Vice President for Principal Giving

Southern Methodist University seeks a visionary advancement leader to serve as its inaugural Vice President for Principal Giving. The VP will play a pivotal role in shaping the university's philanthropic future and helping define the next era of fundraising excellence.

What You Will Do

The successful candidate will develop a comprehensive approach to identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors capable of making transformational investments. They will serve as a strategic partner to the president and senior leadership team, help shape campaign priorities and philanthropic messaging, and establish the frameworks that connect donor interests to the university's most impactful opportunities.

Why It Might Be a Fit

The incoming VP will be energized by the opportunity to build, helping to establish the structures, partnerships, and philanthropic ambitions that will define principal giving at SMU for years to come. They will be an accomplished principal gifts professional and collaborative leader who combines strategic vision with operational discipline.

Requirements

• A minimum of ten years of professional fundraising experience and at least seven years of management experience, preferably within a private research university setting.
• Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding seven- and eight-figure gifts and the ability to inspire high-net-worth individuals to provide significant philanthropic support to an institution.
• Demonstrated experience strategically contributing to and guiding comprehensive campaigns, ideally from inception to successful close and post-campaign analysis.
• Professional credibility, intellectual depth, maturity, and collaborative skills to garner the trust and confidence of the President, Provost, deans, board members, faculty, and volunteer leaders.
• The ability to lead, mentor, and motivate staff, and to encourage growth and change in both people and programs.
• Exemplary interpersonal communication skills; active, engaged listener; superior written and oral communication skills; clarity, crispness, and elegance in writing and speaking.
• The ability to build bridges and strong collaborative relationships with all members of an operation.
• A sharp eye for operational efficiency and the best use of resources.
• The ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and with confidence and discretion.
• Impeccable attention to detail; superb follow-through; strong personal integrity, charisma, and work ethic coupled with a sense of humor and perspective.
• The personal flexibility to travel and work evenings or weekends as required.
• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.