Associate Vice President of Development

PLNU is a Christian liberal arts university in the evangelical, Wesleyan tradition, offering quality undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. We provide higher education in a vibrant Christian environment where minds are engaged and challenged, character is modeled and formed, and service is an expression of faith. PLNU is an institution that is committed to reflecting the rich diversity of God's kingdom. We therefore encourage applications from culturally diverse candidates.


Benefits:

We are pleased to offer attractive benefits and resources. This includes benefits such as health, dental, tuition benefits for employees and dependents, competitive retirement matching, vacation and sick time, and 15 paid holidays per year. In addition, we have many opportunities to engage with our community including staff chapel and a robust wellness program.

Job Summary:
PLNU is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Associate Vice President of Development to lead and grow the university's major gifts, planned giving, and foundation fundraising efforts during an exciting season of institutional growth and campaign preparation. This executive advancement leader will play a critical role in shaping philanthropic strategy, mentoring a high-performing frontline fundraising team, and cultivating transformational partnerships that advance PLNU's mission and future vision.

Salary:
Pay range $133,000 - $165,000
Actual salary offered is determined by the candidate's experience, education, skills, and other factors, including internal equity and university funding resources.

Job Status:
Full time

Job Description:

What We're Looking For

• Proven success leading major gift and planned giving fundraising strategies within higher education or complex nonprofit environments
• Strong ability to cultivate and steward relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and philanthropic partners
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing fundraising professionals in a metrics-driven environment
• Strategic thinker with the ability to build scalable fundraising systems, donor engagement strategies, and campaign initiatives
• Experience designing and implementing comprehensive planned giving and estate giving programs
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills with the ability to inspire donors, volunteers, and institutional leaders
• Ability to analyze fundraising data, pipeline activity, and campaign performance to drive strategic decisions
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to partner effectively across university departments and leadership teams
• High level of professionalism, discretion, judgment, and emotional intelligence
• Knowledge and experience working with a diverse population is preferred

What You'll Be Doing

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for PLNU's major gifts, planned giving, and foundation fundraising programs
• Lead and mentor a frontline fundraising team including Major Gift Officers, Planned Giving, and Foundation Relations staff
• Design and implement a comprehensive planned giving strategy focused on expanding revocable and irrevocable estate gifts
• Develop integrated strategies, engagement plans, and marketing efforts to grow planned giving and estate giving pipelines
• Serve as a player-coach by managing a portfolio of major donors and high-net-worth planned giving prospects
• Lead fundraising strategy development in preparation for PLNU's comprehensive campaign launching in 2027
• Establish moves management strategies, fundraising metrics, and accountability systems for development officers
• Partner with advancement leadership to implement campaign priorities, special initiatives, and presidential fundraising goals
• Collaborate with academic and administrative leaders to identify funding priorities and develop compelling cases for support
• Provide strategic oversight for donor stewardship, campaign reporting, and advancement communications
• Ensure accurate documentation and donor activity reporting within Raiser's Edge and related advancement systems
• Support integration of gift and estate planning strategies across all frontline fundraising activities
• Represent PLNU at donor meetings, engagement events, conferences, and philanthropic gatherings

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred
• At least ten years of progressive experience in major gifts fundraising and team leadership, preferably within a higher education or comparably complex non-profit environment
• Thorough knowledge of development principles and a strong record of accomplishment in creating and managing a comprehensive major gifts program
• Demonstrated success discovering, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts in excess of $50,000
• Success soliciting and closing major, blended, and revocable/irrevocable estate and planned gifts
• Familiarity with estate planning instruments, products, principles, and marketing programs, and success integrating gift and estate planning into a comprehensive major gifts program
• Proven success leading a disciplined moves management strategy with a portfolio of individuals
• Experience collaborating with academic and administrative leadership to define strategic projects and initiatives, drafting cases for support, and developing engagement experiences and events
• A high level of professional and spiritual maturity, judgment and decisiveness to motivate fellow staff and volunteers, and to inspire confidence among donor prospects
• Strong administrative and systems experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Evidence of Christian commitment and active church involvement. In addition, staff agree to live in agreement with PLNU's Community Life Covenant.
• The job offer is contingent on the successful completion of a background check. PLNU will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local "Fair Chance" laws

The Ideal Candidate Will Be

• A strong self-starter with a positive attitude and intrinsic motivation
• Creative, highly productive, flexible, and able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Comfortable with travel and flexible work schedules including occasional mornings, evenings, and weekends
• An excellent communicator with a winsome and relational leadership style
• Effective at collaborating across teams in a metrics-driven fundraising environment
• Passionate about advancing PLNU's Christian mission and institutional vision
• Known for honesty, responsiveness, follow-through, servant leadership, confidentiality, initiative, and adaptability
• Able to work effectively under pressure while managing multiple priorities and deadlines
• Proficient in Raiser's Edge, Google Apps, Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel

Physical Requirements

• Work is primarily sedentary and may require sitting for extended periods of time
• Use of computer equipment including keyboard, mouse, and monitor
• Ability to read documents, email, reports, and other correspondence on paper and computer monitor
• Ability to communicate effectively with others in person and by phone
• Ability to stand, stoop, push, pull, and lift up to 10 pounds

At PLNU, we believe in pursuing calling together. Deep and meaningful relationships between students, faculty, and staff is vital in nurturing our shared community and expressing God's love. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates to join us in empowering our students to reach their greatest personal, spiritual and professional potential.


Point Loma Nazarene University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures.