We are looking for the next Director, Principal Gifts to build relationships with the University's most generous and transformative donors. These supporters have the capacity and interest to make gifts of $10M or more, whose philanthropy inspires significant and powerful societal change through the University. The primary focus of the role will be the development of engagement strategies for a portfolio of the University's principal gift donors and prospective donors. To do this, the incumbent will work collaboratively across the University to build philanthropic opportunities that respond to both the University's strategic priorities and the impact our donors are seeking.This role builds on the Advancement Portfolio's Principal Gifts Roadmap developed in 2021, and represents an opportunity to join an established principal gifts function that has seen demonstrated success since its inception. This role will be able to build and influence its growth as the University of Sydney builds towards its second comprehensive campaign.This role is well suited to someone with major gifts fundraising experience, who would like to focus on long-term relationships and building strategies. It is essential that you are comfortable working collaboratively with the wider major gifts team to identify and cultivate principal gift prospects, including sometimes playing a strategic and advisory role rather than a donor-facing one. To be successful in this role, you will need to take a long-term view of relationships and gifts, but have the discipline and self-motivation to execute against a plan in the short term to see progress to a goal.Reporting to the one of our Executive Directors for Development and forming part of the Senior Leadership Group of the Advancement Portfolio, this role will also be an influential voice in the portfolio's future strategy.This role is available as an 18 month fixed-term role, or a continuing position.About youThe University values . As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Director of Development (Principal Gifts), who:
has an extensive background in fundraising, with a demonstrated ability to identify and negotiate major gifts in the context of your organisation, including 7-figure gift opportunities
has a strong track record of achievement and meeting stretch financial targets through ambitious and complex gift proposals
is creative, with the ability to bring together the disparate interests of a donor and match them with an opportunity that brings together disaffiliated aspects of the university requires
is detail-oriented in relationships: given the complex nature of managing a relationship with a prospect with diverse interests and competition priorities, the need to see to the details is critical.
has demonstrated sophisticated relationship building and management skills with the ability to engage internal and external stakeholders
has highly developed organisational and time-management skills, including the ability to prioritise own workload, to work consistently within busy schedules and to meet deadlines, whilst maintaining a focus on a longer horizon.
possesses excellent professional demeanour, discretion and ability to confidently engage with sophisticated philanthropists.