee this select portfolio of institutional prospects including prospect meetings, strategy, and relationship building
• Create realistic goal setting for the portfolio to include annual metrics of success
  
  

In addition to the duties described above, the Executive Director, Principal Gifts will:

• Serve as the primary liaison to DAR colleagues on gifts of $5M , ensuring coordination with the president, provost, and key university leadership
• Act as a neutral, unifying partner on multi-divisional $5M principal gifts, ensuring all divisions' priorities are represented in strategic briefings and proposals
• Deeply engage with assigned DAR teams to understand divisional priorities, campaign goals, and emerging philanthropic opportunities
• Lead and manage complex relationship and gift strategy processes, providing the internal coordination, administration, and 'lift' needed to advance gifts toward execution
• Uphold a culture of transparency, trust, and collaboration in all interactions with DAR partners and university stakeholders
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• 10 years professional level experience required including five years of management experience.
  
  

Classified Title: Executive Director Principal Gifts

Job Posting Title (Working Title): Executive Director, Principal Gifts

Role/Level/Range: L/05/LI

Starting Salary Range: Minimum: $144,900 - Maximum: $253,699 (targeted salary: $200,000; commensurate with experience)

Employee group: Full Time

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Mount Washington Campus

Department name: 10001648-Principal and Leadership Gifts

Personnel area: University Administration