Director of Advancement-Major Gifts

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences•Yakima, WA

9h•Onsite

About The Position

Recruitment Period: 07/30/2026 - Until Filled Status: Full-Time, 40 hours/week Salary Information: Annual Minimum Salary-$67,200-Annual Maximum Salary-$107,500 Hiring Rate: $32.31-$41.97 Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Pro-rated based on hours/week. Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) does not sponsor employment visas. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and for the duration of their employment with PNWU. Employment eligibility will be verified in accordance with federal law. Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) was founded as a 501(c) (3) non-profit medical institution in 2005 aimed at increasing access to health care in medically underserved areas of the Pacific Northwest. The University currently offers the degrees of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy enrolling over 550 students annually. Interprofessional education partnerships with other universities adds another 100 students to the population. The campus includes 300 employees with academic programming spread over a five-state region. PNWU is located in Yakima, WA, a city of approximately 95,000 located in the south-central part of the state near the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in a major agricultural and outdoor recreation region. It is approximately 140 miles from Seattle, 170 miles from Portland, and 200 miles from Spokane. The Yakima Valley is a wonderful place to live, work and play. For more information, visit https://www.visityakima.com/. General Summary: Director of Advancement – Major Gifts reports directly to the Executive Director of Advancement and plays a pivotal role in advancing the university's mission by securing transformative philanthropic contributions. This role involves identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors to achieve ambitious fundraising goals, including securing six- and seven-figure gifts. The successful candidate will manage a portfolio of high-value prospects through personalized outreach, relationship-building, and strategic solicitation efforts, leveraging deep insights into donor motivations and philanthropic trends.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree OR an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential functions of the position
1-3 years relevant experience
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build genuine rapport with high-net-worth individuals
Strong understanding of fundraising principles, best practices, and moves management
Demonstrated success in securing six and seven-figure gifts
Excellent organizational and time management abilities, with a proven capacity to manage multiple priorities
Strong listening skills
Ability to work in a team and flexibility to work with others in a variety of circumstances
Ability to solve problems by analyzing issues and creating action plans
Ability to work with and manage different computer programs and databases
Ability to schedule activities and/or meetings
A letter of introduction outlining background and qualifications for the position
Detailed resume
Contact information for three professional references

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning: Collaborate with the development leadership team to design and implement major gift fundraising strategies that align with organizational objectives.
Portfolio Management: Maintain and manage a portfolio of major donor prospects, leveraging CRM tools such as Raiser’s Edge to track interactions, progress, and giving potential.
Prospect Identification & Research: Conduct detailed research to identify prospective donors with significant philanthropic potential and develop tailored engagement strategies.
Relationship Building: Establish and nurture meaningful relationships with major donors through regular communication, in-person meetings, and customized engagement plans.
Cultivation & Solicitation: Develop compelling proposals that clearly articulate the university’s mission and impact. Lead solicitation efforts to secure major gifts, achieving annual fundraising targets of $1M–$2.5M in countable gifts.
Leadership Engagement: Partner with board members, the president, deans, and program leads to identify, engage, and secure commitments from high-value donors.
Event Management: Participate in, and occasionally lead, special events designed to cultivate, engage, and solicit major donors.
Donor Stewardship: Implement robust stewardship plans to acknowledge and thank donors, keep them informed of gift impact, and foster ongoing engagement and loyalty.
Performs other related duties as assigned and based on departmental need.