Senior Director, Impact & Legacy Giving

About Oregon Humane  

Founded in 1868, Oregon Humane is the Northwest's oldest and largest animal welfare organization with one of the highest adoption rates in the nation. We are working toward our vision of a world where all animals are treated with compassion, kindness and respect. With campuses in Portland and Salem, Oregon Humane is an Oregon-based nonprofit that relies on donor support for its adoption, education, medical and humane law enforcement programs. Visit oregonhumane.org to learn more about how we’re creating an ecosystem where all of us – animals and humans – feel safe, valued and part of something bigger. 

The Team 

The Senior Director of Impact & Legacy Giving is a key leader on the Advancement Team, which includes all of Oregon Humane’s fundraising, communication and marketing efforts. The team is made up of a group of passionate individuals who work every day to help raise funds, build awareness, steward current and cultivate new donors, and help Oregon Humane protect and care for as many animals and their people as possible. All Oregon Humane staff members contribute to the stewardship of the organization’s mission and are expected to stay current on and understand issues related to animal welfare and Oregon Humane’s programs. 

The Position 

As one of the most respected and innovative animal welfare organizations in the country, Oregon Humane is entering a new chapter of growth and transformation. We are uniting our philanthropy and planned giving teams into one powerful force: Impact & Legacy Giving, reflecting our belief that donors want to see the difference they make today and know their legacy will live on tomorrow. 

The Senior Director of Impact & Legacy Giving will be at the heart of this vision. This is a rare opportunity to shape a newly integrated approach, lead a talented team of fundraisers, and inspire transformational giving that sustains Oregon Humane’s mission for generations. If you are a strategic leader, a relationship builder, and a champion for both people and animals, this is your moment to leave your mark. 

Eligible Benefits  

We are committed to creating a better future for pets, and we work hard to achieve our goals while offering a rewarding workplace including competitive benefit packages to our employees.     

• Medical/Dental/Vision  

• Paid Time Off + Sick Time + Holidays  

• 401(k) with employer match  

• Professional Development Opportunities  

• One free Oregon Humane adoption / year 

• Perks & Discounts 

Essential Responsibilities 

PERSONAL LEADERSHIP 

• Consistently strives to exceed expectations; demonstrates flexibility, resilience, and the ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances. 

• Maintains high ethical standards, including exhibiting behaviors and actions that embrace and align to our organization and customer service values, while treating all people with respect and dignity.  

• Demonstrates an awareness of your individual personal strengths and development needs, modeling non-defensive behavior and openness to feedback; builds a culture of feedback and learning. 

TEAM LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT  

• Manage, support, and provide coaching feedback to team members, and create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence within their own team and embrace their role and responsibilities in advancing shared goals and priorities.  

• Manage day-to-day implementation and support for key activities including coordination with other teams implementing complementary activities.  

• Role model inclusive leadership, creating an environment where diverse viewpoints are welcomed and actively engaged 

LEARNING 

• Contributes to regular dialogue and accountability with the leadership team and across the organization to review progress and course correct if necessary. 

• Utilizes data and insights to identify, understand and articulate the key inputs and metrics that tell the story of the organization/team strategy and its progress. 

• Builds appropriate feedback loops to measure if we are meeting key milestones and if the impact planned is being felt across the organization. 

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION 

• Communicate effectively to executive and other stakeholder groups to ensure they are informed and able to actively engage. 

• Liaise with and maintain productive relationships with all stakeholders, including other departments, and donors; build mutually rewarding professional relationships inside Oregon Humane at all levels. 

• Leverage our best practices externally and grow Oregon Humane’ reputation as a leader in the animal welfare space. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

This role will lead a newly integrated team that unites mid/major giving and legacy/planned giving into one seamless, donor-centered structure—reflecting our vision to grow both immediate impact and lasting legacy. 

As the architect and champion of this effort, the Senior Director will: 

• Engage directly with donors at the highest levels, modeling best practices in major and legacy giving while maintaining a personal portfolio of prospects. 

• Shape strategy and structure for an integrated team of gift officers and donor engagement staff, aligning talent, processes, and outcomes with Oregon Humane’s mission and vision. 

• Inspire and lead a team of professionals focused on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors who can make transformational gifts during their lifetime or through their estate. 

• Partner across Advancement and Oregon Humane leadership to ensure a holistic approach to donor relationships, data-driven decision making, and long-term revenue growth. 

