Senior Donor Strategist, Principal gifts

University Advancement at the University of Virginia (UVA) seeks a dynamic and experienced Senior Donor Strategist to join the Principal Gifts team. The University of Virginia has a strong and high-performing advancement community, boasting a large number of talented, effective, and results-oriented professionals. Our community is comprised of a robust central advancement organization, 12 University schools, and more than 25 University-related programs. We offer a wide variety of career opportunities, as well as an outstanding environment for professional growth and development.

The Senior Donor Strategist will play a critical role in developing and executing high-level philanthropic strategies, ensuring alignment between donor interests and the University's most pressing funding priorities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in fundraising, proposal development, and donor strategy, particularly at the principal-gift level ($5M+). Exceptional research, analytical, and writing skills are essential, along with the ability to collaborate effectively with senior leaders, faculty, and development colleagues across the institution.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and implement customized donor engagement strategies that align major philanthropists with the University's highest priorities, with a primary focus on securing principal gifts ($5M+).

• Collaborate closely with senior leadership, development officers, faculty, and other key stakeholders to create and execute solicitation plans that guide donors through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Serve as a lead writer for compelling and persuasive fundraising proposals, letters of agreement/intent, and other key donor-facing materials, ensuring clarity, impact, and alignment with institutional goals.

• Conduct in-depth prospect research and analysis to identify opportunities for engagement and to craft strategic donor approaches.

• Provide expert guidance on philanthropic messaging, ensuring that donor communications reflect the University's vision, priorities, and impact.

• Monitor donor strategy execution, tracking progress, identifying opportunities for deeper engagement, and adjusting approaches as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree (relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree)

• Experience: A minimum of four years, preferably in fundraising, grant writing, proposal development, or related fields.

• Strong knowledge of fundraising strategy and the philanthropic landscape in higher education.

• Superior research, analytical, and strategic thinking skills, with a proven ability to identify donor interests and develop successful solicitation plans.

• Exceptional writing and storytelling ability, with experience synthesizing complex information into compelling narratives that resonate with donors.

• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior leaders, faculty, and development colleagues in a complex institutional setting.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently.

• High level of discretion, integrity, and professionalism in handling confidential donor information.

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience crafting philanthropic messaging for high-net-worth donors, drawing on current trends, research, and innovation in higher education.

• Ability and willingness to mentor and train colleagues in proposal writing and donor communications.

• Experience with customer relationship management platforms (e.g., Salesforce) for donor tracking and engagement.

• Familiarity with fundraising research tools (e.g., WealthX) and file-sharing platforms (e.g., SharePoint).

• Experience with, or strong interest in, applying new technologies (e.g., AI) to improve efficiency and quality of work.

This role offers a unique opportunity to play a pivotal part in advancing the University's mission through transformational philanthropy. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for donor engagement and storytelling, we encourage you to apply.

UVA Advancement offers a flexible and hybrid workplace. All team members must have access to and maintain a secure home office environment with high-speed internet service and work collaboratively with others using a variety of technologies and tools. This hybrid position may include remote work; however frequent in-person work on UVA Grounds is required. Please note: the position will also require occasional work outside of traditional office hours (evenings and weekends).

For additional information about the position, please contact April Sibiski, at nbu2ag@virginia.edu.

This is an exempt level, benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit www.hr.virginia.edu/benefits.This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding and performance.The anticipated hiring range is $90,000 - $110,000 and will be commensurate with education and experience.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physicians Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experience. We are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.