Senior Principal, Principal Gifts

American Cancer Society

. Serve as a senior fundraiser focused on securing gifts at the $5M+ level .

Posted 10/8/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesSenior💰 $190,000 - $225,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in securing major gifts of $5M+ through strategic donor engagement and relationship management. Proficient in developing tailored fundraising materials and executing comprehensive donor stewardship strategies.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Major Gift FundraisingDonor Relationship ManagementSalesforce CRMFundraising Strategy DevelopmentExceptional Communication Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Fundraising ExperienceClosing 7- and 8-Figure GiftsDonor Pipeline DevelopmentCultivation StrategiesStewardship Strategies

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsDiscretionProfessionalismInfluencing Without AuthorityWritten Communication

Tools & Technologies

Donor Management SystemsCRM SystemsProject Management Tools

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's DegreeMaster's DegreeCFRE

Industry Keywords

High-Net-Worth IndividualsPrivate FoundationsPrincipal GiftsFundraising LandscapesACS All in Against Cancer Campaign

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as a senior fundraiser focused on securing gifts at the $5M+ level
Manage a portfolio of 15-20 high-net-worth individuals, private foundations, and select corporations
Qualify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward principal gifts of $5M+
Partner across ACS leadership and enterprise teams on mission priorities and opportunities
Translate organizational strategy into donor-centered engagement and solicitation strategies
Develop principal giving materials and resources, including cases for support, funding proposals, and stewardship strategies
Engage senior leadership, national board members, and key volunteers to strengthen donor relationships
Identify macro-level prospects, deepen donor engagement, and facilitate macro-level solicitations
Develop and refine cases for support, supporting materials, and strategy documents
Execute phases of the ACS All in Against Cancer Campaign and special initiatives
Use donor management systems such as Salesforce to track, measure, and analyze performance against KPIs

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's Degree required
Master's Degree preferred
CFRE preferred
At least 10 years of professional fundraising experience
Proven track record in successfully closing 7- and 8-figure gifts
Demonstrated success building a donor pipeline and securing major or principal gifts ($1M-$10M+)
Ability to build and sustain high-trust relationships with ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family foundations, and institutional partners
Experience curating personalized cultivation and stewardship strategies for principal giving donors
Experience working in highly matrixed environments and influencing across teams, functions, and senior leadership without direct authority
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including crafting high-impact proposals, briefings, and donor narratives
Excellent interpersonal skills, discretion, and professionalism
Ability to manage sensitive relationships and confidential information
Familiarity with CRM systems and, at times, project management tools
Knowledge of relevant social, political, and fundraising landscapes
Travel, including evening and weekend work, required

Benefits

Comp & perks

Generous paid time off policy
Medical benefits
Dental benefits
Retirement benefits
Wellness programs
Professional development programs to enhance staff skills