Managing Director, Principal Gifts & External Engagement, Principal Gifts, Advancement

Pipeline Building and Fundraising

• Prospect Identification & Qualification (15%)
  • Leverage personal network as well as partner with prospect research to build and manage an active portfolio of 60–80 prospective principal gift donors (mix of mid-to high-capacity prospects), tailored toward campaign lead gift potential. Prospects might include individuals, parents, friends of BU and Foundations.
  • Leverage university networks, volunteers, alumni leaders, faculty, and senior leadership to build a robust network of prospects.
  • Create a strategy to continuously replenish and grow the pipeline of prospective lead gift donors for larger campaign initiatives by regularly qualifying new prospects through research, referrals, and engagement activities.
  • Where appropriate, transition management of foundations and individuals (including major gift and international prospects etc) to advancement colleagues.
• Cultivation, Solicitation & Stewardship (50%)
  • In partnership with advancement leadership, develop innovative and compelling cultivation strategies to deepen donor engagement with institutional priorities, using visits, events, stewardship activities, and volunteer involvement.
  • Lead the preparation of inspiring and compelling proposals for high-stakes solicitations and secure major gifts (lead gifts, seven-figure+ or institutionally defined campaign-level gifts) in alignment with institutional priorities.
  • Cook with senior leadership and volunteer solicitors to close transformational gifts when appropriate.
  • Work with gift planning, legal, financial, and program staff to structure major gifts, naming opportunities, and complex vehicles and coordinate with the stewardship team to develop bespoke stewardship opportunities to recognize these gifts.
• Collaboration, Metrics & Reporting (10%)
  • Develop strategies for collaboration with advancement colleagues including Foundation Relations, Major Gifts, Parent and Family Advancement, International Advancement, Schools and Centers teams among others to keep engage them from strategy development and implementation to stewardship.
  • Maintain accurate prospect and activity records in the CRM and ensure open channels of communication with advancement colleagues.
  • Meet and report on performance metrics including pipeline value, solicitations completed, gifts closed, and stewardship outcomes.

Alumni Activation

• Work collaboratively with ARCE to deepen engagement with New England alumni as ambassadors, connectors, in-kind contributors, and potential philanthropic leaders.
• Host high-visibility convenings in collaboration with ARCE (salons, executive roundtables, thought-leadership events) that elevate BU’s regional/global reputation and catalyze giving.

External Engagement

• Regional Strategy & Representation
  • Serve as BU’s senior in-region ambassador to industry local government stakeholders and thought leaders.
  • In collaboration with School and Centers advancement teams, serve as regional coordinator and connector for BU faculty and cross-functional administrators; develop strategic engagement opportunities for BU faculty to increase visibility and thought leadership.
  • Connect visiting faculty and leaders with relevant industry partners, alumni, and other stakeholders.
  • Provide light-touch logistical and relationship support to faculty through partnership intelligence, cultivated introductions, support for high-priority meetings, and coordination with campus-based teams on logistics.
  • Identify high-impact partnership opportunities in technology, AI, biotech, media, venture capital, and creative industries.
• Industry & Innovation Partnerships
  • Develop strategic relationships with leading firms (e.g., technology, AI, media, life sciences) to advance:
  • Faculty research collaborations.
  • Sponsored research and industry-funded initiatives.
  • Executive education and workforce development programs.
  • Student internships and career pipelines.
• Career Development & Student Recruitment
  • Facilitate relationships that will lead to expanded high-quality internship, experiential learning, practicum education, and career pathways in high-growth sectors.
  • Leverage location connections to help position BU as a preferred talent partner to key partners in the New England ecosystem, preferably coupled with other facets of partnership (e.g., sponsored projects, gifts).
  • Support strategic recruitment initiatives for undergraduate and graduate programs in collaboration with Enrollment teams.

Required Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience: 8–10+ years of progressively responsible fundraising experience with a consistent track record of soliciting and closing major gifts (including multi-million-dollar/lead gifts preferred).
• Demonstrated success building and managing a portfolio and pipeline that led to campaign-level commitments.
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to cultivate relationships with high-net-worth individuals, volunteers, and institutional leaders.
• Excellent written and oral communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to travel frequently for prospect visits and events; flexible work hours based on donor engagement needs.
• Proficiency with fundraising CRMs and ability to use data to inform strategy.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in higher education or large nonprofits running comprehensive campaigns.
• Familiarity with gift vehicles such as endowments, pledges, charitable trusts, and complex naming opportunities.
• Track record of working with volunteer leaders and integrating senior leadership into solicitation strategies.
• Network in relevant donor communities or regions valuable to the institution.

Values

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement, both as individuals and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

Contact Information

To apply and learn more about Advancement at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the Advancement Talent website: https://www.bu.edu/advancement-talent/.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.