Vice President of Advancement, WesternU Oregon
Job Summary
Reporting to the Office of the President, the Vice President (VP) for Advancement is a key member of the University Advancement leadership team in Oregon and plays a critical role in shaping strategic decisions that impact fundraising. The VP provides administrative oversight in Oregon for major gifts, planned giving, and corporate and foundation fundraising, while fostering a collaborative team culture and establishing clear metrics for success.
The VP will lead by example, maintaining a portfolio of top prospective donors and serving as a principal gifts officer with an initial fundraising goal of $500,000. This includes cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding donors capable of making transformational contributions. The VP will drive gifts for both general university purposes and designated priorities such as schools, institutes, and campaign initiatives, and will be instrumental in securing lead donor support during the readiness and pre-launch phases of university campaigns.
Additionally, the VP will ensure the success of multiple fundraising projects, develop annual goals for Directors of Development, and work closely with college deans to secure and sustain support from alumni, friends, employees, corporations, businesses, and foundations. The VP will also create solicitation and stewardship plans for assigned prospects to strengthen long-term donor relationships.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Major Gift Mastery & Moves Management: Proven ability to close major/principal gifts; maintain a rigorous, data‑driven moves management process and high‑activity cadence.
- Strategic Fundraising & Alignment: Expertise in building and executing fundraising plans aligned with institutional priorities, academic program needs, and campaign goals.
- Comprehensive Advancement Knowledge: Broad understanding of individual, corporate, and foundation fundraising; donor relations, stewardship, alumni engagement, and pipeline development.
- Leadership & Collaboration: Ability to lead through influence, mentor volunteers/staff, and partner effectively with deans, faculty, and senior administrators to advance fundraising outcomes.
- Advanced Communication: Exceptional written, oral, and interpersonal skills; persuasive proposal writing; skilled in donor meetings and executive‑level briefings.
- Project & Portfolio Management: Ability to work independently, prioritize across multiple initiatives, manage complex projects, and deliver results against ambitious goals.
- Data & Systems Proficiency: Skilled with advancement CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, RENXT, Banner) and productivity tools; comfortable analyzing metrics and translating insights into action.
- Ethics, Confidentiality, and Compliance: Commitment to CASE‑aligned ethical standards, Donor Bill of Rights, and confidentiality requirements, including FERPA and HIPAA.
- Analytical & Critical Thinking: Strong organizational, analytical, and decision‑making skills; adept at identifying risks, solving problems, and optimizing processes.
- Digital Fundraising & Integrated Campaigns: Familiarity with online giving, email, social media, and content strategies that enhance donor acquisition, retention, and stewardship.
- Informed Donor Engagement: Ability to engage diverse donor communities with cultural competence and inclusive practices that reflect WesternU’s values.
- Bring Your Best Self to Work: Consistently demonstrate respect, compassion, and integrity in interactions with colleagues, donors, and partners; foster a positive, collaborative, and inclusive workplace culture.
- Demonstrate a commitment to working in an organization that values and promotes humanism.
- Sustain a pioneering culture of bold innovation, courage, and passion. Display a collaborative mindset in how we operate, educate, and serve others. Achieve excellence in all we do.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree required.
Experience:
8–10+ years of progressive fundraising experience in higher education, healthcare, or a comparably complex nonprofit organization.
Proven track record of setting and achieving ambitious fundraising goals.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Master’s degree.
Classification Pay Scale
Expected Pay Scale
Minimum: $150,000.00 Annually
Maximum: $160,000.00 Annually
Posting Number: A00975
Campus:
Department: 5501-External Relations
Posting Date: 02/10/2026
Closing Date: 2/10/2027
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