Job Details

Position Details

Position Information

Job Title
Major Gift Officer

Department
Planned Giving & Major Gifts

Job Code
A31301

Job category
Full Time Staff

Terms and Hours
Full Time Exempt

Salary Range
Starting salary at $80,000; commensurate with experience and portfolio scope

Job Summary

The University of Portland is an independently governed Catholic university guidedby the Congregation of Holy Cross, committed to educating the whole person through excellence in teaching and learning, faith and formation, and service and leadership. The University is seeking an experienced fundraiser to advance the mission during a pivotal comprehensive campaign-connecting donors to opportunities that expand access to education, strengthen academic excellence, and extend UP's impact. The Major Gift Officer will partner with inspiring academic and institutional leaders that best align with the candidate's skills, values and fundraising approach to secure philanthropic support that makes a tangible difference in students' lives and the broader community.

The Major Gift Officer is responsible for securing significant philanthropic support by managing a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects. This role collaborates closely with the Assistant Vice President of Advancement to execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies aligned with campaign priorities and broader institutional goals. Working independently and in close partnership with academic leaders, campus partners and advancement leadership, the Major Gift Officer builds long-term donor relationships that result in sustained, impactful giving. This role reports directly to the Assistant Vice President of Advancement.

Core Duties

• Partner with the Associate Vice President for Advancement and University Relations leadership to design and execute an integrated major gifts strategy for an academic unit, aligned with institutional and campaign priorities.
• Serve as the primary strategic fundraising partner to an Academic Dean, leading donor strategy and dean engagement by setting priorities, preparing high-level briefings and proposals, and planning and staffing joint donor meetings in support of six- and seven-figure solicitations.
• Generate new leads and qualify gift prospects and planned gifts from research, prospect tracking tools, donor base, faculty networks and fundraising colleagues.
• Maintain a rigorous activity standard of 12-15 substantive personal visits per month with alumni, donors, and prospects, focused on securing major gifts and leadership-level annual commitments.
• Execute "moves" system for a dedicated group of constituents, including donors, alumni, parents, and friends.
• Regularly evaluate and assess progress toward goals, and report on results.
• When appropriate, solicit leadership annual gifts.
• Adhere to stewardship of existing and new gifts.
• Utilize and track donor/prospect information within the current data management system.
• Create targeted donor proposals in coordination with other members of University Relations and other campus departments.
• Facilitate donor relationships including, but not limited to, trip management, staffing principal level donor meetings, consistent outreach to current and lapsed donors, and the facilitation of donor requests and information.
• Collaborate with the University Relations staff and other campus departments to identify mid-level donors for gift upgrades.
• Participate in scheduled check-ins and regular strategy meetings.
• Commit to travel and off-site meetings on a weekly basis and attend weekend and evening events as needed.

Other duties as relevant to the duties of the position or as assigned by supervisor or designee.

Please note that the above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position's purview and responsibility.

Education & Experience

• Required: Bachelor's degree and 5 to 7 years of direct fundraising experience.
• Required: Proven experience of securing six and seven figure gifts.
• Preferred: Experience with constituent relations software (e.g. Raiser's Edge) or similar CRM
• Or equivalent education and/or experience.

Certifications & Licenses

• Preferred: Active Driver's License

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong project management skills, including the ability to execute multiple and varied programs and events in service to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences through means including but not limited to, interpersonal settings, large groups, written and through social media.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to give presentations.
• Strong strategic planning skills with an understanding of tactical implementation.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to set priorities.
• Strong organization and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Effective ability to synthesize information and key initiatives to share with various audiences.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse working and learning environment.
• Competence with and commitment to diversity and inclusion; ability to be an effective partner with diverse students, faculty, and staff.
• Professional demeanor and ability to establish effective working relationships, professional rapport, and effectively accomplish work within a University setting that includes a wide array of individuals, groups, policies, and processes. Ability to work effectively with various constituencies including the general public, faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni, and other members of the University community.
• Effective ability to use and learn computers, technology, software, and applications at level of sophistication required for the duties of the position, including, without limitation, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), the internet, and constituent relations software (e.g. Raiser's Edge).

Physical Requirements

• Frequently: sit, perform desk-based computer tasks; use fine manipulation and grasp; use a telephone; write by hand; sort and file paperwork.
• Occasionally: stand and walk; twist; lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 25 pounds.
• Occasionally: ability to attend events and activities on or off campus.
• Frequently: ability to interact and communicate with members of the University and other audiences.
• Occasionally: travel locally and domestically by car and air.

Working Conditions

• Hours of employment: sometimes may require working flexible and/or longer hours, including evenings, nights, and weekends, when necessitated by projects and travel.
• Stress from work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.

Work Standards

• Respect for the University's mission and Catholic identity: demonstrates commitment to learning, respecting, and contributing to the mission of the University, a Catholic and Congregation of Holy Cross institution. The University's mission statement states in relevant part: "we pursue teaching and learning, faith and formation, service and leadership in the classroom, residence halls, and the world." The University's Statement of Inclusion states in relevant part: "Our belief in the inherent dignity of each person is founded upon the social teaching of the Catholic Church. At the center of that teaching is the fundamental mandate that every person, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social or economic class, age, or disability shall be treated with respect and dignity."
  • The full Mission Statement is at: www.up.edu/about/mission.
  • The full Statement of Inclusion is at: www.up.edu/disclosures/inclusion.
• Promote culture of safety: demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Compliance with laws and policies and procedures: subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University, departmental, and other applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to, the personnel, business, and/or other policies of the University.
• Compliance with driving-related laws and requirements: when conducting university business while driving, must comply with the Oregon Vehicle Code and University of Portland driving requirements.
• Interpersonal skills: demonstrates the ability to work professionally with all University of Portland community members, external organizations, and any other person or organization employee interacts with in his or her University capacity.

Benefits

Medical and dental insurance, life insurance, sick time and vacation time consistent with University policies, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account benefits, tuition remission benefits generally starting after 90 days (employee) or 2 years (spouse and children) of employment, retirement contributions generally starting after 2 years of employment, and eligibility for the University's home purchase assistance program consistent with program requirements. (Benefits are subject to all relevant University policies, practices, contracts, and any other relevant materials.)

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
S354-2023

Number of Vacancies
1

Estimated Start Date

Open Date

Close Date

Open Until Filled
No

Special Instructions Summary