Assistant Director of Principal Gifts

Assistant Director of Principal Gifts

Job No: 497088
Position Type: full-time
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Categories: University Advancement / Alumni Relations

University Advancement (UA) is here to advance the mission of Bucknell University by engaging the Bucknell community. With the support of alumni, parents and friends - by opening doors to career opportunities, engaging others to join the conversation and community, and entrusting us with their philanthropic commitments -- we can further elevate Bucknell as a leader in undergraduate education.

Our division is dedicated to this mission and unified by five values:

• Lead with Integrity
• Embrace a Collaborative and Inclusive Spirit
• Be Open and Receptive
• Nurture Creativity and Innovation
• Foster a Culture of Empowerment and Knowledge

These values also illustrate how we, as a division, bring the University's strategic plan to life and exercise our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion on a daily basis.

As part of UA and with focus on specific Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), the Assistant Director of Principal Gifts is a keen task master and collaborative project manager who ensures that strategic activity is taken with Bucknell's assigned prospects capable of seven (7) figure support. The Assistant Director is mainly responsible for facilitating engagement activities and tracking progress with the institution's prospects who are capable of making seven-figure+ gifts.

The position is based in Lewisburg, PA and reports to the Director of Principal Gifts.

Job Duties:

• Serving as a mindful task master and project manager of the principal gift prospect pool, develop agendas for bi-weekly prospect review sessions and drive progress and follow up activity focused on the institution's top-rated prospects who will consider gift requests within 12 months.
• Ensure cross-division activity is executed with Bucknell's prospects at the $1 million+ level. Report on activity for these prospects and, at times, coordinate the activity with other gift officers and administrators.
• Facilitate customized action plans, including weekly contact with senior administrators, for the institution's top 40 prospects.
• Implement key engagement programs for prospects who are rated $1M+ such as regional leadership briefing events, small dinners, customized stewardship plans, campus visits and other programs designed for these elite prospects.
• Work with the Director of Principal Gifts and other colleagues to draft gift proposals, presentations, senior administrator briefings, and travel information for prospects.
• Monitor next step activity for principal gift prospects and recommend engagement opportunities.
• Working with the Center for Alumni and Family Engagement, manage invitation lists and other event activities for principal gift prospects.
• If desired, this position will also be responsible for managing a small portfolio of principal gift prospects; this responsibility is dependent on a candidate's skill set, interest in this responsibility, and ability to travel.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• 5 years of experience in an advancement office, including at least 3 years of prospect management experience if the candidate wishes to manage a principal gift portfolio
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, including events and prospect activities, with high attention to detail
• Demonstrated experience working with senior leadership, donors and volunteers
• Demonstrated success working with colleagues across and at all levels of an organization
• Superior written and oral communication skills with the ability to articulate a compelling case for philanthropic support programs
• Demonstrated practical application and experience with technology such as database functions/reports, MS Office products, G-Suite, etc.
• Ability to travel, including air travel to major metropolitan cities
• Valid U.S. driver's license

The Assistant Director of Principal Gifts demonstrates organizational and interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, tact, discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality inside and outside of UA. The Assistant Director also demonstrates an ability to function independently yet relate comfortably to a multifaceted fundraising environment, participating in and contributing to a total team effort.

Other Requirements:
This position requires occasional evening and weekend work to support UA's events including blocks of time for major events such as Family Weekend, Reunion, and Homecoming, and other event support as required. Exceptions require supervisory approval. Also required is a commitment to attend, participate, facilitate or lead on-campus and off-campus events/activities outside of normal business hours as appropriate.

Exempt Employees:
Exempt employees are required to work as much time as is necessary to fulfill the requirements of the position without additional compensation, even if the work is performed beyond standard work hours.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5 years of prospect strategy or prospect management experience in an advancement office
• Project management training and/or experience
• Comprehensive campaign experience
• Event planning experience
• Higher education experience
• Persuasive writing and oral communication skills

Work Type:
This full-time, 12-month, exempt, benefits-eligible position reports to the Director of Principal Gifts, based in Lewisburg, PA, and may be eligible for hybrid work arrangements.


To apply, visit https://careers.bucknell.edu/en-us/job/497088/assistant-director-of-principal-gifts

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