Principal Gift Officer, Athletics

Arizona State University; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

401(k) with matching

22 days vacation

11 holidays including birthday

Parental leave

Tuition reductions

Professional development

Cell phone reimbursement

Job summary

ASU Foundation in partnership with Sun Devil Athletics seeks a Principal Gift Officer to drive transformational philanthropy, manage a portfolio of ultra‑high‑net‑worth donors, and secure multi‑million gifts for athletics.

You will work closely with ASUF leadership and athletics executives to design engagement strategies, develop proposals, and steward long‑term partnerships that advance athletic priorities and capital initiatives.

Qualifications

• Ten or more years of progressive experience in higher education, athletics, nonprofit fundraising, or similar fields.
• Proven success securing major and principal gifts, preferably within intercollegiate athletics or high-profile advancement environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 40–50 principal- and leadership-level athletics prospects with independent responsibility for engagement strategies.
• Close $10–20 million annually in new gifts and commitments.
• Collaborate with ASUF and Athletics leadership to cultivate high-impact donor relationships.
• Lead the development of compelling proposals, budgets, naming opportunities and collateral.

Skills

Portfolio management

Major gifts fundraising

Donor relationship building

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Donor database systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Principal Gift Officer Sun Devil Athletics, in partnership with the ASU Foundation (ASUF), advances Arizona State University’s mission by building transformational partnerships with alumni, fans, and donors, who believe in the power of athletics to elevate institutional pride, student‑athlete success, and national competitiveness. The Principal Gift Officer, Athletics will work in close partnership with ASUF leadership and Sun Devil Athletics executive leadership to design and execute the most significant philanthropic opportunities supporting ASU Athletics. The Principal Gift Officer will personally manage a portfolio of 40–50 ultra‑high‑net‑worth individuals and organizations toward optimal engagement, investment, and long‑term partnership with Sun Devil Athletics.

What you'll do

Manage a portfolio of 40–50 principal‑and leadership-level athletics prospects, with independent responsibility for developing and executing highly customized engagement strategies that lead to transformational philanthropic investments in Sun Devil Athletics. Closes $10–20 million annually in new gifts and commitments. Partner closely with ASUF leadership, Sun Devil Athletics leadership, including the Athletics Director, head coaches, and senior athletics administrators, to cultivate and steward authentic, high‑impact relationships with donors and prospects aligned with athletic priorities.

Collaborate with ASUF and Athletics development colleagues to proactively manage a principal giving portfolio, with a primary focus on securing gifts of $5M+ in support of athletics facilities, endowments, programs, student‑athlete experiences, competitive excellence, and long‑term strategic initiatives. Athletics facilities priorities include, but are not limited to, Packard Drive Practice Facility, Desert Financial Arena, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Farrington Stadium, Track & Tennis relocation and the creation of a Broadcast Studio. Serve as a strategic connector between donors and ASU Athletics leadership, coaches, and student‑athlete initiatives, ensuring prospects are engaged in ways that reflect their interests while advancing departmental goals.

Lead the development of compelling proposals and investment opportunities, including written proposals, budgets, naming opportunities, and customized collateral that articulate the vision and competitive aspirations of Sun Devil Athletics. Provide senior‑level fundraising counsel to athletics leadership on emerging priorities, campaign strategies, donor readiness, and marketplace opportunities impacting intercollegiate athletics. Participate in strategic planning and campaign leadership for athletics fundraising initiatives, working with ASUF and Athletics leadership to identify funding needs, growth opportunities, and donor‑aligned strategies.

Maintain rigorous prospect management practices, ensuring accurate tracking of visits, solicitations, and stewardship activities within ASUF systems and in alignment with foundation protocols. Ensure exemplary stewardship and recognition of athletics donors, reinforcing long‑term relationships and sustained philanthropic engagement with Sun Devil Athletics. Serve as project manager for complex, multi‑layered athletics proposals involving multiple stakeholders, institutional priorities, and long‑term funding commitments. Manage assigned budgets, ensuring maximum philanthropic ROI while maintaining fiscal discipline and accountability. Maintain current knowledge of key alumni, donors, and national athletics fundraising trends, and partner with research colleagues to proactively identify and qualify new prospects. Other duties as assigned, in support of Sun Devil Athletics advancement goals.

