Principal Gifts Officer

Reporting to the Head of Development and serving as a key member of the Individual Giving  team within the Advancement department, the Principal Gifts Officer advances the mission of Success Academy Charter Schools (SA) through the engagement and solicitation of high net worth individual donors and prospects at the Principal Gift level (i.e., gifts of $1,000,000+). Specifically, this includes managing and coordinating the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of an assigned portfolio with the goal of significantly increasing philanthropic revenues in support of SA’s ambitious goals for operational, programmatic, and capital purposes.  The successful candidate will be a seasoned fundraising professional with a demonstrated track record of managing a portfolio and soliciting/closing significant philanthropic gifts from individuals, families, and family foundations, including working in close partnership with the CEO and other executive leaders and volunteers.

The Principal Gifts Officer is a high impact, proactive, confident self-starter that thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment that values results. They are persistent and driven to succeed in advancing efforts to grow a robust pipeline of high net worth individual donors and in meeting or exceeding stretch goals. Success in this role will require the following qualities:

• Self-motivated, self-sufficient, and driven to lead and collaborate with others to achieve success.

• Detail-oriented and analytical;

• Strategic, proactive, and forward thinking;

• Persuasive, outgoing, and confident with exceptional communication skills. 

• Possesses the highest standards of personal and professional integrity; and

• Adheres to and promotes SA’s mission, culture, and strategic priorities.

  ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manages and grows a portfolio of 75-100 principal ($1,000,000+) individual donors and family foundations to meet or exceed agreed upon monthly, quarterly, and annual goals and related performance metrics with respect to portfolio management, moves management, solicitations, closures, and dollars raised. 

Develops cultivation and solicitation strategies for a portfolio of prospects and donors; builds and manages a network of relationships with prospective donors involving executives and others as appropriate.

Identifies, cultivates, solicits, closes, and stewards individual donors and family foundations through in-person meetings, written solicitations/proposals, email, and other means tailored as specifically as possible to donor preferences and engagement strategies, often in close collaboration with the CEO or Chief Advancement Officer (CAO).

Briefs, advises, and staffs executive leadership and other leaders and volunteers involved with principal donor relationships and solicitations.

Collaborates with the Head of Development, Head of Donor Engagement, and the CAO to create opportunities for meaningful donor engagement, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and prospects.

As a leader and senior member of the IG team, the Principal Gifts Officer will work with the Head of Development to mentor and coach other members of the IG team in further developing their fundraising knowledge, skills, and effectiveness, leading by example in modeling best practices.

Actively participates in the solicitation of gifts in support of marquee special events (e.g., Spring Benefit) to meet/exceed Advancement team goals.

Works closely with the Head of Development, the Project Manager for Principal Gifts, and the CAO in improving forecasting and tracking of progress against goals.

Records all significant donor interactions in Raiser’s Edge NXT database and tracks proposals, gifts, and pledge fulfillment within the assigned portfolio. Works closely with Advancement Services to monitor pledge reminders, receipts, and acknowledgement processes for portfolio donors for timeliness and accuracy.

Donor Stewardship & Communications

Works closely with other team members and Donor Engagement team, in particular, to design and implement creative and impactful donor stewardship strategies to deepen engagement and elevate individual and family foundation giving.

Authors, reviews, and/or edits strategic communications with principal donors and prospects, sometimes on behalf of others, including proposals, reports, and emails or other correspondence. Often provides advice and guidance to the Donor Engagement team about strategic relationships within the officer’s portfolio in support of CEO and other leadership communications.

Along with other IG team members, assists with annual donor recognition and stewardship efforts, events, and communications, including the SA Leadership Council.  

Special Projects & Administration 

Assists the Head of Development and Chief Advancement Officer with special projects, especially those related to principal gifts and overall individual giving, including but not limited to fundraising events, gift planning, board relations, and/or select administrative projects/tasks. 

Actively participates in overall IG team and Advancement department strategic planning and budgeting, as requested, and manages direct expenses within budget.

Remains abreast of SA programs, activities, accolades, and new initiatives to most effectively engage and/or steward donors to greater levels of support. 

Participates in and assists with SA/Advancement events, as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Minimum Required: Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred: Advanced degree. CFRE or other specialized certification/designation is beneficial.

Work Experience

7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising, investor relations, or consultative sales with high net worth individuals; experience in K-12 education and/or charter schools beneficial.

Demonstrated track record of soliciting/closing principal and major gifts of $1million and above

Specialized Knowledge Needed for Performance of Job: 

Demonstrated comfort working with high net worth individuals, family foundations, and/or family offices, as well as successful track record of identifying, cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding significant gifts, as well as building/managing donor/customer relationships. 

Experience assessing and closing major gift/business opportunities; engaging, cultivating, and stewarding new stakeholders and converting them into strategic partnerships. 

Capacity for strategic leadership and vision to work with executive leadership and key volunteers on fundraising priorities and to use moves management and metrics to ensure a high level of personal performance and accountability. 

Deep experience in effectively managing a donor/customer portfolio and consistently moving relationships towards desired outcomes and goals.

Effectiveness working independently and across teams, with assiduous attention to sharing information with others.

Skills

Proficiency in communicating complex issues with diverse audiences and inspiring their engagement and support.

Exceptional interpersonal communication skills and high level of emotional intelligence.

Exceptional writing and presentation skills.

Highly self-motivated, accountable, and able to make decisions independently.

Ability to think strategically and contextually and to anticipate the needs and expectations of manager and other executives.

Ability to manage competing priorities and multiple, concurrent tasks, exhibit flexibility, and meet deadlines.

Ability to analyze and present data effectively, make decisions, and align efforts with priorities and opportunities.

Acts with tact and discretion, respecting confidentiality and proprietary information.

Special Skills

Proficiency with RE NXT or similar CRM system is highly desirable, proficiency with MSOffice (and/or Google suite), and Internet required. 

Knowledge of relevant prospect research and philanthropic analytical tools beneficial.

Other

Superb verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Possesses a passion for the mission of SA and engages prospects with the same passion.

Ability to travel locally and nationally as needed, occasionally work after hours and on weekends.