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Associate Executive, Principal Gifts

PageUp Desc Code ADV - Associate Executive, Principal Gifts

Function ADV - Advancement

Subfunction Fundraising

Discipline Principal Gifts

Career Track D - Development

Career Track Level Executive - Level 1

BROAD SALARY RANGE CODE 06

RANGE $143483 - $301314

MARKET REFERENCE RANGE CODE 06C

RANGE $191873 - $297404

Classification Information

Principal Gifts

Principal Gifts identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward principal gifts from donors with the institutions highest profile, inclination, and capacity. Designs and implements strategic fundraising plans through collaboration for academic units, regional campuses, and complex markets. Typically manages a portfolio of approximately 30 prospects and gift solicitations greater than $5,000,000.

Executive

Executive: The positions work is achieved through the strategic direction of the organization as a whole. Executives have direct accountability for setting strategic goals and using resources. They are responsible for administrative oversight of a senior management area or other business unit with a universitywide scope of impact. These positions contribute to the highest-level panels and teams. The decisions made under the purview of the executive positions duties must routinely have direct impact on success across the university and impact the overall development of the university. Executive positions are reflected in the E1-E3 career track levels in the management/leadership track.

Level 1

Associate Executive: Accountable for annual execution of goals and objectives in area of responsibility; disseminates goals to direct reports and ensures goals are operationalized. Recommends and may approve policy for area of operational and/or functional control. Typically has multiple directors and managers as direct reports. Scope of responsibility is a university wide sub-function with multiple disciplines, or multiple functions within a college or business unit.

D - Development

Roles that are focused on fundraising for the organization.

Position Summary

The Associate Development Executive within Principal Gifts is responsible for advancing the university’s highest-level philanthropic efforts by leading strategic initiatives to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward transformational gifts. This role focuses on building and managing relationships with individuals capable of making principal-level contributions, typically valued at $5 million or more. Through collaboration with academic leadership, university partners, and senior advancement staff, the Associate Executive designs and implements comprehensive strategies that align donor interests with institutional priorities. This position oversees the development and execution of fundraising plans that span multiple academic units and complex markets, ensuring that opportunities for principal gifts are maximized across the university. The Associate Executive manages a select portfolio of high-net-worth prospects, guiding them through every stage of the philanthropic cycle. In addition to direct engagement with donors, this role provides strategic guidance and leadership to internal teams and university partners to elevate the university’s capacity to secure transformative gifts. The Associate Development Executive plays a vital leadership role in shaping the future of the university’s fundraising success. They are responsible for aligning principal gift strategies with broader advancement goals, providing mentorship to team members, and recommending or implementing policies to support long-term donor engagement and stewardship. With a university-wide impact, this role ensures that resources are effectively directed to enhance the institution’s mission, reputation, and long-term sustainability.