As an integral member of the Medical Advancement Strategic Engagement team, the Director of Engagement, Principal Gifts will work closely with senior leadership to establish and execute donor centric strategies and initiatives to advance the relationship our highest-level donors and prospects have with the School of Medicine or Siteman Cancer Center. This position will focus on sophisticated strategy development for cultivating, soliciting, stewarding and recognizing high-level donors and prospects who have the capacity to make transformative gifts as well as support front-line fundraisers and department chairs and mange programs and communication to donors within their portfolio. A successful candidate should lead by example with strategic engagement, collaboration, creativity, and project management.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• In coordination with the Strategic Engagement team, works with senior leadership, faculty and departments to set the overall strategy for donor relations and stewardship for Medical Advancement to deepen relationships with top-tier donors and prospects through the execution of highly tailored, individualized and innovative events, campus visits and recognition strategies to deepen the relationship with top-tier donors and prospects.  
• Works in conjunction with the Strategic Engagement team’s Director of Engagement for Operations, proactively initiate the development of sophisticated and highly tailored donor impact plans to highlight the donor’s impact. 
• Plans highly tailored events or meetings to strength the donor’s relationship with the School of Medicine or Siteman Cancer Center. 
• Writes gift proposals and agreements.
• Undertakes other projects and duties as assigned by the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for Medical Advancement.  
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or terminal degree.
• Experience including progressive responsibility in stewardship, donor and/or client relations and management.
• Experience within a complex university, academic research medical center, national non-profit organization, or organization with sub-units and complex reporting relationships.
• Previous success in fundraising (Annual Giving and/or Major Gifts).
• Highly successful and experienced professional, skilled at providing an exceptional donor and/or client experience, ideally within institutional advancement and/or medicine.  
• Ability to understand and articulate how donor relations supports and advances the broader fundraising agenda.
• Ability to supervise and direct professional and administrative staff members.
• Skill to oversee the planning and execution of events.
• Ability to articulate the needs, interests, and accomplishments of the School of Medicine to a wide range of audiences.
• A keen sense of accountability, sound judgement, and ethical professionalism in a deadline-driven, high-performing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage workflows and multiple projects effectively, including developing timelines, setting priorities, and coordinating multiple tasks while meeting deadlines.
• Track record as a creative and innovative thinker, as well as a resourceful problem solver.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct advancement programs requiring a high degree of coordination and cooperation with other staff.
• Outstanding ability to plan, coordinate and manage development projects and campaigns.
• Demonstrated expertise with personal solicitations, stewardship and gift processes.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse constituents (board members, chancellor, vice chancellors, deans, school or unit directors, etc.).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational abilities with commitment to meet deadlines.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of related experience.