ABOUT WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY:

Willamette University, founded in 1842, is a nationally-renowned private university enrolling 2800 students across five colleges. Our historic campus, adjacent to the Oregon State Capitol, hosts a distinguished undergraduate liberal arts college in Salem, Oregon. Our downtown Portland campus is home to the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA). We offer a wide range of professional graduate programs, including Oregon’s top-ranked MBA program, the Northwest’s oldest law school, as well as MA/MFA programs at PNCA and master’s degrees in data science and computer science.

Willamette University provides a high-value and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our Benefits Summary includes options for health, dental, life insurance, retirement, substantial paid time off, tuition and more. If you need assistance applying for a job or have any questions on recruitment at Willamette, please contact our HR Department, hr@willamette.edu or call us at 503-370-6210.

Position Summary

Are you energized by meaningful conversations, motivated by mission, and not fazed by a little jet lag? Willamette University is seeking a dynamic Director of Development (Major Gifts) to join our Advancement team. This is a role for someone who thrives in a mobile, mission-driven, collaborative, and highly relational environment—and who can pivot seamlessly between a cross-country donor visit and a strategic campus meeting with the Dean.

If you're passionate about liberal arts and professional education and excel at building authentic, long-term relationships that lead to transformational philanthropy, we’d love to meet you.

Join the team that ties the past to the present at Willamette University. The Advancement team helps build a bridge between alumni and students, providing mentorship, philanthropy, and experiential education opportunities. This position plays a pivotal role in fueling Willamette’s mission by connecting donor passions with institutional priorities.

Under the direction of the Associate Vice President for Advancement (AVP), the Director of Development (DOD) is a fundraiser for Willamette with an assigned portfolio of major gift and, as appropriate, gift planning prospects. The DOD maintains a portfolio of more than 100 individual/household donors with the goal of securing major gifts (defined as $100,000 or more) and deferred commitments. The DOD partners with advancement colleagues and campus partners to move donors through the donor continuum (from interest to ownership) toward meaningful philanthropy, including annual fund giving, outright major gifts, and deferred gifts.

The DOD will set annual performance goals to include, but not be limited to, discovery/qualification visits, substantive visits, proposals, Annual Fund dollars raised, and new commitments booked. Total commitments booked goals will vary from year to year based on portfolio maturity, with the expectation that after an appropriate period of development, this position should typically book $1M or more in new commitments each year (dependent upon level of DOD role and annual portfolio feasibility). Goals and performance are tracked through regular CRM updates, regular meetings, and biannual performance reviews.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate energy, enthusiasm, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented department, with a passion for liberal arts and professional education. They will be self-motivated, results-oriented, and able to set priorities and manage multiple deadlines. They will be driven to realize fundraising success in ways that benefit both the donor and Willamette University.

• Manage a portfolio of more than 100 individuals/households that are major and planned gift prospects, including qualification, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities
• Develop strategies for building successful relationships between prospects and Willamette to solicit and close gifts of $100,000 and above, including corresponding with and visiting prospects, donors, and their advisors
• Cultivate and solicit gifts to the Annual Fund as a test of capacity and inclination; collaborate thoughtfully and regularly with Annual Fund colleagues on the solicitation of portfolio prospects, securing unrestricted annual support for the University
• Travel as appropriate to fulfill duties, and maintain and submit timely reports on visits with prospects and donors
• Establish an annual travel plan, with an expectation of approximately 12–14 substantive prospect interactions per month
• Facilitate productive relationships between donors, senior administrators, and other staff to solicit individuals for high-level gifts in support of fundraising priorities as appropriate
• Qualify donors from a discovery pool with an emphasis on major gift donors
• Utilize engagement opportunities developed by academic units and University Relations to enhance qualification efforts
• Collaborate with staff in Advancement Strategy and Operations on timely and comprehensive updates to donor information, contact reports, proposal status, and annual goal setting

• Stewardship planning will be conducted in collaboration with Advancement colleagues and University leadership to ensure consistency with donor intent and institutional priorities
• Prepare gift agreements and stewardship plans in conjunction with Donor Relations and Stewardship
• Support University and Advancement events throughout the year with advanced notice, including significant support of signature events each year, such as Alumni Reunion
• Attend all staff meetings and select University events and programs
• Complete all administrative responsibilities promptly, including travel planning, monthly reconciliation of travel and other cultivation expenses, and annual planning and goal-setting activities

Computer Skills:  Experience working within a donor database preferred (Raiser’s Edge/NXT or similar).  Experience with the Google suite of office applications preferred.

• A thorough understanding of Willamette and the value of a private liberal arts education
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to analyze data
• Strong initiative, creativity, high energy level, and demonstrated ability to lead and motivate people
• Thorough knowledge of general office practices and procedures
• Ability to form productive working relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organization, including external constituents
• Ability to actively listen to donors and campus partners to identify areas of common interest and to develop a compelling case for the university
• Strong writing and editing skills, including a commitment to accuracy
• The ability to manage multiple tasks or projects simultaneously, prioritize work based on organizational goals, and proactively and creatively support the work of the Development Team
• An outstanding customer service demeanor, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to clearly and professionally communicate with all members of the Willamette community
• Proven ability to work autonomously
• Demonstrated collegial and collaborative approach to working in a team environment
• Ability to maintain confidential information, navigate relationships with finesse, and work to the highest ethical standards as outlined by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
• Attendance and punctuality
• A sense of humor and a positive, team-oriented attitude are highly valued. 
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for signature events and activities, including Alumni Reunion

Monday through Friday, 8 am–5 pm, with regular evening hours and flexibility required to accommodate donor schedules. Must be comfortable with frequent travel and occasional weekend commitments.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

Work is typically performed in a variety of environments, including on campus, in homes, offices, and at off-site locations during donor visits and events.

Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate with experience. We welcome applications from individuals who meet the minimum qualifications, as well as those whose experiences and skills exceed them. 

You will need to upload the following documents as part of your application materials in the "My Experience" section labeled Resume:

• Cover letter addressing the required/desired qualifications and presenting any other applicant characteristics which deserve emphasis (optional based on department/ position)

• Current Resume

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as received until the position is filled.  
 

Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Typical work schedule

BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENT:
All University positions require that candidates submit to a criminal conviction record check prior to hire. Conviction does not automatically preclude candidates from being hired. Nature of conviction will be considered relative to the duties of the position.
 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS:

Please read the following carefully before beginning the online application process. To be considered for employment at Willamette University, please complete our online employment application. Your application and all required attachments -- listed at the bottom of the page -- must be submitted for each individual job post that you are interested in applying. Once you submit your application you will not be able to edit your application.