THE OPPORTUNITY 

• Are you energized by cultivating transformational philanthropic relationships with high-net-worth individuals and families?
• Do you thrive in sophisticated fundraising environments where strategy, influence, and relationship management drive long-term institutional impact?
• Are you excited by the opportunity to build and shape a newly created principal gifts program at a growing and evolving university?
• Are you motivated by the opportunity to play a leading role in a major, comprehensive fundraising campaign?

ABOUT THE COMPANY

As a public comprehensive university located just 7 miles from downtown Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky University (NKU) delivers innovative, student-centered education and engages in impactful scholarly and creative endeavors, that empower graduates to find their people, their path and their purpose. NKU prepares students for fulfilling careers and meaningful lives, while contributing to the economic, civic, and social vitality of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region. About 15,000 students are enrolled.

Founded to advance Northern Kentucky University’s mission and student success initiatives, the NKU Foundation serves as a key philanthropic and strategic partner to the university. The Foundation supports fundraising, advocacy, innovation, and real estate initiatives that strengthen NKU’s long-term impact and regional relevance.

NKU Advancement strives to advance the fundraising and engagement efforts that support student success and the university. The division seeks to strengthen relationships between significant donors and the university through engagement strategies that acknowledge and communicate the impact of donor contributions while encouraging lifelong philanthropic support.

As philanthropy continues to evolve—with fewer donors making increasingly larger and more transformational gifts—NKU is making a strategic investment in principal gifts fundraising to deepen engagement with its highest-capacity prospects and position the university for significant long-term philanthropic growth. 

NKU is entering the leadership phase of a major, comprehensive multi-year campaign. With engaged institutional leadership, strong presidential support for philanthropy, and continued investment in Advancement infrastructure, the university is positioned for significant fundraising growth and transformational donor engagement opportunities.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

The Principal Gifts Officer reports to the Assistant Vice President of Development and will serve as the university’s lead fundraiser focused on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding transformational philanthropic investments from NKU’s highest-capacity donors and prospects. This is a newly created role designed to elevate the university’s principal gifts strategy and expand engagement with individuals capable of making leadership-level commitments of $500k+ and transformational gifts of $2M or more.

The Principal Gifts Officer will manage a highly curated portfolio of approximately 40-45 principal gift prospects and will work collaboratively across campus to align donor passions with the university’s most strategic priorities and opportunities. This individual will partner closely with university leadership, deans, faculty, and Advancement colleagues to drive sophisticated donor strategies and deepen institutional relationships.

Because this portfolio spans all colleges and units across campus, the successful candidate must possess the emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and collaborative instincts necessary to navigate complex internal relationships while building trust across academic and Advancement stakeholders.

The Principal Gifts Officer will:

• Build and manage a portfolio of approximately 40-45 high-capacity principal gift prospects and donors
• Develop and execute sophisticated cultivation and solicitation strategies resulting in transformational philanthropic commitments
• Secure leadership and principal gifts with long-term fundraising goals of $3-$5M annually
• Partner closely with senior university leadership and academic stakeholders to identify and articulate institutional priorities and funding opportunities
• Serve as a collaborative fundraising leader across campus, helping to advance a culture of philanthropy and strategic donor engagement
• Expand and refine the university’s principal gifts pipeline by identifying and cultivating untapped high-capacity prospects
• Work across all university colleges and units to strategically coordinate donor relationships and philanthropic opportunities while fostering strong internal partnerships and trust
• Work collaboratively with Advancement leadership and colleagues to ensure coordinated donor strategy, stewardship, and engagement efforts
• Help translate donor interests into meaningful institutional opportunities by working closely with university leadership and academic partners to shape compelling philanthropic proposals
• Maintain accurate and strategic management of donor activity, pipeline development, and fundraising progress with university systems
• Help shape and evolve the university’s long-term principal gifts strategy and infrastructure as the program continues to mature

IDEAL CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 7-10+ years of progressive major and/or principal gifts fundraising experience required
• Demonstrated track record of securing six- and seven-figure philanthropic commitments required
• Experience working with high-net worth individuals, families, and sophisticated donor strategies required
• Higher education fundraising experience strongly preferred
• Experience navigating complex organizations and engaging senior institutional leadership preferred
• Experience managing highly nuanced internal stakeholder relationships and decentralized environments preferred
• Ability to think strategically across multiple institutional priorities, constituencies, and funding opportunities preferred
• Broad understanding of advancement functions and campaign strategy preferred

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

The successful candidate will bring a thoughtful, patient, and highly relational approach to fundraising, recognizing that principal gifts require long-term cultivation, trust, and strategic alignment. They will also demonstrate intellectual curiosity, learning agility, and the ability to quickly grasp complex institutional priorities and translate them into compelling philanthropic opportunities. Other key competencies include:

• Executive presence and influence
• Strategic relationship management
• Sophisticated communication and listening
• Collaboration and partnership orientation
• Patience, persistence, and resilience
• Emotional intelligence and diplomacy
• Strong organizational and portfolio management skills
• Initiative and self-direction
• Integrity and accountability
• Strategic thinking and judgement
• Political savvy and sound judgement in navigating competing stakeholder interests
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguity and influence without direct authority
• Confidence, maturity, and professionalism in engaging senior leaders, donors, and academic stakeholders

THE PAYOFF

The Principal Gifts Officer will have the unique opportunity to build and shape a newly established principal gifts function at a university with significant untapped philanthropic potential. This individual will partner closely with senior Advancement leadership and university stakeholders to cultivate transformational donor relationships and drive long-term philanthropic growth for NKU.

The successful candidate will inherit and expand an existing portfolio of high-capacity prospects while helping the university adapt to the evolving philanthropic landscape where transformational gifts increasingly shape institutional impact. This role offers visibility, influence, and the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy on the future of NKU. 

This role also offers the opportunity to help shape institutional fundraising strategy during a pivotal moment in NKU’s history as the university prepares for its next comprehensive campaign. With strong leadership support, collaborative colleagues, and significant untapped donor potential, the Principal Gifts Officer will play a central role in NKU’s future philanthropic success.

OUR COMMITMENT TO CANDIDATES

Gilman Partners is committed to strengthening leadership teams and elevating talent in our communities—and that means all qualified applicants will receive consideration. You do not have to meet every qualification in this job description to apply. If you’re drawn to the position and believe your experience makes you a good fit, we encourage you to apply.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Northern Kentucky University offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package including flexible hybrid work arrangements (2 days remote / 3 days in-office), tuition remission opportunities, strong retirement benefit options, medical coverage, paid time off, and university holidays.

This role is supported by centralized prospect research, donor relations, events, operations, and marketing resources.