Principal Gift Officer

Principal Gift Officer, Thunderbird School of Global Management

The ASU Foundation has retained Lindauer, an executive search firm, to assist in this search. Consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled. Adele Mezher, Raegan Harvey, Emily Horsford, and Shari Berenson are leading the engagement. 

Candidates should visit the application site to submit, in confidence, a resume and cover letter.

The Principal Gift Officer (PGO) for the Thunderbird School of Global Management is a senior fundraising professional responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding transformational gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations whose philanthropy can shape the future of global leadership education.

Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with Thunderbird’s Dean and Director General, ASU Foundation leadership, and partners across the university, the PGO will design and implement innovative strategies that secure principal-level investments ($1M+) aligned with Thunderbird’s mission to educate global leaders who create sustainable and inclusive prosperity worldwide.

The successful candidate will be a skilled fundraiser, entrepreneurial relationship-builder and persuasive communicator who thrives in a fast-paced, globally networked environment and is inspired by Thunderbird’s role as a force for good in developing the entrepreneurs, industries and ecosystems of the future.

This role would suit a creative fundraiser who loves to travel and enjoys experiencing different cultures. Joining Thunderbird means being part of a dynamic, globally connected community at the forefront of global management, digital transformation and purpose-driven leadership.  This position offers the chance to partner with visionary leaders and philanthropists to expand Thunderbird’s mission and drive measurable global impact.  The PGO will be joining at a crucial time for Thunderbird, during the ASU Changing Futures campaign, which represents a significant opportunity to raise transformational and complex collaborative gifts, as evidenced by the recent announcement of a $50M gift to support the Global Institute for the Future of Energy, a joint initiative between Thunderbird and ASU’s Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory.

Phoenix/Remote Considered

What you'll do

• Designs and leads a comprehensive program of fundraising and engagement activities focused on principal-level donors, setting strategic direction in partnership with Thunderbird and ASU leadership to advance institutional priorities and global initiatives.

• Manages a personal portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, corporate leaders, and philanthropic partners with a primary focus on securing gifts of $1M or more and achieving an annual fundraising goal of at least $5M.

• Develops and executes integrated strategies that engage Thunderbird and ASU leaders, faculty, alumni, and volunteers in identifying and cultivating prospects worldwide.

• Directs the creation of compelling proposals, white papers, business plans, budgets, and investment cases that articulate Thunderbird’s vision for global impact and inspire principal-level philanthropy.

• Collaborates with Thunderbird’s global centers and ASU enterprise partners to build and strengthen relationships with international donors, foundations, and corporate partners.

• Partners with the ASUF CEO, Thunderbird Dean, and other senior leaders to identify and pursue transformational funding opportunities that advance university-wide goals.

• Ensures personalized stewardship, recognition, and ongoing engagement for donors in portfolio.

• Collaborates with colleagues in alumni engagement, donor relations, marketing, and research to align efforts and share insights.

• Within area(s) of responsibility, maintains up to date knowledge on key alumni and high-level donors

• Sustains and elevates working relationships with deans, chairs, directors, and faculty members within area(s) of responsibility

• Ensures accurate and timely documentation of all prospect activity in accordance with ASUF policies.

• Ensures the proper stewardship and recognition of donors in portfolio

• Ensures compliance with prospect management guidelines for tracking and maintenance of contact and progress reporting

• Serves as a key member of the Thunderbird advancement team and a resource to colleagues within ASUF and ASU.

What you'll need

• A demonstrable global mindset and ability to work across cultures with diplomacy and sensitivity

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to build trust with diverse, global stakeholders

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with persuasive proposal and presentation experience

• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

• Strong knowledge and understanding of database management

• Ability to use ‘systems thinking’ to understand and articulate global challenges and create compelling proposals

• Ability to exercise good judgment, to demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others

• Sound knowledge of fundraising techniques and how to optimize effectiveness in an integrated, global advancement model

• Ability to foster effective working relationships within a team environment

• Proficiency with donor management systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Commitment to ASU’s vision and Thunderbird’s mission.

• Flexibility and agility in a fast-paced, global environment.

Relevant qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree

• Ten (10) years of successful professional development and/or fundraising experience 

• Or any equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved

• Documented success in personally implementing sophisticated, multi-year cultivation strategies that use a relationship-building and moves management approach leading to successful gift closure

• Demonstrated ability in securing major grants and gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other private funding sources including principal level gifts of $1M+

Preferred education and experience

• Advanced degree

• Five (5) to seven (7) years of years of successful professional development and/or fundraising experience in higher education or college athletics for applicable roles

• Prior experience living or working internationally or within globally distributed teams

• Experience working in Salesforce and Workday

Preferred skills and abilities

• Ability to navigate the complexities of transnational giving

• Understanding of philanthropic cultures and practices around the world

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

About ASU Foundation

The ASU Foundation fosters partnerships between ASU and like-minded individuals, corporations and foundations who believe in ASU’s mission and provide resources for ASU to manifest its charter into meaningful impact. These partnerships empower ASU to advance student access, serve our community, protect the planet, create equity in higher education and conduct research for the public good.

At the ASU Foundation we value

Character
We prioritize character and integrity in every decision and action, establishing trust as the foundation of all that we do.
 

Service
We are dedicated to serving our students, donors, communities, and colleagues by fostering support and collaboration to ensure that our efforts are impactful.
 

Innovation
Innovation drives us to create meaningful opportunities and solutions, helping every member of our global community achieve meaningful outcomes.