Executive Director, Principal Gifts

Occidental College seeks an Executive Director, Principal Gifts to provide strategic leadership and grow the College's Principal Gifts Program. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development, this role is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting transformational philanthropic investments of $500K+ that advance the College's mission and top priorities.

Department: Institutional Advancement Mgmt.
Employment Status: Exempt, Full Time

Job Duties:

70% - Principal Gifts Fundraising and Stewardship: Provide strategic leadership and direction for Occidental's Principal Gifts Program. Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 high-capacity prospects, developing sophisticated moves management strategies. Oversee personalized proposals, briefings, and stewardship strategies that inspire transformational giving.

15% - Presidential Fundraising and Leadership Engagement: Lead identification and expansion of the pipeline of high-net-worth individuals. Partner with the VP of Institutional Advancement to engage the President, senior leaders, and volunteers in cultivating top prospects. Direct high-impact presidential development trips.

10% - Management and Mentorship: Supervise and mentor the Senior Coordinator, Principal Gifts. Lead efforts to boost principal gift activity across Institutional Advancement. Cultivate a collaborative culture of principal gifts fundraising.

5% - Institutional Advancement Duties: Track and analyze progress toward principal gift fundraising goals. Contribute to advancement initiatives including Homecoming, Family Weekend, Day for Oxy, Alumni Reunion Weekend, and campaign events.

Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Nine years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising
- Two years of supervisory experience
- Ability to travel up to 50% to support donor engagement activities
- Proven ability to secure transformational principal gifts ($500K+)
- Exceptional relationship building skills with high-net-worth individuals and institutional leaders

Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in higher education, nonprofit management, business, communications, or related field
- Experience in higher education fundraising and proficiency with CRM systems such as Salesforce

Expected Hiring Range: $142,000/yr - $200,000/yr