Senior Advancement Officer

Seattle Pacific University•Lexington, MA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Seattle Pacific University is seeking a Senior Advancement Officer to cultivate and manage relationships with current and prospective major and planned gift donors. This role plays a key part in securing philanthropic support aligned with SPU’s strategic priorities. The position manages a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of making significant annual gifts, multi-year commitments, and planned gifts. Success is measured by portfolio engagement, moves management progress, and achievement of annual fundraising goals. The ideal candidate is relational, strategic, and self-directed, with a demonstrated ability to build trust and inspire generosity.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
2–3 years of professional experience in major gift fundraising, including demonstrated success in donor cultivation and solicitation
Ability to manage a portfolio and execute moves management strategies independently
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of constituents
Experience writing compelling donor proposals and impact reports
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Willingness and ability to travel within the United States as needed
Resides in the State of WA
A personal commitment to Christian faith; enthusiasm for supporting SPU’s mission; alignment with the University’s Statement of Faith; and willingness to uphold the lifestyle standards of our Christian community

Nice To Haves

3+ years of relevant fundraising experience, particularly in managing donor portfolios and securing major gifts
Demonstrated success securing and managing gifts of $50,000 or more
Experience using donor management systems such as Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of approximately 80–100 donors and prospects.
Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors capable of annual gifts of $5,000+, multi-year commitments of $25,000+, and planned gifts of $30,000+.
Develop and execute individualized moves management plans for each constituent.
Conduct regular donor engagement through email, phone, virtual meetings, and in-person visits.
Build strong, trust-based relationships by understanding donor interests and aligning them with university priorities.
Develop compelling donor proposals that balance institutional needs with donor passions.
Track and manage all donor activity, communication, and proposals in Raiser’s Edge NXT.
Partner with Prospect Development to identify and qualify new donor prospects.
Work closely with University Advancement colleagues to achieve shared fundraising goals.
Partner with university leaders, deans, faculty, and staff to understand and articulate funding priorities.
Collaborate with Donor Relations to develop and communicate giving opportunities.
Participate in team meetings, strategy sessions, and Advancement events.
Attend campus events and activities to deepen understanding of SPU programs and student impact.
Represent SPU in external settings, building relationships within broader communities.
Participate in professional development opportunities related to fundraising and advancement.
Manage travel planning, expense reporting, and donor correspondence.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all donor interactions and strategies.
Monitor progress toward annual goals and adjust strategies as needed.