Assistant Vice President, Principal Gifts

The Edge Group; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Edge Group in Houston, TX is seeking an Assistant Vice President, Principal Gifts to lead a comprehensive principal gifts program and drive year‑round engagement with major donors. You will collaborate with executives, volunteers, and boards to expand the donor base and secure strategic investments for the nonprofit sector.

You will oversee prospect research, wealth analytics, and fund development strategies while managing a team and coordinating with cross‑functional partners to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Management or related field from an accredited university.
• Experience leading principal/major gifts programs and teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead a comprehensive principal gifts program and year-round engagement strategies.
• Oversee prospect identification, wealth analytics, and donor growth strategies.
• Manage and develop a team of fundraising professionals and coordinate with volunteers.

Skills

Leadership

Donor stewardship

Prospect research

Strategic fundraising

Relationship management

Budgeting/financial management

Communication (written and oral)

Team development

Major gifts fundraising

Stewardship events

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Management or related field

Job description

Assistant Vice President, Principal Gifts

Houston, TX

We are hiring an Assistant Vice President, Principal Gifts for our client, a large, mission‑driven nonprofit serving the Greater Houston region, focused on strengthening community well‑being through strategic investment, community partnerships, and impact‑driven programs.

SUMMARY:

This AVP provides leadership in identifying, attracting, cultivating, and soliciting and stewarding principal gifts and pipeline donors to support the fundraising efforts. This role's responsibilities are twofold; (1), leading and further developing a strategic and comprehensive program to identify prospects and present strategies to cultivate and increase giving in the areas of assigned responsibility while securing new donors and meeting growth goals; and (2) leading the effort in conducting prospect research using financial data, information from multiple news sources and wealth screening services to increase the donor base among corporate donors and high‑level donors outside the workplace.

The position requires the coordination and support of high‑level volunteers, development and execution of a year‑round communication and engagement program, moves management strategy, building relationships with donors and prospects, extensive research on donors and prospects, and assisting with coordination of cultivation events. Reporting to the Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer and leading a team of professional staff, this Assistant Vice President must work collaboratively with the entire Advancement team, corporate donors, key volunteers, and individual donors.

A key responsibility of this position is the ability to listen well and possess strong interpersonal skills to perceive and react sensitively to the needs and interests of potential donors. The incumbent will be flexible, self‑motivated, accurate, professional, and detail oriented. Adeptness in conveying the story of the organization to a diverse group of donors and prospects for their cultivation is paramount.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Principal & Major Gift Strategy:

• Lead a comprehensive principal gifts program.
• Drive year‑round engagement strategies that increase giving and expand the major donor base.

Prospect Research & Growth Strategy:

• Oversee prospect identification and wealth analytics.
• Interpret financial and market data and build strategies that grow high‑level donor participation.

Team Leadership & Operational Management:

• Manage and develop a team of fundraising professionals.
• Collaborate on annual budgets, work plans, and campaign reporting.
• Ensure alignment across Advancement functions.
• Partner closely with executive volunteers, corporate leaders, and key stakeholders.
• Support cultivation events and high‑impact donor experiences.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with Advancement, Marketing, Finance, and organizational leadership to support strategic priorities and donor stewardship.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Management or related field from an accredited university
• 10 to 15 years of experience in fundraising
• Minimum of 7 years in fundraising leadership, managing a team to achieve desired results
• Successful track record in relationship development and management, extensive fundraising, and community engagement activities with individuals and the community in a major metropolitan area; deep familiarity with the Houston area philanthropic landscape and its major donor community strongly preferred
• Demonstrated success in leading non‑profit fundraising campaigns
• Knowledge and appreciation of digital engagement and its use in the integration of technology platforms and social media used into the overall fundraising strategy which includes attracting new donors, improving donor retention and payment processing
• Knowledge of non‑profit governance and work experience with volunteers including Boards of Directors
• Demonstrated ability to work with and gain the respect of a broad constituency base, including executive levels in business, industry and government, foundation management, service providers and other key community leaders
• Proven ability to work with donors and C‑Suite executive volunteers
• Proven ability and willingness to solicit individuals one on one
• Demonstrated ability to train, motivate, supervise and lead professional and administrative staff
• Understanding of the non‑profit culture with the ability to work collaboratively across the organization and gain the respect of a diverse team of peers and staff
• Demonstrated expertise in budgeting and financial management
• Strong communicator, both written and oral