What you'll need

A creative, entrepreneurial approach to athletics fundraising, paired with intellectual curiosity and strong self‑direction. Demonstrated professional credibility and executive presence to build trust with athletics leadership, donors, coaches, and institutional partners.

Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to translate athletics vision and competitive ambitions into compelling philanthropic opportunities. High‑level interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate complex relationships across athletics, the university, and external constituencies.

Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills, with experience synthesizing information into persuasive proposals and strategic concepts. The ability to operate with flexibility, discretion, and sound judgment in a fast‑paced, high‑visibility athletics environment. Demonstrated commitment to ethics, confidentiality, and donor trust, particularly in athletics‑related advancement.

Proven success in raising donor aspirations, securing transformational gifts, and advancing institution‑wide athletic initiatives. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously. A genuine passion for intercollegiate athletics and the ability to project a positive, enthusiastic image of Sun Devil Athletics. Commitment to engaging donors across diverse communities and backgrounds.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office and donor database systems. Ability and willingness to travel frequently, including evenings and weekends, in support of athletics engagement and events.

Relevant qualifications

Relevant qualifications Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred. Ten or more years of progressive experience in higher education, athletics, nonprofit fundraising, or similar fields. Proven success securing major and principal gifts, preferably within an intercollegiate athletics or high‑profile advancement environment.

Preferred education and experience

Experience working directly with athletics executives, head coaches, or senior university leadership. Demonstrated success advancing department‑wide or institution‑wide athletics initiatives, major capital projects, or competitive excellence campaigns. Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships in a highly visible, performance‑driven environment.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution
• 22 days of vacation time
• 11 holidays, including your birthday
• Parental leave
• Significant tuition reductions
• Professional development is highly valued at ASU Foundation, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest
• $30 bi‑weekly cell phone reimbursement

About ASU Foundation

The ASU Foundation fosters partnerships between ASU and like‑minded individuals, corporations and foundations who believe in ASU’s mission and provide resources for ASU to manifest its charter into meaningful impact. These partnerships empower ASU to advance student access, serve our community, protect the planet, create equity in higher education and conduct research for the public good. At the ASU Foundation we value Character We prioritize character and integrity in every decision and action, establishing trust as the foundation of all that we do. Service We are dedicated to serving our students, donors, communities, and colleagues by fostering support and collaboration to ensure that our efforts are impactful. Innovation Innovation drives us to create meaningful opportunities and solutions, helping every member of our global community achieve meaningful outcomes. The ASU Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Learn More: Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University creating an institution that is committed to excellence, access and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes and how they succeed, not by those it excludes. ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good and assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it. The ASU Foundation fosters partnerships between ASU and like‑minded individuals, corporations and foundations who believe in ASU’s mission and provide resources for ASU to manifest its charter into meaningful impact. These partnerships empower ASU to advance student access, serve our community, protect the planet, create equity in higher education and conduct research for the public good.

Our Mission:

The ASU Foundation builds partnerships and relationships, uniting ideas, people, philanthropic support and investments to advance ASU’s goals for inclusion, student success, discovery, and local and global impact.

Our Vision:

To become nationally recognized as the model for A New American University Foundation.

Our Values:

Character: We prioritize character and integrity in every decision and action, establishing trust as the foundation of all that we do.

Service: We are dedicated to serving our students, donors, communities, and colleagues by fostering support and collaboration to ensure that our efforts are impactful.

Innovation: Innovation drives us to create meaningful opportunities and solutions, helping every member of our global community achieve meaningful outcomes.

Benefits:

Employees and eligible dependents enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance; a 401(k) plan; and significant tuition reductions.

Details about our comprehensive benefits are available here.

Questions, Comments and Inquries: Email: [e-mail]