• Build a culture of advancement that nurtures staff growth, develops a strong bench of future leaders, and celebrates collaboration across teams. 

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY 

Supervises: Impact & Legacy Giving Teams 

ACCOUNTABILITY 

Reports Directly To: Chief Advancement Officer 

Often Engages Directly With: Advancement, Operations and Executive Teams, and Board of Directors, Donors and Volunteers

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills 

We are interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We welcome applicants who bring a diversity of identity, culture, experience, perspective and thought. We encourage you to apply, even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications described. You are also encouraged to address how your professional and lived experience, scholarship, mentorship and/or service will contribute to Oregon Humane. 

The ideal candidate will bring at least 10+ years of progressive fundraising leadership experience, with deep expertise in major and planned giving, a proven record of securing transformational gifts, and a passion for mentoring staff. They will be a strategic thinker who thrives in moments of change, and a relationship-builder who can inspire both donors and colleagues to dream bigger for animals and their people. 

Key Qualifications & Competencies 

Fundraising Expertise 

• 10 years’ progressive experience in fundraising, with at least 5 years in senior leadership roles. 

• Demonstrated success in securing major and planned gifts at the six- and seven-figure level. 

• Strong understanding of donor motivations, and all common giving vehicles (ex. DAFs, QCDs, CGAs, trusts, wills, gifts of stock, etc.), and the nuances of blended gifts. 

Leadership & Team Development 

• Proven ability to lead and inspire teams, including coaching and mentoring emerging leaders. 

• Experience fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth. 

• Skilled at building organizational bench strength and developing future leaders. 

Strategic Vision & Execution 

• Track record of designing and implementing integrated fundraising strategies. 

• Ability to align structure, talent, and processes to achieve organizational goals. 

• Adept at using data to drive decision-making, set priorities, and measure impact. 

Relationship Management 

• Exceptional ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward high-net-worth donors. 

• Comfort managing a personal portfolio of transformational prospects, while coaching others to success. 

• Skilled communicator who can articulate Oregon Humane’s mission with clarity, warmth, and conviction. 

Collaboration & Influence 

• Experience working in close partnership with executives, board members, and cross-functional teams. 

• Ability to serve as a visible ambassador for Oregon Humane, both internally and externally. 

• Commitment to building bridges across departments, ensuring Advancement is seen as a trusted partner. 

• Able to exercise sound judgment and maintain a professional demeanor during all interactions with the public, partner agencies, donors, staff and volunteers. 

General

• Proficiency using the Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills - able to communicate with a diverse population in a consistently informative, respectful and professional manner. 

Work Environment Conditions & Physical Requirements 

This position interacts and collaborates will all levels of the organization, including Oregon Humane staff, executive team members, donors, general public, external vendors, volunteers, and supporters. Contact and communication is carried out through face-to-face, telephone and digital interactions. Excellent customer service skills are essential to success. Communication must be clear, understandable, professional and respectful in all circumstances. 

WORKING CONDITIONS  

• Work is performed in an office and medical center/animal shelter environment. 

• Travel between the two campuses may be required. 

• Working at both campuses may be required.  

• Occasional weekend and evening work may be required. 

• Animal contact and related injuries may occur. 

• Noise exposure varies and sometimes includes uncontrolled barking and other animal vocalizations. 

• Pace of work is active and demanding, requiring a high degree of multitasking and ability to adapt to changing priorities while managing concurrent projects/tasks to completion. 

• Contact with angry or emotional people may occur.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Occasional lifting and moving of inanimate objects weighing up to 50 lbs. 

• Occasional pushing and pulling of carted items weighing up to 100 lbs. 

• Occasional moving items above shoulder level.  

• Occasional use of hands and arms at or above shoulder level.  

• Prolonged standing, sitting and/or stooping may occur.  

• Occasional climbing and bending. 

• Must be able to lift, move, restrain, guide, or manage an animal weighing up to 150 lbs. on a leash on an occasional basis.  

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods. 

• Ability to respond and perform life saving techniques in an emergency. 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and address and overcome complex challenges and barriers. We strive for a culture of integrity, respect and compassion where every member of our community contributes their perspectives and authentic selves and where everyone reaches their potential as individuals and teams. We recognize that striving for diversity, equity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Oregon Humane is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained impact. 

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group. 

At-Will Employment 

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.