Principal Gift Officer

Primary Purpose: To significantly increase and diversify revenue by obtaining philanthropic support from donors and prospects (including individuals, corporations, foundations) in the form of major and principal gifts to support USask.

Nature of Work: The Principal Gifts Officer understands and evaluates the development activities taking place across the university in order to strategically advance its relationships with donors and other stakeholders. This position engages donors in key programs and initiatives, articulating opportunities and the impact of their financial investments with the mandate to build relationships that support major and principal gift programs.

 The work requires a proactive approach in a complex environment and ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences. Establishing and maintaining positive relationships and modeling best practices is essential. This position makes discretionary decisions and uses excellent judgement to determine appropriate procedures in alignment with legislative requirements and institutional policies. Accuracy and attention to detail is essential to ensure information provided to others is correct.

 The University of Saskatchewan values diversity and Indigenous engagement is a strategic priority.  In support of this priority, the position will lead a team environment which recognizes and supports the importance and value of diversity in achieving the mission of the University, and actively seek out those with diverse cultural backgrounds, perspective and experiences to support the mission.

 In University Relations, the nature of our work centers on our guiding principles of being:

• Inspiring: We are confident in ourselves and our goals. We instill confidence and excitement in others to bring them along with us.
• Committed to each other’s success: We look for opportunities to make all our teams and the University successful.
• Collaborative and integrated: We work together toward shared goals.
• Solutions- and action-oriented: We continuously seek a path forward and we get things done.
• Brave and courageous: We expect to encounter obstacles.
  We face these challenges head-on.
• Respectful: We demonstrate our regard for others through listening, understanding, and acknowledging the contributions of all.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

• Actively manage a portfolio of major and principal gift donors and prospective donors with a focus on those who have the ability to make significant principal gifts to support institutional priorities.
• Develop strategies, identify, evaluate, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors.
• Works with the Director, Principal Gifts, Associate Vice President, Development and other colleagues to foster collaboration across portfolios, units, and centers to ensure proper engagement with donors and key stakeholders.
• Consults with development colleagues to provide recommendations on the development and implementation of advancement and donor strategies to help ensure a consistent and coordinated university-wide approach.
• Develop tailored principal and major gift proposals and case statements relevant to the portfolio.
• Provide support to senior leadership prospect portfolios including identification, cultivation, solicitation strategy and proposal development for principal gift prospects.
• Strengthen long-term relationships with the university’s principal gift donors by ensuring they are stewarded and recognized in ways that are meaningful to them and that are in alignment with institutional recognition guidelines.
• Work with development colleagues on internal and external communications, briefing notes, research profiles, funding proposals, gift agreements and stewardship reports, particularly in support of the university’s senior leadership.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

Scope:

• The Principal Gifts Officer is a fundraising expert working routinely with matters that are time-sensitive, complex, sensitive in nature, confidential and with a significant impact on the University in terms of its relationships, resources and reputation.
• Key university partners include academic leaders such as deans and executive directors of research institutes, centres or schools. Key external partners include donors, alumni and other stakeholders of influence.
• Given the nature of the position and stakeholders to the Development portfolio, work outside of the University’s regular operating hours is anticipated.

Education: Undergraduate degree required, advanced degree strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ progressive experience in fundraising.
• Previous experience working with volunteers and donors.
• Professional experience in development or higher education preferred.
  Demonstrated success in building and managing collaborative relationships, managing multiple projects, identifying target audiences and managing prospect relationships and strategies through to successful solicitation.
• Ability to compose professional level correspondence and meet deadlines with excellent proofreading skills and command of language, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Skills:

• Enthusiasm for the mission of public universities and resonance with the University of Saskatchewan’s mission, vision and values.
• Proven success in building productive, long-term relationships with senior university and campus administrators, faculty, staff, donors, alumni, and other external stakeholders.
• Strong commitment to team building and professional development.
• Creativity and the ability to foster creativity in others.
• High proficiency in project management, attention to detail, prioritization of work and organizational skills required.
• High competence in computer programs, web-based content management systems and applications.
• Demonstrated ability to think and perform strategically.