Vice President, Principal Giving & Major Gifts

Southern Methodist University; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Methodist University seeks an inaugural Vice President for Principal Giving to lead a comprehensive principal gifts program shaping the university's philanthropic future. The VP will partner with senior leaders to secure transformational investments and build a scalable operation with a growing team.

The role requires a track record of managing major gifts, experience in complex university settings, and the ability to collaborate with trustees, deans, and volunteers to advance strategic

Qualifications

• Ten years of professional fundraising experience and seven years of management experience preferred.
• Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding seven- and eight-figure gifts.
• Experience guiding comprehensive campaigns from inception to close.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for SMU's principal gifts strategy.
• Lead a team of principal gift professionals and build a scalable program.
• Develop donor engagement strategies and cultivate transformational gifts.
• Coordinate with university leadership, deans, and volunteers to align priorities.
• Oversee proposal development, donor communications, and stewardship.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Strategic planning

Donor relations

Executive partnership

Team leadership

Campaign management

Operational discipline

Communication (oral & written)

Job description

Southern Methodist University seeks an inaugural Vice President for Principal Giving to lead a comprehensive principal gifts program shaping the university's philanthropic future. The VP will partner with senior leaders to secure transformational investments and build a scalable operation with a growing team.

The role requires a track record of managing major gifts, experience in complex university settings, and the ability to collaborate with trustees, deans, and volunteers to advance strategic