Director of Principal Gift Engagement and Stewardship

Position Summary

The Director of Principal Gift Engagement and Stewardship is a strategic leader within the Office of Advancement, responsible for shaping and advancing the College’s most significant philanthropic relationships. As the College enters its largest and most ambitious capital campaign, this role will partner with gift officers to drive execution and follow-up for engagement, solicitation, and stewardship activities of a select portfolio of principal gift prospects (typically $2.5M+).

The role operates at the highest levels of the institution—partnering with leadership, engaging exceptional donors, and helping to secure the transformational philanthropy that will define the College’s future. The successful candidate will provide a rare opportunity to help shape and deliver principal gift strategy at a defining moment for the College.

Responsibilities

• Principal Gift Strategy & Pipeline Leadership

  • In partnership with gift officers, design tactics that operationalize strategy for up to 100 top prospects, inspiring engagement with and enthusiasm for campaign priorities.
  • Identify and present opportunities to bring to life the impact a donor has had related to college priorities.
  • Identify and address pipeline gaps to advance prospects toward solicitation and closure.

• Executive Engagement & Strategic Support

  • Prepare high-level briefing materials with a focus on strategic recommendations for the President and senior staff.
  • Oversee Presidential gift acknowledgements, ensuring personalized, thoughtful, and timely communications.
  • Manage strategy for Presidential and senior staff travel, prioritizing high-impact donor engagement.

• Bespoke Stewardship & Donor Experience Design

  • Conceptualize and lead small-group and individual cultivation experiences—on and off campus—featuring the President, faculty, trustees, students and alumni.
  • Partner across Advancement and supervise one staff member to deliver seamless, high-touch engagement.
  • Provide responsive, discreet, and professional service to the College’s most significant donors.

• Collaboration & Operational Excellence

  • Work collaboratively across Advancement, and with campus partners, to ensure coordinated donor engagement.
  • Strengthen processes and best practices related to principal gift strategy, stewardship, and campaign execution.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 8+ years of experience in advancement, with a focus on principal or major gifts strategy and stewardship.
• Demonstrated success supporting or advancing gifts at the $1M+ level.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and preparing high-level briefings and communications.

Preferred Experience:

• In a comprehensive capital campaign.
• Background in a liberal arts college or similarly relationship-driven institution.
• Experience designing bespoke donor experiences and managing complex, cross-functional initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Exceptional writing and communication skills.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking ability.
• Project management skills.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to operate effectively in a highly relational, mission-driven environment.

Compensation Range

$100,000 - $120,000

EEO Policy

Hamilton College is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and an educational experience that recognizes a wide array of experiences, backgrounds and viewpoints as integral components of academic excellence. Candidates who can contribute to those goals are encouraged to apply and identify their strengths in these areas.