Director, Principal Gifts

The Director, Principal Gifts plays a critical role in advancing USA for UNHCR’s mission to protect and support refugees worldwide. This position is responsible for developing and managing relationships with ultra-high-net-worth individuals to secure transformational gifts of $1 million and above. The Director will design and execute bespoke cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies that align donor interests with organizational priorities.

Working closely with the Senior Director, Private Philanthropy and senior leadership, this role will help shape strategic growth pathways to increase revenue and ensure long-term sustainability. The Director will serve as a trusted advisor to donors and prospects, navigating complex philanthropic relationships with nuance and credibility. This role requires strategic donor engagement, high-level fundraising expertise, and collaboration with senior and executive leadership to drive philanthropic impact.

• Develop and manage a portfolio of ultra-high-net-worth individual and family foundation donors and prospects capable of making $1M+ gifts.
• Develop individual engagement strategies to deepen relationships and secure multi-year commitments. Cultivate, solicit, and steward principal gift donors through personalized engagement strategies.
• Partner with the Executive Leadership Team, board members, and Senior Director of Private Philanthropy to enhance existing donor engagement and secure increased gifts.
• Partner with program teams to identify priority funding opportunities for ultra-high-net-worth donors and provide direction and guidance to craft compelling cases for support, reports and high-impact giving opportunities. Collaborate with team to translate complex humanitarian priorities into donor-centric proposals.
• Lead solicitations for principal gifts, including unrestricted and strategically aligned restricted funding. Secure and grow philanthropic investments through high-touch relationship management.
• Facilitate opportunities for UHNW donors to engage deeply with UNHCR’s mission, including – when appropriate - accompanying UHNW donors on mission trips to provide firsthand insight into programs, strengthen relationships and inspire transformational giving.
• Maintain accurate records of donor interactions in CRM systems. Track progress against goals and provide regular reports to leadership.
• Lead and execute principal gift fundraising strategies, contributing to the Private Philanthropy overall revenue goal and expanding the UHNW portfolio
• Partner with internal teams, including the Board of Directors, and with UNHCR global headquarters to identify, qualify and approach new prospects.
• Work closely with the Pipeline Development department to ensure portfolio remains healthy, robust, active and productive.
• Stay informed on UNHCR’s global programs and priorities to effectively communicate impact.
• Monitor philanthropic trends and best practices to align donor interests with organizational needs, ensuring strategies remain innovative and competitive.
• Work cross-functionally with Development, Communications and appropriate teams to align fundraising efforts and maximize transformational funding opportunities.

• Strategize with leadership on growth of the UHNWI program and bring new, thoughtful ideas to the organization.
• Represent USA for UNHCR with authority at donor meetings, events, and key philanthropic convenings to elevate the organization’s profile, recruit new prospects and deepen engagement with principal gifts donors.
• Provide strategic input into USA for UNHCR fundraising campaigns, initiatives, and donor engagement plans.
• Serve as a thought partner to leadership and program teams to align UHNW fundraising with organizational priorities.
• Mentor and support colleagues in donor engagement best practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable…