Associate Director, Principal Gifts Research (Washington)

Associate Director, Principal Gifts Research

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I. JOB OVERVIEW

Job Description Summary:

The George Washington University Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) Division is seeking an Associate Director, Principal Gifts Research as part of the Research and Relationship Management team (RRM). DAR is responsible for leading the university’s alumni and fundraising efforts and seeks to promote a culture of philanthropy throughout the university community, including alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, corporations and foundations, patients and other friends. Our goal is to advance GW's mission of excellence in education, research, scholarship, and patient care.

Within the umbrella of campaign readiness and as a member of the Leadership Research team, the Associate Director serves as a subject matter expert in principal gift ($1M+) research, proactively asking creative questions and seeking creative solutions. This position requires an individual with exemplary research, project management, and strategy building skills; a deep understanding of donor motivations at the highest capacity levels; and a demeanor that thrives in fast-paced, highly flexible, and highly visible work environments.

The Associate Director produces and ensures the highest quality prospect intelligence for clients; connecting through lines, including between constituent interests and university priorities, and recommending cultivation/solicitation strategies, including for top university volunteer leadership groups; identifying and negotiating priorities; and anticipating client needs. In partnership with the Associate Vice President, Principal and Legacy Giving and other RRM team members, the incumbent plays a key role in ensuring an adequate $1M+ prospect and lead pool.

While the position focuses on $1M+ constituents, the incumbent is an active leader with the RRM team, which may include contributions to the creation or streamlining of office procedures, providing input on CRM conversion topics, vendor identification and assessment, etc. The Associate Director fosters enthusiasm among the RRM team and clients as well as advocates for RRM.

Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, have you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 2 years of relevant professional experience, or a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Mastery of prospect research and prospect identification techniques, tools, and data analysis. Expert familiarity with affluence markers such as securities, real estate, private company valuation, venture capital, and investment income, as well as understanding wealth across professions, family, and hidden assets. Deep understanding of top donor motivations and how to recommend different approaches based on motivations preferred.
• Robust project management, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills; demonstrated ability to work in a demanding, dynamic environment. Skill in developing plans with clear vision, goals, strategies, and tactics. Proficiency in prioritizing work, including negotiating, and managing multiple, diverse, competing priorities while meeting deadlines. Demonstrates accountability for outcomes. Due to the nature of the work, willingness to respond to last-minute requests in stride is important.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including diplomacy required to function effectively among senior leadership, gift officers, and others to bring projects, requests, and recommendations to conclusion. Demonstrated ability in developing strategic partnerships with all levels of staff to influence results. Ability to convey information, particularly on constituent influence and affluence, to different audiences in a clear and concise manner.
• Mastery of the development cycle, with advanced knowledge of the role of prospect development within the cycle. Proficiency in Apra’s Body of Knowledge Prospect Research domain with a general understanding of Leadership, Relationship Management, and Data Science domains. Demonstrated record of professional involvement in industry organizations is preferred.
• Proficient computer skills. Experience working with Microsoft Office and Google suite of products. Demonstrated skill in deciding which technology will communicate messages/findings most effectively preferred.
• Ability to deal with highly sensitive information, maintain confidentiality, and exercise a high degree of judgment and discretion. Ability to apply themes from legal parameters and ethics statements by Apra, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and other related associations is desired.

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit .

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department: Development & Alumni Relations

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Hours Per Week: 40

Work Schedule: Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes

Employee Onsite Status: Hybrid

Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search.

EEO Statement: The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.