Principal Gifts Officer

At CSUN we aspire to continually grow as an inclusive, cooperative community!


CSUN strives to be a destination workplace, where everyone understands that they belong to a community that is vital in advancing student success and providing exemplary service to all stakeholders. We foster an environment of success, both for our students and our employees. We have a relentless passion for celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as being an employer of choice. You will also have the opportunity to realize your own personal goals and be recognized for the work you do and enjoy the unique value the CSUN community can offer. As a leader you will have the opportunity to thrive in a community in which our leaders share common traits as identified in our Leadership Principles . If this sounds like you, you've come to the right place.

Responsibilities


Under general supervision, the Principal Gifts Officer identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards principal gift prospects to support campaign priorities, collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, and contributes to strategic fundraising initiatives that strengthen donor engagement and long-term institutional advancement.

• Leads the growth and development of a robust pipeline of principal gifts, ensuring alignment of the annual DNCBE campaign goals.
• Builds and maintains a robust portfolio of high-level donors and prospects, capable of $1M+ gift commitments, and demonstrates frontline fundraising success through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Collaborates with donors' financial, tax, and estate advisors and senior leadership in CSUN Advancement to develop and present tailored principal gift cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Builds upon existing commitments and expands the current donor base of support.

• As a leader, demonstrates a commitment to student success that is mission aligned with the university's vision, values and priorities. Establishes an ethical and collegial work environment, promoting a collaborative, accountable and inclusive team. Encourages a courageous and resilient solution-oriented environment by participating in new opportunities to further the mission of the university. Participates in developing initiatives that further support the campus mission with a service-oriented and catalytic mind set. Strengthens employees by being communicative and a talent builder that develops team attributes, furthering departmental goals.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

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Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Experience with university-level campaign principal gifts is preferred.
• Seven years of development/fundraising experience working with i major gift and principal gift donors.
• Experience in an academic setting is strongly preferred, as is working in a campaign environment.
• Strong preference for experience with Blackbaud Raiser's Edge.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Leadership

• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
• Expert skills in making persuasive and compelling presentations in order to secure principal gifts.
• Proven experience in the full spectrum of development, including cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Demonstrated organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Expert project/program management skills, including skills in setting and meeting program/project goals and objectives within budget and time constraints.
• Experience and success with the design of strategies for cultivation and solicitation of prospective donors.
• Strong sense of ethical conduct that will inspire confidence and motivation with a proven ability to persuade prospective donors and colleagues while maintaining confidentiality in all matters as they relate to sensitive donor relations.
• Expert ability to serve both the needs of the university while meeting the philanthropic goals of donors.

• Lead diverse teams to support the operational mission and vision of employers by fostering an ethical, inclusive and collegial work environment.

• Demonstrated ability to support ongoing improvement through courageous, resilient, and catalytic leadership.
• Lead varying initiatives through a collaborative, service-oriented and communicative approach.
• Demonstrated commitment to employee development, recognition, and accountability to further operational goals.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

• Salary is commensurate with knowledge, skills, and experience. The University offers excellent fringe benefits.
• The anticipated HIRING RANGE: $135,000 - $150,000 per year, dependent upon qualifications and experience.
• The position is currently hybrid (2 days in office, 3 days remote); however, this is subject to change based on student and/or operational needs.

General Information

• This position is a sensitive position as designated by the CSU.
• A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
• The person holding this position may be considered a 'limited reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
• In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California.
• Please note: California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is not currently sponsoring staff or management positions for H-1B employment visas. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.
• Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
• Candidates should apply by completing the CSUN on-line application. To submit an application and for more detailed information on the application and hiring process, please visit this link:
• This job opening has been re-posted and will remain OPEN UNTIL FILLED.
• The CSU recommends that faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities at any university location be immunized against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus.

Equal Employment Opportunity


CSUN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Disability (physical or mental), Gender, Gender Identity (including Nonbinary or Transgender), Gender Expression, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Nationality, Pregnancy or related conditions, Race or Ethnicity (including color, caste, or ancestry), Religion or Religious Creed, Sex (including Sex Stereotyping or Sex Characteristics), Sexual Orientation, and Veteran or Military Status. Our nondiscrimination policy is set forth in the Interim CSU Nondiscrimination Policy. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Talent Acquisition at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

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Advertised: Aug 12 2026 Pacific Daylight Time

Applications close: