Head of Principal Gifts

**Job Description**:
**Waipapa Taumata Rau** **| The University of Auckland**

The University of Auckland occupies a unique position in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific. It is New Zealand’s largest university with over 40,000 students and an international centre of learning and academic excellence. The University of Auckland is the largest research entity in the country generating 22% of our $1.3bn revenue through externally funded research and contracts.

The University’s award-winning Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) office forms the centralised point of contact for philanthropic partners and for alumni and friends.

**Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity**

To continue driving our ambitious and successful fundraising initiatives, the University’s Alumni Relations and Development Office has created a new role for a Head of Principal Gifts**. **We are recruiting for this role now with a mind to implement a major campaign over the next couple of years.

This is a **full-time permanent position**, working **37.5 hours** a week.

This is a senior role within Advancement. Reporting to the Director of Alumni Relations and Development, you will play an important leadership role attracting philanthropic revenue streams to the University’s fundraising priorities.

In addition to crafting the Principal Gifts strategy, you will be responsible for the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of some the University’s most significant donors and prospective donors, primarily those capable of making principal gifts of over $6 Million, to maximise the philanthropic income for essential research and initiatives.

As our Head of Principal Gifts, you’ll have a high degree of delegated responsibility and independent authority, while regularly reporting to the Director and collaborating closely with the other senior managers within the ARD Office.

**Your key accountabilities will include**:

- Developing a highly effective principal gifts strategy for the University.
- Maintaining a high level programme of stewardship and donor relations with principal gift donors.
- Manage your own portfolio of 30-50 prospective donors, with a focus on those capable of gifts of $6,000,000 and above.
- Act as a senior fundraiser for The University of Auckland by partnering with the Director of Alumni Relations and Development in negotiating, implementing, and delivering a university-wide advancement strategy to maximise giving and meaningful engagement for agreed priorities.
- Ensure principal gift donors are recipients of a highly effective programme of acknowledgement, recognition, reporting and engagement.
- Line manage a small and dedicated team of support staff to ensure that targets are met and strategic plans progressed.
- Connect widely and effectively with leaders and high-profile members of the University to act as advocates to further enhance our relationships with donors.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description.

**Mō tō mātou rōpū | About the team**

Our team includes Development and Alumni Relations personnel and staff to support them and external foundations by providing a range of activities and communications to build lasting mutually beneficial relationships.

These relationships contribute expertise, advocacy and philanthropic funds that help the University of Auckland to play its part in the developing knowledge and people for the good of Auckland, New Zealand and the global community.

**He kōrero mōu | About you**

With a proven high level principal gifts track record, you will be able to inspire and motivate your team, and other key stakeholders to reach our goals and secure impactful results. This role requires demonstrated experience in client-centric programmes, with additional experience, specifically in fundraising in higher education, non-profit or other appropriate environments.

You will need to demonstrate proven relationship management strengths, with clear evidence of your ability to build successful partnerships and drive strategic direction and effective customer service cultures.

This is a senior level role focused on the operational delivery of set goals, which is connected to but less involved with the usual senior leadership responsibilities associated with positions of this level. A High-level of communication ability is essential as your verbal, written and interpersonal skills will be integral to your success.

**E rapua ana mātou | We are seeking**
- Extensive leadership experience in client centric programmes, with additional experience, specifically in fundraising in higher education, non profit or corporate environments.
- Specific experience of securing principal gifts.
- A proven track record in delivering exceptional results, and of relationship building with the maturity, perspective, and credibility necessary to influence and connect with internal and external stakeholders.
- You will be able to provide examples of budget