Associate Vice-Principal (Principal Gifts)

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Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice-Principal (Advancement) (VPA), the Associate Vice-Principal (Principal Gifts) provides strategic and institutional leadership for the Principal Gifts fundraising enterprise at Queen’s University, with responsibility for growing philanthropic revenue and advancing a coordinated, campaign-oriented approach to transformational giving. Working closely with Advancement colleagues, senior academic and administrative leaders, volunteers, and donors, the AVP sets direction, aligns strategy, and serves as a lead fundraiser for principal gift prospects and donors who have the capacity to support at a principal gifts ($5M+) level, securing support for the university’s highest priorities while partnering closely with the VPA to advance campaign and institutional objectives.

The AVP leads the principal gifts team while fostering an institution-wide fundraising model that engages the Principal, Vice-Principals, Deans, department heads, and other senior leaders in advancing the university’s strategic and philanthropic priorities. As a member of the Advancement senior leadership team, the AVP contributes to the long-term planning and strategic direction of both Advancement and the university, ensuring principal gift fundraising is aligned with institutional goals and integrated across faculties and university-wide services.
The AVP provides strategic oversight of principal gift activity across the university, regardless of portfolio assignment or reporting structure, ensuring consistency, accountability, and excellence in principal gift strategies and solicitations. In close partnership with the Executive Director, Principal Gifts, and the Associate Vice-Principal (Development), the AVP oversees the principal gift pipeline, strengthens coordination across fundraising programs, and supports a seamless donor experience.

An accomplished people leader, strategist, and fundraiser, the AVP fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The incumbent leads through change, sets clear expectations, and develops the people, processes, and performance measures needed to achieve fundraising success.

This position requires travel within and outside of Canada to meet with donors, alumni and volunteers, representing the university and the Office of Advancement to internal and external audiences.

This position may be eligible for a remote work arrangement within the Province of Ontario.

Job Description

Overall Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership
• Directs and aligns efforts with the VPA, AVP (Development), AVP (Campaign) and other senior advancement leaders to develop and execute strategies that maximize principal gift fundraising results.
• Acts as a lead strategist and advisor to the VPA, Deans, Departmental Directors and top university volunteers, providing high-level expertise and leadership to ensure the impactful engagement in principal giving. Represents the university’s priorities in the context of an overall vision for Queen’s and its’ place in the world.
• Leads efforts and is the lead fundraiser alongside the VP (Advancement), to secure principal gift level financial support from individuals, corporations and foundations.
• Acts as a key strategic partner to the VPA, sharing accountability for advancing principal gifts outcomes and campaign priorities.
• Oversees principal giving ($5M+) activity and efforts across the Office of Advancement including work within faculty and central development, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, prospect development, and donor experience programs to ensure effective program delivery for principal gift donors and prospects.
• Leads and advances a campaign-oriented approach to principal gifts fundraising, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, timelines, and milestones.
• Works in close partnership with the Executive Director, Principal Gifts to actively manage the principal gifts portfolio, including strategy development, pipeline movement, and execution discipline.
• Exercises influence across a matrixed environment without direct authority, driving alignment, consistency, and accountability across distributed fundraising teams.
• Leads efforts to further professionalize principal gifts operations, including strengthening portfolio management, forecasting, proposal strategy, and performance tracking practices.
• Identifies and advances opportunities to innovate and elevate the principal gifts program, building on an established foundation to drive the next phase of growth and impact.
• Works closely with Development Leaders and Deans/Departmental Heads to establish strategies for increasing principal gift revenue.
• Provides strategic oversight on the principal gift fundraising pipeline, ensuring regular reviews and accountability for pipeline movement, trends, and barriers.
• Continuously measures and analyzes metrics, pipeline, portfolio, and performance data, advancing innovative solutions and benchmarking strategies to enhance principal gift fundraising effectiveness.
• Identifies fundraising barriers and works with leaders to effect change that will enhance operations.
• Serves as a trusted advisor, strategist, and liaison to principal gift donors, senior university officials, volunteers, and others to coordinate strategies and secure principal gift commitments.
• Fosters a non-territorial, relationship-centric approach to philanthropy that encourages collaboration, flexibility, and responsiveness.
• Stays abreast of philanthropic developments, giving vehicles, and relevant legislation to maximize revenue.
• Oversees the production of tailored principal gift proposals and case statements.
• Ensures principal gifts are handled and recognized according to sound Advancement practices.
• Develops and maintains an in-depth knowledge of faculty/university activities, priorities and needs in both teaching and research.

