Job No. 156239
- Job Title:
- Director of Development
- Employer:
-
Willamette University
- Location:
-
Salem , OR
- Posting Date:
- 22-Aug-2025
- Description:
-
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.
Willamette is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Willamette recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. For more, see Willamette’s Diversity and Inclusion Statement.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Portfolio Management (85%)
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
Engagement, Stewardship, and Administrative Work (10%)
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
Other Duties As Assigned (5%)
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor’s Degree required; gift planning certification or demonstrated experience in a gift planning position preferred
Experience: Minimum of five years of fundraising or related experience with a solid understanding of fundraising principles and methodologies. Preference will be given to candidates with higher education experience. Proven track record of achieving fundraising goals and initiatives.
Computer Skills: Experience working within a donor database preferred (Raiser’s Edge/NXT or similar). Experience with the Google suite of office applications preferred.
Applicants should have
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