Principal Gift Officer - Athletics

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

• 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