Associate Director for Development - Leadership Gifts

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.

Salary Range: $65,000 - $72,000

Reports to: Sr. Director of Development

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR 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.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

• Performs other duties as assigned in support of University Advancement and institutional priorities.

JOB SCOPE: This position serves as a key member of the Development team. The position requires a high level of communication with their supervisor and colleagues to ensure each unit is working together to accomplish common goals.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY:

• Occasional Oversight: This position may provide occasional guidance or task-specific oversight to student workers, interns, or temporary staff.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of successful professional development and/or fundraising experience preferably in higher education.
• Preferred: Experience with constituent relations software (e.g. Raisers Edge) or similar CRM

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

•  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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 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.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This position is based on Pacific’s Forest Grove Campus but may require occasional travel to other campuses, as well as throughout the Portland Metro Area and some regional travel. This position requires the ability and willingness to work evening and weekend hours occasionally. This position is primarily sedentary office work. Occasionally this position will need to stand and walk; twist; lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 25 pounds Ability to communicate effectively via phone email, online meetings, and in person.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position operates in a professional university office environment with frequent collaboration across departments. Work is primarily performed in an office setting with regular use of standard office equipment and technology. The role requires the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and engage with a wide range of campus and external partners. Some evening and weekend work may be required to support university events, deadlines, or peak periods of activity.

HYBRID/REMOTE WORK ELIGIBILITY

● Hybrid

Schedule Expectations:

● Regular evening and/or weekend responsibilities

Travel Requirements:

● Some travel required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position requires the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. The role involves a combination of sedentary work and periods of standing or walking, including moving between campus locations and event sites. The position may require lifting, carrying, or moving light materials or equipment (up to approximately 25 pounds), using standard office and event-related equipment, and working at a computer for extended periods. The ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and through electronic means is required.
 

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please upload your resume,  cover letter and three professional references along with your Paycom application.  Persons who do not follow and complete the application process are not applicants and will not be considered for employment.

Only qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview. During the selection process, we will strive to provide timely notifications. The selection process may vary from recruitment to recruitment but typically includes multiple interviews and may take several weeks depending on the position. All qualified applicants will be notified once the selection process has closed.

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.

At Pacific University, we are dedicated to offering experiences that are authentic, holistic, equity-minded, and responsive. Our communal success rests on the recognition that complex problems and effective solutions are best approached by teams with a variety of diverse perspectives. and life experiences. As we continue to develop our equity practices, we actively promote access to opportunities and equitable pay for all employees.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs where they are unsure if they can perform every function in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may come from a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about how your background and skill set may qualify you for the role.

We, who make up Pacific University, aspire to become a community of purpose where everyone is enabled to be wholly and comfortably who they are; accountable for inclusive behaviors and practices; built on trust, civility, care, openness, and honest conversations often around critical subjects. We know that these values are critical to prepare for a global world with complex problems, through an asset-based mindset so that everyone is afforded an opportunity to succeed. We believe in fostering a workplace where every employee is respected, their contributions are valued, and they are provided opportunities to succeed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for qualifying employees. Current benefits include:

• 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)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all applicable laws, including those concerning employment and workplace policies. We are committed to fostering a non-discriminatory and inclusive work environment. We are proud to encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from historically underrepresented groups.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

Pacific University makes all employment decisions without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. Applicable laws include, but are not limited to, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116 or via email at [email protected].