Georgia State University - - Associate Vice President for Principal Gifts

Associate Vice President for Principal Gifts WittKieffer is proud to partner with Georgia State University (GSU), a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, as they seek a dynamic and strategic advancement professional who will serve as the institution’s inaugural Associate Vice President for Principal Gifts (AVP). The AVP will join a large and complex advancement operation for GSU, the most comprehensive higher education institution in the state, offering more than 250 undergraduate and graduate degree programs spread across eleven academic colleges and schools with several thousand employees over six campuses. GSU has over 52,000 students, hailing from every county in Georgia, every state in the U.S., and 170 countries. GSU has an economic impact on the Atlanta economy of $2.92 billion annually. Reporting to and working in close concert with Vice President for Advancement Cheryl Harrelson, President M. Brian Blake, and the Georgia State University Foundation Board of Trustees, this inaugural role will lead efforts to secure principal gifts of $1 million or more, fueling the university’s $600 million comprehensive campaign and advancing its standing as a national leader in student success, research, and innovation. The AVP will design and implement strategies to cultivate and solicit transformational gifts, manage a portfolio of high‑capacity donors, and build enduring relationships through frequent in‑person engagement. Responsibilities Develop customized proposals and steward donors. Collaborate across colleges and departments to align philanthropic priorities with institutional goals. Secure principal gifts of $1 million or more for the comprehensive campaign. Manage a portfolio of high‑capacity donors and foster enduring relationships through frequent in‑person engagement. Travel extensively and participate in campaign events to strengthen donor engagement and expand GSU’s reach. Georgia State is nationally recognized for bold innovation and its commitment to student success, having eliminated achievement gaps and dramatically improved graduation rates. In fiscal year 2025, the university raised $136 million in new gifts and commitments, exceeding expectations and breaking records. The AVP will build on this success, shape a campus‑wide culture of philanthropy, mentor colleagues, and foster partnerships that yield impactful gifts. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree and seven or more years of professional experience. Proven record of securing principal‑level gifts with strategic leadership and exceptional interpersonal skills. Documented success in donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship at major and principal gift levels. Preferred: experience with comprehensive campaigns and work within complex organizations. All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile found at For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by February 27, 2026. Applications, nominations and inquiries can be directed to Greg Duyck and Jevon Walton at View email address on click.appcast.io. Georgia State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, gender, veteran status, or on the basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. #J-18808-Ljbffr Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU)