Associate Director of Development - Major Gifts

Associate Director of Development - Major Gifts

Forest Grove Campus - Forest Grove, OR

Overview

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: $75,000 - $100,000

Reports to: Senior Director of Development

Description

The Associate Director of Development – Major Gifts plays a vital role in cultivating and strengthening relationships with a portfolio of mid-level and major donors, with a focus on individuals capable of making gifts ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 or more. This field-based position involves frequent travel and direct, in-person engagement with alumni, families, and friends of the university. The primary fundraising priorities include scholarships and other key university initiatives.

We are seeking a passionate, detail-oriented professional who is inspired by the power of philanthropy and dedicated to advancing the university's mission. The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator and relationship-builder who can thoughtfully engage current and prospective donors, encouraging them to make meaningful, transformative gifts.

The Associate Director of Development – Major Gifts will work closely with senior advancement staff to execute strategies that grow the donor base, enhance donor engagement, and increase overall fundraising outcomes

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities

• Portfolio Management: Manage a portfolio of approximately 100-150 mid-level and major gift donors and prospects, with giving capacity of $5,000 to $25,000 or more. Ensure consistent stewardship and personalized communication to cultivate long-term, meaningful relationships.
• Donor Engagement: Cultivate, solicit, and steward mid-level donors through personalized strategies that align their philanthropic interests with university priorities. Engage donors through a combination of phone, email, and in-person meetings, including regular travel to strategically important regions to build and strengthen relationships.
• Solicitation and Stewardship: Develop and implement solicitation strategies to increase donor support and deepen engagement. Collaborate with senior gift officers and advancement staff to prepare proposals, reports, and customized solicitation materials. Ensure timely and thoughtful acknowledgment and stewardship of all gifts.
• Strategic Planning and Reporting: Contribute to the development of annual plans and goals for mid-level giving, emphasizing donor engagement, retention, and revenue growth. Monitor progress toward key metrics, identify growth opportunities, and support efforts to expand the donor pipeline.
• Database Management: Maintain accurate records of donor interactions and engagement in the fundraising database. Ensure data is up-to-date and manage donor records with integrity, ensuring effective tracking of giving history, preferences, and interactions.
• Travel and Donor Visits: Regularly travel—both in-state and out-of-state—to meet with current and prospective donors. Plan and execute visits that are strategically aligned with donor interests and university priorities. This includes managing travel logistics, preparing tailored materials, and fostering long-term relationship development through meaningful in-person engagement.

Secondary Functions

• Collaboration with Team Members: Work closely with other members of the University Advancement team, including development staff, marketing, and alumni relations, to ensure coordinated efforts and a unified approach to donor engagement.
• Event Support: Attend and support university events that involve or target donors. This includes occasional evening, or weekend work to ensure successful execution of engagement and fundraising activities.

Job Scope

This position is a key member of the Development team and requires consistent collaboration with the supervisor and Advancement colleagues to ensure alignment toward shared fundraising and engagement goals.

Supervisor Responsibility

• No Supervisory Responsibilities: This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

Required Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of related professional experience in development and/or fundraising preferably within Higher Education
• Experience with mid-level major gift fundraising, technical proposal writing, and donor stewardship is strongly preferred.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage donors and build meaningful relationships.
• Proven ability to manage and prioritize a dynamic portfolio of donor relationships.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills; ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in fundraising software and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Personal Attributes:

• Passion for higher education and the impact of philanthropy.
• Self-motivated and goal-oriented, with a track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals.
• 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.
• Ability to work independently while also fostering collaboration and teamwork.

Hybrid/Remote Work Eligibility:

Hybrid, on-campus and remote work combination.

Schedule Expectations:

• Standard weekday hours (Monday–Friday)
• Occasional evening and/or weekend responsibilities

Travel Requirements:

• Frequent travel required

Required Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary work – involves sitting most of the time
• Light work – involves lifting up to 20 pounds

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