Principal Gifts Officer

Search for Principal Gifts Officer

Asian University for Women Support Foundation

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Asian University for Women Support Foundation (AUWSF) is a 501c3 that serves as the principal fundraising and development arm of the Asian University for Women (AUW) in Bangladesh. AUWSF is seeking a passionate and seasoned principal gifts officer to grow the highest-level philanthropic support for its critical mission of graduating women to be skilled and innovative professionals and service-oriented leaders in the businesses and communities in which they work and live.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the ideal candidate is a creative, focused, self-starter, and high-performing individual who thrives in an entrepreneurial and collaborative environment. They will embody a blend of intellectual curiosity, strong social acumen, a profound sense of accountability, and a bias toward action. They will demonstrate exceptional communication skills and seamlessly navigate interpersonal interactions with keen emotional intelligence. Additionally, the principal gifts officer will have a solid track record in resource mobilization, personally securing significant five and six-figure gifts while adeptly nurturing and expanding the development team and offering strategic counsel to senior leadership. They will also broaden and diversify funding sources, introduce new organizational systems and frameworks, refine performance metrics, and harness data-driven insights to inform strategic decision-making.

The incoming principal gifts officer will serve as a vital ambassador for AUW, effectively conveying the organization’s message, voice, and vision to diverse audiences. Equally crucial, they will demonstrate unwavering dedication to AUW’s mission and possess an understanding and appreciation of the institution’s history, achievements, and future aspirations.

AUWSF has retained the national executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in conducting this search. As indicated at the end of this document, all inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed to Isaacson, Miller, and will be held in the strictest of confidence.

ROLE OF THE PRINCIPAL GIFTS OFFICER

The principal gifts officer will develop annual and ongoing strategies to solicit philanthropic support from individuals capable of gifts of $100,000 and higher in support of AUW priorities and other special initiatives. This externally facing role will spend considerable time out of the office cultivating and soliciting donors and principal gift prospects, often collaborating with senior leadership. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to play a role in providing a critical pathway to leadership development, economic progress, and social and political equality.

KEY OBJECTIVES AND QUALIFICATIONS

The following are the broad objectives for the position:

• Identify and onboard prospects and actively manage a portfolio with specific cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each assigned prospect. This involves thoughtfully planning and carrying out frequent travel.
• Strategically engage and leverage the executive leadership, senior management team, and/or faculty in donor development activities when appropriate, using their time and talent effectively and providing all necessary briefings.
• Implement timely and effective follow-up and follow-through for all levels of engagement including donor meetings, event attendance, campus visits, etc.
• Proactively seek out new prospects through referrals, networking, event follow-up, and other outreach efforts.
• Develop an understanding and working knowledge of AUW’s mission and priorities and effectively articulate the case for support and gift impact.
• Incorporate AUW’s values and the ethics of professional fundraising in all aspects of work performance.

The successful candidate will bring many of the following professional qualifications, characteristics, skills, and personal qualities:

• Adept at cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding principal and transformational gifts, with a significant track record of revenue-generation success, depth of knowledge, and best practices in all key areas of development.
• Strong communication skills (both verbal and written) with the ability to translate and convey critical information, as well as AUWSF’s mission and priorities, to diverse audiences with clarity and eloquence.
• A strong lived commitment to advancing racial equity and anti-racism and an understanding of the dynamics of difference and privilege.
• Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.
• High energy with a collaborative spirit; inspirational to donors, the AUWSF Board of Directors, and colleagues.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and an inclusive approach; the ability to build trusting relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Proven ability to develop and manage productive relationships; successfully building strong and lasting relationships; personal experience in strategizing, presenting, negotiating, and closing high-level gifts.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, including the ability to plan, schedule, and carry out multiple simultaneous projects to a successful conclusion.
• A commitment to data-driven decision-making and the ability to communicate metrics effectively to a broad audience.
• Proficiency in active listening and persuasive communication across a broad spectrum of stakeholders, and adept at aligning individuals’ passions with foundation objectives.
• A self-motivated professional who can passionately model AUWSF’s mission and vision, willing to take calculated risks while demonstrating high standards of professional ethics, protecting the institution’s reputation, leveraging brand assets, and balancing creativity and structure to achieve goals.
• Willing to travel frequently.
• A bachelor’s degree is required.

Compensation and Location

Compensation for this position will be competitive and commensurate with experience, with a salary range estimated at $150,000. The foundation also provides generous and comprehensive benefits. The AUWSF office is based in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Applications, Inquiries, and Nominations

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications (including resumes and two- to three-page letters of interest to the hiring committee, responding to the challenges and opportunities outlined above), should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/asian-university-women-support-foundation/principal-gifts-officer. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.

Karen Avery, Partner

Karson Freeman, Associate

Caroline Corry, Senior General Search Coordinator

Isaacson, Miller

1800 K Street, NW, Suite 750

Washington, DC  20006

Equal employment opportunity is a fundamental principle at the Asian University for Women Support Foundation, where employment and promotional opportunities are based on individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.