Associate Director for Development - Leadership Gifts

PACIFIC UNIVERSITY • Forest Grove, OR

6d • $65,000 - $72,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close and nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship, and practice. At Pacific University, we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove and Hillsboro. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, and acquire and share knowledge.

Joining a collaborative team dedicated to a common goal, the Associate Director of Leadership Giving will manage an assigned pool of prospective donors throughout the entire fundraising process, encompassing discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. This role specifically focuses on mid-level prospects to establish a robust pipeline of major gift prospects. This portfolio will be significant and dynamic, focusing on alumni, friends, and families, raising support for the greatest need, scholarships, and university initiatives. Gift conversations will include annual fund, endowed, and capital gift components.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of successful professional development and/or fundraising experience preferably in higher education.
• Communicates with students, faculty, staff and the public appropriate to the age of the individual served.
• Builds on basic learning and carries it from one situation to another.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills in problem solving and decision-making.
• Asks questions and seeks assistance.
• Takes responsibility to eliminate the source of problems.
• Demonstrates confidentiality regarding information pertaining to all students, faculty and staff.
• Maintains proper appearance and personal conduct for the employee’s particular job.
• Uses effective communication skills taking into consideration body language, filters, listening, paraphrasing, and questions in all interactions.
• Demonstrates ability to work in a team environment.
• Demonstrates the ability to exercise good judgment and a clear understanding of ethics related to development activities.
• Maintains discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others.
• Upholds a high level of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to University business and confidential prospect information.
• Proficient in fundraising techniques, including but not limited to: proposal development, prospect identification, program planning, fund solicitation, and donor tracking.
• Possess strong database management skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with academic leadership, faculty, prospects, donors, and/or volunteers in a wide range of roles.
• Ability to work independently while fostering effective working relationships within a team environment
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and continue to work without employer visa sponsorship, now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with constituent relations software (e.g. Raisers Edge) or similar CRM
• Experience working in a higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven environment.
• Familiarity with project management, event management, or CRM tools (e.g., Raiser’s Edge).
• Demonstrated experience working with people across a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and cultures.

Responsibilities

• Design and proactively manage strategies for the discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of 250+ donors, concentrating on gifts within the Leadership Annual Giving range ($1,000-$5,000).
• Develop and execute strategic fundraising and engagement efforts by designing, implementing, evaluating, and refining development activities to drive donor retention, reactivation, acquisition, and pipeline growth.
• Develop and submit written proposals and collateral materials as needed to secure philanthropic gifts.
• Work within the University-wide prospect management system alongside the Director of Prospect Management & Analytics to identify and prioritize prospects, prepare background information, make contacts or assignments as appropriate, and follow up to ensure completion of assigned solicitations.
• Assume responsibility for core fundraising metrics, including face-to-face visits with prospects, identification of new prospects, growth in cumulative giving from the prospect portfolio, and total dollars raised.
• Collaborate with other Development team members to achieve common goals while also meeting individual targets for visits and other activities.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships between Deans/Directors; Collaborate with department heads and faculty to provide guidance and coordinate development efforts; Assist College-specific councils and volunteers in achieving their philanthropic goals as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of University Advancement and institutional priorities.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off (for vacation, holidays—including winter break—and sick leave)
• Medical coverage with alternative care options (with in-network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction)
• Comprehensive dental and vision plans
• Generous retirement contribution after one year of service with no match required
• Free mental health appointments
• Tuition remission for employees and their dependent child(ren) who meet eligibility requirements
• On-campus benefits, including free access to our sports facility and library
• Discounts on campus food, bookstore purchases, clinic services, and outdoor program gear rentals (including kayaks, snowshoes, and bikes)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level