Principal Giving and Strategic Initiatives Officer

Principal Giving And Strategic Initiatives Officer

Advancement at CU Boulder encourages applications for a Principal Giving and Strategic Initiatives Officer. The Principal Giving and Strategic Initiatives team works with members of the campus community to align institutional priorities and donor passions in ways that ignite transformational philanthropy. By doing so, we help donors achieve their philanthropic dreams through partnerships with the University, and we help CU Boulder accelerate its role in world-changing solutions that positively impact our state, the nation, and the world.

The Principal Giving and Strategic Officer develops and implements cross-University fundraising strategies for university-wide interfaculty / intercampus initiatives and priorities. This position is critical to increasing the transformational ($5M+) philanthropic efforts for the Office of Advancement at CU Boulder. Under the guidance of the Managing Senior Director, this position partners with CU Boulder Advancement leadership and frontline fundraisers in developing the strategy, leadership engagement opportunities, and supporting materials necessary to accelerate and focus externally on the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of principal giving prospects to increase overall philanthropic support for CU Boulder.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

At CU Boulder Advancement, we are committed to fostering an environment where everyone matters and all can thrive. This dedication is rooted in our core values and our mission to drive impactful fundraising and engagement. Our team actively engages in learning, reflection, and the transformation of systems, policies, and practices that perpetuate oppressive ideologies-including racism, sexism, ableism, and heterosexism. We recognize our responsibility to lead by example in building a supportive and inclusive culture for both internal colleagues and external partners. We hold ourselves accountable through individual and divisional goals that continuously assess our progress, growth, and outcomes-ensuring alignment with our mission and values every step of the way.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Portfolio Management and Strategy and Execution :

• Actively partner with development colleagues in identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts of $5M+ to CU Boulder.
• Manage a personal portfolio of 25 - 30 prospects with the capacity to give $5M+ to CU Boulder.
• Support fundraising through direct work with prospects, and collaboration with colleagues who may have prospects with interest. Works closely with prospect teams to develop and manage engagement, solicitation, and stewardship plans / strategies for high-capacity prospective donors.
• Act as a liaison with 1 - 3 units to ensure compliance, minimize risk and aid in successful closure of all new gifts over $5M.
• Contribute to the identification, development, and refinement of compelling giving opportunities to align principal giving donors' interests with university priorities.
• Serve as an advancement point-of-contact for university-wide initiatives. Promotes university priorities and central initiatives as giving opportunities with advancement colleagues. Builds strong relationships with advancement colleagues and academic partners across CU Boulder and find alignment between assigned college / school / units and other CU campuses to leverage opportunities and proactively enhance the impact of gifts.
• Plans, staffs, and briefs senior university leaders and faculty for prospect / donor visits and events.
• Keep tabs on the intellectual content of the University and advances across the academy.
• Maintain knowledge of important developments within regional, national, and international funding environments as they relate to Boulder's philanthropic interests.
• Serve as a resource and role model to staff on matters of prospect strategy and offer innovative approaches and techniques; seek to provide creative solutions to complex solicitations; rely on experience in the field and remain current with evolving trends in philanthropy.
• Develops and enhances the principal giving and initiatives knowledge of our frontline fundraisers in assigned college / school / units through consistent professional development opportunities, to include but not limited to, training and resources on how to approach, progress and close a principal gift.
• Meet annual performance metrics and goals.

Team Leadership :

Other Development Duties as Assigned :

What You Should Know

This position will require local, regional, and out-of-state travel to meet with donors. This position has the ability to work a hybrid schedule with some days on campus and some days remote. This position will occasionally be required to work evenings / weekends.

What We Can Offer

The salary range is $155,000 - $165,000 annually. Relocation assistance may be available within Advancement guidelines.

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be engaged. Be strategic. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Education : Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience or combination of education and experience may substitute. Experience : 5+ years of principal and major gift fundraising experience.

What You Will Need

Values collaboration and celebrates team success; takes equal pride in gifts they lead and those where their contributions are behind the scenes. Expert knowledge of principal and major gift fundraising techniques and a proven track record in a university or similar environment. Expert ability to communicate verbally and in writing and develop and maintain interpersonal relationships. Expert ability to analyze information / situations and solve problems. Expert ability to handle sensitive information discreetly and maintain confidentiality. Solid ability to organize and manage multiple projects / tasks simultaneously; ability to work independently and on a team and adapt to changing priorities. Solid knowledge of current issues facing public universities and interests of assigned school, students, faculty, and alumni. Solid ability to cultivate and solicit donations from individuals at leadership gift level. Ability to champion the shared values of the Office of Advancement. Growth mindset, resilience and perseverance.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials : 1. A current resume. 2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position. We may request references at a later time. Please apply by November 12, 2025 for consideration. Note : Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.