Principal Gift Officer, Athletics

Principal Gift Officer

Sun Devil Athletics, in partnership with the ASU Foundation (ASUF), advances Arizona State University's mission by building transformational partnerships with alumni, fans, and donors, who believe in the power of athletics to elevate institutional pride, student-athlete success, and national competitiveness.

The Principal Gift Officer, Athletics will work in close partnership with ASUF leadership and Sun Devil Athletics executive leadership to design and execute the most significant philanthropic opportunities supporting ASU Athletics. The Principal Gift Officer will personally manage a portfolio of 40–50 ultra-high-net-worth individuals and organizations toward optimal engagement, investment, and long-term partnership with Sun Devil Athletics.

• Manage a portfolio of 40–50 principal- and leadership-level athletics prospects, with independent responsibility for developing and executing highly customized engagement strategies that lead to transformational philanthropic investments in Sun Devil Athletics. Closes $10–20 million annually in new gifts and commitments.
• Partner closely with ASUF leadership, Sun Devil Athletics leadership, including the Athletics Director, head coaches, and senior athletics administrators, to cultivate and steward authentic, high-impact relationships with donors and prospects aligned with athletic priorities.
• Collaborate with ASUF and Athletics development colleagues to proactively manage a principal giving portfolio, with a primary focus on securing gifts of $5M+ in support of athletics facilities, endowments, programs, student-athlete experiences, competitive excellence, and long-term strategic initiatives. Athletics facilities priorities include, but are not limited to, Packard Drive Practice Facility, Desert Financial Arena, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Farrington Stadium, Track & Tennis relocation and the creation of a Broadcast Studio.
• Serve as a strategic connector between donors and ASU Athletics leadership, coaches, and student-athlete initiatives, ensuring prospects are engaged in ways that reflect their interests while advancing departmental goals.
• Lead the development of compelling proposals and investment opportunities, including written proposals, budgets, naming opportunities, and customized collateral that articulate the vision and competitive aspirations of Sun Devil Athletics.
• Provide senior-level fundraising counsel to athletics leadership on emerging priorities, campaign strategies, donor readiness, and marketplace opportunities impacting intercollegiate athletics.
• Participate in strategic planning and campaign leadership for athletics fundraising initiatives, working with ASUF and Athletics leadership to identify funding needs, growth opportunities, and donor-aligned strategies.
• Maintain rigorous prospect management practices, ensuring accurate tracking of visits, solicitations, and stewardship activities within ASUF systems and in alignment with foundation protocols.
• Ensure exemplary stewardship and recognition of athletics donors, reinforcing long-term relationships and sustained philanthropic engagement with Sun Devil Athletics.
• Serve as project manager for complex, multi-layered athletics proposals involving multiple stakeholders, institutional priorities, and long-term funding commitments.
• Manage assigned budgets, ensuring maximum philanthropic ROI while maintaining fiscal discipline and accountability.
• Maintain current knowledge of key alumni, donors, and national athletics fundraising trends, and partner with research colleagues to proactively identify and qualify new prospects.
• Other duties as assigned, in support of Sun Devil Athletics advancement goals.

• A creative, entrepreneurial approach to athletics fundraising, paired with intellectual curiosity and strong self-direction.
• Demonstrated professional credibility and executive presence to build trust with athletics leadership, donors, coaches, and institutional partners.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to translate athletics vision and competitive ambitions into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• High-level interpersonal…