Job Description Summary

The Director of Development, Principal Gifts, is responsible for designing and executing strategies to secure major and transformational philanthropic support for MUSC’s enterprise-wide academic, clinical, and research priorities. Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, this role focuses exclusively on principal‑level donor engagement and supporting the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Associate Vice President of the MUSC Foundation in their principal gift activities, as well as driving moves management of these prospects across the MUSC Foundation.

The Director partners closely with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Associate Vice President of the MUSC Foundation, along with MUSC leadership, faculty, clinical chairs, administrators, and development colleagues to drive principal gift strategies. This role plays a critical part in advancing MUSC’s mission to preserve and optimize human life by aligning donor interests with institutional funding needs across priority areas such as capital projects, endowed positions, scholarships, clinical programming, programmatic endowments, research initiatives, and other high‑impact strategic opportunities.

The Director serves as a trusted strategic thought partner for the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Associate Vice President of the MUSC Foundation, and an ambassador for MUSC—ensuring donor engagement is coordinated, seamless, and deeply reflective of MUSC’s values and institutional direction.

Entity

University Medical Associates (UMA) Only Employees and Financials

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Regular

Cost Center

CC002075 UMA OTHR PAY MUSC Foundation CC

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

Health-33

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

This position will be located on-site in the Charleston, SC area.

Responsibilities:

Principal Gift Strategy (40%):

• Design and implement principal‑gift strategies that support gift solicitations in support of MUSC’s highest institutional priorities.

• Work alongside the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Associate Vice President of the MUSC Foundation to drive all principal gift prospects and donors through all stages of moves management

• Lead donor strategies for large‑scale initiatives including strategic capital and academic opportunities.

• Partner with MUSC leadership to articulate compelling philanthropic opportunities that advance MUSC’s mission.

Strategic Collaboration & Leadership Support (30%):

• Work closely with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Associate Vice President to develop enterprise‑wide philanthropic strategies to engage our top prospects.

• Provide counsel on donor strategy, engagement opportunities, and major proposal framing.

• Prepare leadership for donor meetings with briefings, strategy memos, and customized stewardship materials.

• Ensure coordinated, seamless donor experiences across MUSC’s highly matrixed environment.

Donor Stewardship & Moves Management (15%):

• Provide high‑touch, personalized stewardship for principal‑level donors.

• Ensure meaningful, mission‑aligned engagement that deepens donor understanding of MUSC’s impact.

• Serve as a strategic consultant for gift officers pursuing principal gift asks within their portfolios.

• Ensure timely, comprehensive donor documentation and impact reporting.

Communication & Material Development (10%):

• Develop high‑quality briefings, talking points, and strategic donor materials.

• Ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency of messaging for donor interactions.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%):

• Working with leadership to fulfill tasks ensuring alignment with fundraising strategies and professional growth through mentorship, performance management, and operational guidance.

• Use data‑driven analytics and relationship insights to advance prospects through the cultivation pipeline.

• Document all prospect interactions, moves, and strategies using established protocols.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent and at least 5 years of related professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Additional Job Description

Physical Requirements:

Continuous requirements are to work indoors; possess good finger dexterity; maintain tactile sensory functions; maintain 20/40 vision corrected in one eye or with both eyes; maintain good peripheral vision capabilities; and maintain hearing acuity with correction.

Frequent requirements are to perform job functions while standing/upright, sitting, and walking/mobile; fully use both hands and arms; perform repetitive motions with hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders; perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements; reach in all directions; see and recognize objects close at hand and at a distance; match or discriminate between colors; determine distance and relationship between objects including depth perception; and hear and/or understand whispered conversations at a distance of 3 feet.

Infrequent requirements are to work outdoors in all weather and temperature extremes; work in confined/cramped spaces and dusty areas; kneel and squat to perform job functions; perform pinching operations; lift and carry 15 lbs. unassisted; lift objects up to 15 lbs. from floor level to a height of 36 inches unassisted; and push or pull objects up to 15 lbs. unassisted.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees