The Vice Chancellor for Principal Gifts is responsible for and plays an important front-line fundraising role for the general fundraising goals of Pepperdine University. As a principal gift officer, this position will be expected to personally raise gifts in support of the University’s fundraising priorities, focusing on donors with a capacity of $250K+. In addition, this individual reports directly to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Development. The success of our mission to strengthen lives for purpose, service, and leadership depends in a large part on strong financial support from donors who enable us to provide the facilities, programs, faculty, and opportunities necessary to provide stellar, mission-driven programs for our students.

Duties

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of approximately 70-100 major gift donors/prospects ($250K+ capacity) with added focus on pipeline development to meet increasingly aggressive annual fundraising goals. Identification of prospects includes prospects for planned gifts and prospective board members.
• Plan and execute 12-18 significant meetings with prospects each month.
• Participate in advancement activities and events, including dinners, receptions, alumni events & campus visits, board meetings, etc., some of which involve evening and weekend work hours and regional and national travel. 
• Work closely with the Vice Chancellor for Prospect Development, Vice Chancellor for Development for Seaver College, Vice Chancellor for Parents and Family Development, and other senior leadership to identify prospects and implement and sustain successful strategies throughout the donor cultivation cycle. 
• Conduct ongoing stewardship activities to further advance the relationship between the University and donors.
• Utilize Pepperdine's advancement database, Raiser's Edge, to research historical records and communications with donors and prospects, and document new actions and proposals. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 
• Uphold University mission through work performed. 

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required:

• A bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of progressively responsible fundraising experience.
• A track record that demonstrates solid success in soliciting and closing major and/or principal gifts.
• Experience closing six-figure (or larger) gifts.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, persuasion, and presentation skills.
• The ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals, including executives, university administrators, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Ability to work collaboratively with fundraising colleagues in central advancement and other schools and programs.
• Ability to effectively communicate the vision, mission, and core values of Pepperdine University and make persuasive verbal and written cases for supporting the University's key priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate the impact of donations and ask for significant gifts, effectively capturing and matching donor interest with specific programs, projects, scholarships, and other funding priorities.
• Curiosity and analytical thinking; global perspective; complex problem solving; ability to organize, prioritize, and complete multiple projects simultaneously with close attention to detail; meet deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills and a high level of accountability to performance metrics.
• Strong interpersonal skills as well as a high level of sophistication and maturity in social and professional settings.
• Extensive knowledge of analytical and metrics reporting with experience using and tracking fundraising metrics and analyzing results.
• The ability to maintain discretion and a high level of confidentiality when dealing with sensitive internal matters and with significant donors and benefactors.
• Demonstrated computer competency with knowledge of Microsoft Office products, telephone, cell phone, scanner, copiers, and other standard office equipment.
• Proven track record in closing major and/or principal gifts.
• Is a self-starter with a strong work ethic, competitive nature, personal integrity, emotional intelligence, and excellent listening and communication skills.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and extraordinary planning and implementation skills.

Preferred:

• MBA or other advanced business degree
• 10 or more years of principal gift fundraising experience, including in an institute of higher education;
• Some experience closing seven-figure gifts and planned gifts;
• Outstanding professional qualities, models collaboration, and has organizational sensitivity to build support, confidence, and consensus from all facets of the Pepperdine community;
• Demonstrated understanding and experience with the underlying principles and techniques associated with planned giving and estate gifts, and the ability to work closely with Planned Giving colleagues at the University.

This is a Regular, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $187,000 - $220,000 per year

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Individuals will be required to disclose any criminal convictions on a designated form after receiving a conditional offer of employment; failure to disclose accurate information may result in withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.