Assistant Vice President, Advancement

University of Portland

Portland (OR)

On-site

USD 101,000 - 123,000

Full time

5 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Sick and vacation time

Tuition remission

Retirement contributions

Job summary

University of Portland seeks an Assistant Vice President for Advancement to provide strategic leadership for fundraising and donor engagement. This AVP oversees major gifts, planned giving, and donor stewardship while managing a high-performing advancement team and a personal portfolio.

The role reports to the Vice President for University Relations. Responsibilities include setting measurable fundraising goals with senior leadership, mentoring staff, and ensuring programs align with the

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; seven+ years of fundraising management experience.
Experience planning long- and short-term fundraising strategies across major, planned, and annual gifts.
Preferred: experience with constituent relations software (Raiser’s Edge) or similar CRM.

Responsibilities

Lead planning and implementation of long- and short-term fundraising strategies.
Maintain portfolio of principal, major, and planned gift prospects.
Mentor and supervise Advancement staff; manage budgets and performance.
Collaborate with senior leadership to set fundraising goals and programs.

Skills

Portfolio management

Donor engagement

Staff supervision

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Position Details

Job Title: Assistant Vice President, Advancement

Department: Development Office Administration

Job Code: A31200

Job category: Full Time Staff

Terms and Hours: Full Time Exempt

Salary Range: Starting at $112,000; commensurate with experience

Position Information

The Assistant Vice President for Advancement (AVP) provides strategic leadership for the university’s fundraising and donor engagement efforts. This role oversees the planning and execution of comprehensive advancement strategies, including major, planned, and principal giving programs, while maintaining a personal portfolio of high-capacity prospects. Additionally, the position mentors and manages Advancement staff, fosters strong relationships across the university community, and collaborates with senior leadership to set aspirational yet achievable fundraising goals. The AVP plays a key role in aligning advancement activities with the institution’s mission and long‑term objectives and reports to the Vice President for University Relations.

Core Duties

Lead the Advancement team in the planning and implementation of long‑and short‑term strategies to secure gifts from individuals and organizations through major, planned, and annual gifts. Work with the Vice President of University Relations to establish measurable goals to increase fundraising results that are both aspirational and achievable. Maintain a portfolio of principal, major and planned gift prospects. Ensure successful implementation of a planned giving program both by informing marketing and prospecting strategy as well as by personally soliciting and assisting in the solicitation of planned gift prospects. Work directly with the stewardship program to recognize donors in effective and meaningful ways. Provide direction and leadership for research and prospect management to ensure fundraising staff have the information they need to successfully engage with prospective donors. Mentor, train, and supervise University Relations Advancement staff. Supervisory responsibilities include hiring processes, setting of expectations, training and professional development, performance management and evaluations, and disciplinary processes including up to termination of employment. Develop strong positive relationships across the university community to establish the Office of University Relations as a major resource and coordinator for all university fundraising. In consultation with the Vice President and departmental staff, establish and adhere to annual operating budgets ensuring that advancement programs are operating in a fiscally prudent and productive way. Remain well‑informed of current best practices in the advancement profession and evaluate new and emerging ideas for potential implementation. Develop and administer policies related to fundraising and gift stewardship in collaboration with the Office of University Relations. 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.

Education & Experience

Required: Bachelor’s degree. Required: Seven or more years of direct management experience in fundraising, marketing, sales or related field. Required: Experience planning and implementing long‑and short‑term fundraising strategies across major, planned, and annual gifts. Preferred: Experience with constituent relations software (e.g. Raiser’s Edge) or similar CRMOr a combination of equivalent education and/or experience.

Certifications & Licenses

Preferred: Active Driver’s License

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

A commitment to the mission of University of Portland—to address significant questions of human concern through disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies of the arts, sciences, and humanities and through studies in majors and professional programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Ability to lead, grow, and enhance fundraising efforts in collaboration and coordination with internal and external stakeholders, preferably within a higher education environment. Ability to establish measurable goals to increase fundraising results that are both aspirational and achievable. Demonstrated management and supervisory skills inclusive of hiring, training, managing, mentoring, and supervising successful teams while helping individual staff excel in their work and grow professionally. Ability to manage a personal portfolio of high‑capacity prospects, serving as a successful frontline fundraiser and leading by example. Extensive knowledge of, and an ability to, strategically apply best practices and principles in the field of advancement tasks to be able to align people with the goals and objectives of the institution. Ability to function successfully in a fast‑paced work environment with dynamic priorities. Strong interpersonal skills and able to work independently, as well as collaboratively. Strong project management skills, including the ability to execute multiple and varied programs and events in service to a variety of audiences. Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to give presentations. Strong strategic planning skills with an understanding of tactical implementation. 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 inclusive excellence; 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.” 1 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.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number: S388‑2023

Required Documents