Working Title: Principal Philanthropic Advisor

State Role Title: Administrative and Professional Faculty

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Principal Relationships

Department: 100650 - Principal Giving

Pay Band: N/A

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:  

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 07/19/2026

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

James Madison University (JMU) seeks a successful professional to join the Principal Giving team as a Principal Philanthropic Advisor.

JMU’s star continues to rise. President Jim Schmidt and university leadership have developed a bold vision for JMU outlined in the Madison Promise Plan. Following the successful Unleashed campaign, which exceeded the stretch goal by 25 percent, we are advancing a next, more ambitious campaign based on the Madison Promise Plan. The Principal Giving team plays a critical role in significantly advancing each of JMU’s strategic priorities and designing financially-significant, transformative opportunities for individuals and families to impact the world through JMU.

The Principal Philanthropic Advisor will have a key role in building relationships and securing principal-level gifts for JMU. The successful candidate will have the knowledge and tools to open and close conversations involving outright, deferred, and blended gifts of $1M+. A natural affinity for collaboration with university colleagues and donors to navigate complex conversations is also a key attribute.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Principal Philanthropic Advisor reports to the Assistant Vice President for Principal Giving in University Advancement.

This role has three defining dimensions:

1. Management of prospect relationships with consistent focus and high-touch engagement, cultivation and stewardship that leads to successful solicitations.

• Manage and continue to build a portfolio of 50-75 relationships with consistent focus and high-touch engagement, cultivation, and stewardship that lead to successful solicitations.
• Proactively engage new high-net-worth donors and, where appropriate, leverage donor peer networks and university leadership to enable successful solicitations.
• Meet activity and impact metrics developed in collaboration with the AVP for Principal Giving.
• Thoroughly document donor interactions.
• Understand JMU’s priorities and then develop, implement, and refine customized strategies to advance each prospect’s meaningful connection to those priorities, leading to principal-level philanthropic investment.

2. The ability to shape and communicate, orally and in writing, compelling ideas that will attract transformational gifts based on institutional initiatives and presidential priorities.

• Develop proposals well-informed by strategic plan and university stakeholders that lead to principal-level philanthropic investment.
• Close gifts of $1M+ with a donor-centric approach that meets the needs and priorities of JMU.
• Close gifts at other levels when appropriate with high net-worth individuals and families who have future potential for principal-level philanthropy.
• Communicate clearly and with attention to detail.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the nuances of principal giving as a unique type of fundraising and be goal-oriented while balancing the timing and interests of both the donor and JMU.

3. The ability to represent the Principal Giving team in partnering with colleagues across University Advancement, Athletics, and academic units to coordinate cultivation and solicitation of prospects with multiple interests and relationships with JMU.

• Collaborate with colleagues at all levels, both within and outside of University Advancement, driven by the strategies developed for each donor or prospect.
• Effectively manage up in a clear and timely manner with the AVP and other stakeholders.

There may also be other duties as assigned in carrying out the mission of Principal Giving.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of five years of experience in fundraising or a field with transferable skills.
• Outstanding communication skills, including listening, writing, and speaking, to build trust with both external and internal constituents.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, including sincerity, excellent judgment, diplomacy, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated integrity in managing complex relationships and confidential information.
• Proven ability to build and maintain long term stakeholder, client, or partner relationships.
• Strong skill in uncovering connections, networks, and interests while maintaining the highest levels of confidentiality.
• Ability to assess risk and a willingness to take calculated risks.
• Proven ability to drive performance and execute for results.
• Proven ability to collaborate with colleagues for shared wins.
• Ability to work both independently and in close coordination with a team, with high levels of communication.
• Ability to relate to a variety of people and build bridges of common understanding in each relationship.
• Ability to navigate the complexity of a large institution.
• Ability and willingness to travel as necessary and work flexible hours, including some evenings and during weekends, to meet with donors/prospects and execute strategic moves.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or professional credential.
• Familiarity with using metrics and analytics to segment, cultivate and grow a pool of relevant prospects.

Additional Posting Information:

JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.