Donor Engagement
• Serves as a highly visible, front-facing leader for principal gifts, building credibility and momentum with top donors, volunteers, and institutional leaders.
• Manages a discreet prospect list of $5M+ donors.
• Builds effective relationships with a diverse and broad range of influential and deeply engaged donors and volunteers who assist the university’s mission and priorities with a goal of securing support.
• Leverages Queen’s exceptional and highly engaged alumni community to identify, cultivate, and advance principal gift opportunities.
• Acts as an ambassador for Queen’s University and the Office of Advancement to internal and external audiences.

Team Leadership & People Management
• Develops an outstanding high-performing team with commitment to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Cultivates and strengthens senior fundraising leadership across the institution, building depth of talent and capability while driving an uplift in philanthropic performance.
• Coaches, encourages and supports team members in achieving their goals and full potential.
• Champions the adoption of consistent tools, metrics, and best practices across teams to enhance effectiveness and scalability of operations.
• Models expected values and behaviours, demonstrating professional excellence and stewardship.
• Provides budget and staffing leadership for the Principal Gifts Unit, including overseeing the unit’s budget, and development and implementation of strategic and annual budget submissions.
• Regularly reviews effectiveness to identify the need for staff resources, participates in staffing committees, and makes decisions regarding employee selection.
• Manages individual and team performance by establishing performance standards; reviewing, monitoring and evaluating performance; and conducting formal talent and performance reviews.
• Supports the planning, prioritization, and management of work performed by direct reports, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance and coaching.
• Assesses staff training and development needs, ensuring employees receive the necessary training to improve and sustain successful performance.
• Analyzes trends across teams and portfolios, tracking performance over time, and advancing recommendations around coaching and training opportunities.
• Investigates, addresses, and resolves employee/labour relations issues, including making decisions regarding disciplinary and discharge matters.
• Ensures adequate levels of central support to implement the strategies of Principal Gifts.

Required Experience and Qualifications:
• Proven people leadership and human resources management experience including organizing, motivating and directing a team of staff and volunteers to achieve objectives, carrying out diverse activities, and promoting inclusion and belonging in the workplace.
• Established track-record in principal gift strategy development and implementation; project planning; budget, forecasting and financial management; program analysis; and meeting objectives.
• Extensive leadership experience in successfully developing and overseeing institution-wide principal gift fundraising and engagement programs, with accountability for program performance, growth, and continuous innovation.
• Demonstrated success in managing a portfolio of principal gift prospects with a view towards satisfying the priorities identified by the institution.
• Knowledge of wealth transfer strategies, integrated gift strategies, and other non-traditional gift plans.
• Significant experience working as part of a large and complex campaign leadership team.
• Clear understanding of and strict adherence to ethical fundraising standards.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively build and manage volunteer relationships that enhance and advance the interests of the university.
• Comprehensive understanding of the administrative and governance structures of complex organizations with multiple constituents.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher required; consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Recognized or working towards the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) or equivalent accreditation preferred.
• A satisfactory Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check is required. Candidates residing outside Canada must provide an official police clearance or background check from their country of residence or any relevant jurisdiction, where reasonably available.
• A valid G-Class driver’s license (or equivalent) and passport with no travel restrictions is required.

Critical Skills and Behaviours:
• Inclusive, collaborative and inspiring leadership style.
• Adaptable change agent capable of translating strategic priorities into tactical activities.
• Caring mentor who leads by example, demonstrating a calm and measured approach.
• Deep understanding of and respect for the value and contributions of staff and volunteers.
• Strategic and collaborative integrator who seeks synergies and partnerships.
• Ability to identify optimal approaches to secure cooperation from campus partners.
• Highly motivated and results-driven individual able to set high standards and goals.
• Strong analytical, interpretative and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional relationship builder capable of cultivating long-term relationships with alumni, donors, and volunteers.
• Ability to align prospective donor interests with the University’s strategic priorities.
• Poised, professional, and diplomatic, brings exceptional judgement, tact, maturity and discretion.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong listening ability and influence.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities.