Vice President for Principal Giving

Description: THE SEARCHSouthern Methodist University (SMU) seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial, and highly strategic advancement leader to serve as its inaugural Vice President for Principal Giving (VP). This newly created position represents a significant investment in the future of philanthropy at SMU and reflects the university's commitment to building a comprehensive principal gifts program capable of supporting its most ambitious academic and institutional priorities. Reporting to Senior Vice President for Development and External Affairs (SVP) Shontel Grumhaus, the VP will play a pivotal role in shaping the university's philanthropic future while helping define the next era of fundraising excellence at SMU.Southern Methodist University is experiencing a period of extraordinary momentum and transformation. Under the leadership of President Jay Hartzell and Senior Vice President Grumhaus, the university is reimagining its advancement enterprise and making strategic investments in talent, infrastructure, and organizational capacity. As SMU prepares for its next chapter of campaign planning and philanthropic growth, university leadership recognizes a unique opportunity to elevate principal giving from a collection of individual efforts into a sophisticated, institution-wide strategy capable of securing transformational support for the university's highest priorities. While SMU has achieved remarkable fundraising success and consistently outperformed expectations, much of its recent philanthropic growth has been driven through capital projects or other targeted initiatives. The university now seeks to build a more intentional principal giving program focused on advancing major academic priorities, supporting bold institutional initiatives, and cultivating the university's most significant philanthropic partnerships. The institution is uniquely positioned to elevate its philanthropic trajectory. With ambitious academic priorities, a deeply engaged community of supporters, and significant untapped potential among its most generous constituents, SMU is poised to build a principal gift program of national distinction. The VP will have the rare opportunity to further establish and significantly elevate a principal gifts enterprise. Working closely with university leadership, deans, advancement colleagues, and key volunteer partners, the successful candidate will develop a comprehensive approach to identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors capable of making transformational investments. The VP will serve as a strategic partner to the president and senior leadership team, help shape campaign priorities and philanthropic messaging, and establish the frameworks that connect donor interests to the university's most impactful opportunities. The VP will also lead and develop a growing team of principal gift professionals, creating a culture of ambition, collaboration, and accountability while elevating the team's capacity to pursue increasingly transformative philanthropic opportunities. This role arrives at a particularly exciting moment. SMU's forthcoming strategic plan will articulate an ambitious vision for the institution's future, accompanied by significant philanthropic priorities across multiple areas of the university. The VP will be instrumental in translating those aspirations into philanthropic priorities, building a sustainable principal gift pipeline, and helping position SMU for unprecedented and sustainable fundraising success. As a member of a collaborative and evolving leadership team, this individual will also serve as a thought partner in shaping campaign strategy, strengthening advancement operations, and building a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation across the growing division. The successful candidate will be an accomplished principal gifts professional and collaborative leader who combines strategic vision with operational discipline. This individual will bring a record of securing transformational gifts, experience leading within complex organizations, and the ability to navigate confidently among highly influential donors, senior academic leaders, and institutional volunteers. Most importantly, the incoming VP will be energized by the opportunity to build, helping to establish the structures, partnerships, and philanthropic ambitions that will define principal giving at SMU for years to come. Southern Methodist University has retained Jack Gorman of the national executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to conduct this important recruitment. Confidential inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed to the search firm as indicated at the end of this posting. ABOUT Southern Methodist University A nationally ranked private university located near the heart of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a distinguished center for global research and teaching. SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the university's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study, and innovative programs. The university serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology, and Mood School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the university to deliver research excellence. Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty, and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions – offers learning, research, social, and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact. Fundraising and Financial Overview The Office of Development and External Affairs (DEA) comprises 147 professionals and supports Southern Methodist University by securing funding for university priorities; promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the university; heightening international, national, state, and local awareness of SMU; and supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body. In Fiscal Year 2026, SMU raised over $300 million in philanthropic support. From 2017 to 2025, SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow – the university's campaign for impact – inspired an era of unprecedented advancement in academics, athletics, and national prominence. Thanks to more than 67,500 donors, volunteers, and supporters, the campaign exceeded its goal three years ahead of schedule, raising over $1.656 billion and becoming one of the largest campaigns in the history of private Texas universities.

Employee Status: Regular