Director OF Major Gifts

Director of Major and Planned Gifts - Reed College

ID 102563 Application Deadline 9/18/2026 Category Advancement Company Reed College Job Locations US-OR-Portland

At a glance

Another Source is partnering with Reed College to recruit a Director of Major and Planned Gifts in Portland, Oregon. This newly created leadership role offers the opportunity to shape major and planned giving strategy at a nationally recognized liberal arts and sciences college known for rigorous academics, intellectual curiosity, and close faculty-student collaboration. The Director will lead a team of fundraising professionals while cultivating leadership-level donors capable of making six- and seven-figure commitments. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact while strengthening Reed's long-term culture of philanthropy.

Description: What you'll be doing

Another Source's client, Reed College , is recruiting a Director of Major and Planned Gifts to join their team in Portland, Oregon.

Here's a little about Reed College:

Founded in 1908, Reed College is a nationally recognized independent liberal arts and sciences college in Southeast Portland, Oregon. Known for its rigorous academics, close faculty-student collaboration, and culture of intellectual curiosity, Reed prepares students to think critically, conduct independent research, and make meaningful contributions to the world.

Joining Reed means becoming part of a vibrant community committed to academic excellence, inclusion, and lifelong learning.

About this role:

This is a newly created senior leadership role within Reed College's Advancement office and an opportunity to shape how the college approaches major and planned giving for the future. The Director of Major and Planned Gifts will bring together strategy, team leadership, and frontline fundraising to advance Reed's philanthropic priorities and strengthen its long-term culture of philanthropy.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Development Leadership and Strategies within the division of the Vice President of College Advancement, you will lead and develop fundraising professionals spanning major gifts of $100,000+ and planned gifts. You'll set strategy, strengthen portfolio management, and create collaborative approaches that maximize both current and deferred philanthropic support.

You'll also remain close to the work, personally managing a portfolio of 50+ leadership-level donors with the capacity to make six- and seven-figure commitments. This is an opportunity for an accomplished advancement leader who enjoys developing people, building donor relationships, and translating institutional priorities into meaningful opportunities for philanthropy.

This is a primarily onsite role with the opportunity to work remotely one day per week after six months.

Scope & Impact

Develop and execute an integrated major and planned giving strategy aligned with Reed College's fundraising priorities and campaign goals.

• Lead the coordination of major and planned giving strategies to maximize both current and deferred philanthropic support.

• Contribute to campaign planning and help shape fundraising policies, procedures, and best practices.

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of fundraising professionals, establishing clear goals, performance expectations, metrics, and accountability.

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven team environment that encourages strong performance and bold thinking.

• Personally manage and actively cultivate a portfolio of 50+ leadership-level donors, advancing relationships toward significant philanthropic commitments.

• Partner with Advancement Operations to strengthen reporting, analytics, performance metrics, and data-informed decision-making.

• Collaborate with prospect research to maintain a healthy pipeline and identify opportunities for donor engagement.

• Work closely with administrators and faculty to develop donor strategies, advance relationships, and support successful solicitations.

• Partner across Annual Giving, Donor Relations, Alumni Relations, and Parent Engagement to create a cohesive donor experience.

• Strengthen stewardship practices that encourage meaningful, long-term engagement with Reed.

• Support training and knowledge-building across Advancement related to major gifts and gift planning concepts.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of fundraising experience, including at least five years managing fundraising professionals.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

• Demonstrated ability to design and execute long-term fundraising strategies that connect major and planned giving with institutional priorities.

• Proven success leading, coaching, and developing fundraisers while building a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team.

• Experience managing donor portfolios of 50+ prospects and using moves management to maintain a strong pipeline.

• Demonstrated success securing significant philanthropic commitments; experience closing six- and seven-figure major and planned gifts is strongly preferred.

• Ability to use metrics, reporting tools, and performance data to guide fundraising strategy and evaluate progress.

• Exceptional relationship-building skills and the ability to establish trust with high-net-worth individuals, alumni, faculty, and institutional leaders.

• Ability to collaborate effectively across Advancement functions and create a cohesive donor experience.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate Reed's mission and funding priorities into compelling, donor-centered opportunities.

• Strong project management skills with the ability to balance team leadership, an active fundraising portfolio, and campaign initiatives.

• Genuine alignment with Reed College's values and commitment to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and mission-driven culture of philanthropy.

What's in it for you:

The starting salary range for this position is $165,000-$172,000 . Final compensation is contingent upon experience and determined through Reed College's internal pay assessment.

Reed College offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial future, and life beyond work, including:

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance, with Reed paying 60% of medical and dental premiums for dependents.

• 403(b) retirement plan with a 10% employer contribution after one year of service.

• Educational assistance for employees and their children.

• 22 days of paid vacation.

• Paid holidays.

• Half-day Fridays during the summer.

• Access to a variety of campus amenities.

Application Process

A resume and cover letter are required. Applications will be considered as they are submitted, so candidates are encouraged to apply early.

Reed College responds to every candidate. The college will confirm receipt of your application and communicate with you regarding your candidacy as the process progresses.

Opportunity Statement

Reed College prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or familial status, military status, veteran status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local laws that apply to the college, in any area, activity or operation of the college, including in its employment policies, educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, housing policies, athletic programs, and other school-administered programs.

Background Check Requirement

A criminal background check is required for all staff positions as a condition of employment. Offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of this process. A criminal conviction does not automatically disqualify a candidate; each conviction is evaluated individually based on its nature and its relevance to the responsibilities of the position.

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.

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