GBH enriches people's lives through programs and services that educate, inspire, and entertain, fostering citizenship and culture, the joy of learning, and the power of diverse perspectives.
At GBH, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are hybrid and work both from home and onsite. Our current hybrid approach requires staff to work onsite a minimum of two days each week, every Tuesday and Wednesday, Hybrid staff are also welcome to come in additional days each week or may be asked to come in on other days by their manager.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
GBH's Development Department is responsible for securing the philanthropic investment that sustains and expands New England's largest public media organization. Through individual giving, major gifts, planned giving, institutional fundraising, corporate support, membership, and campaign fundraising, the department builds meaningful relationships with donors who share GBH's commitment to journalism, education, culture, and community engagement.
Working closely with content leaders, senior executives, trustees, and volunteers, the Development team connects philanthropic partners to GBH's mission and strategic priorities. Together, they generate the resources needed to advance public service journalism, educational impact, innovative storytelling, and community-focused programming across the region and beyond.
JOB OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Sr. Director of Development, Major Gifts, The Principal Gifts Officer is a senior frontline fundraiser responsible for securing philanthropic support from individuals capable of making seven-figure+ investments in GBH. This role manages a portfolio of some of the organization's most significant donors and prospects, developing and executing strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts that advance GBH's mission and strategic priorities.
A Principal Gifts Officer brings deep fundraising expertise, operates with a high degree of independence, and serves as a trusted advisor to Development leadership, executives, and colleagues. The successful candidate will be a senior-level relationship builder with credibility in building a high-net worth pipeline for philanthropy They will have a proven record of identifying, qualifying and cultivating high-net-worth prospects, closing complex major and principal gifts, building lasting donor relationships, and partnering effectively with senior leaders, volunteers, and stakeholders to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage a portfolio of approximately 50-75 principal gift prospects and donors with capacity to make seven and eight-figure+ philanthropic commitments to develop and enhance the relationship to and connection with GBH.
Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies designed to secure transformational gifts.
Leverage personal and professional connections to identify and maintain an active pipeline of HNWI/Principal Gift prospects, and continuously advance those prospects through the gift cycle.
Create a strategy to continuously replenish and grow the pipeline of prospective principal gift donors by regularly qualifying new prospects through research, referrals, and engagement activities.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with major philanthropists, family foundations, wealth advisors, and community leaders.
In partnership with Development leadership, develop innovative and compelling cultivation strategies to deepen donor engagement with institutional priorities, using visits, events, stewardship activities, and volunteer involvement.
Personally solicit and close significant philanthropic investments, with annual revenue goals aligned to a principal gifts portfolio.
Collaborate with colleagues across teams to achieve team and overall Development Office fundraising…