Associate Director of Development - Athletics

Portland State University Foundation; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 66,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4 Day Work Week

Full benefits package

100% employer-paid medical

Job summary

Portland State University Foundation seeks an Associate Director of Development, Athletics to manage a high-impact donor portfolio and advance gifts supporting PSU Athletics. You will qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors using data-driven outreach across digital and in-person channels while collaborating with Foundation colleagues and campus partners.

The role requires 4+ years of fundraising, a Bachelor's degree, and fluency with fundraising systems, CRM, and AI-enabled tools.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of progressively responsible fundraising experience including success in securing gifts of $25K+
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Technical fluency with fundraising systems and tools
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, CRM platforms; ability to leverage AI-enabled tools to improve productivity

Responsibilities

• Lead a dynamic portfolio of athletics donors and prospects across cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Develop and execute solicitation strategies for Athletics priorities in collaboration with PSU Foundation partners
• Attend events and donor engagements; travel up to 15% regionally as needed
• Coordinate with campus partners to align fundraising strategy with Athletics priorities
• Manage Athletics annual giving clubs and initiatives; meet new donor and retention goals

Skills

Donor cultivation

Portfolio management

CRM systems

Data-driven outreach

Technology fluency

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

CRM platforms

AI-enabled tools

Job description

About Us

Portland State University (PSU) Foundation fuels the mission and priorities of Oregon’s most diverse, innovative, and affordable research university by raising and stewarding philanthropic gifts that transform lives and communities.

Recognized as one of Oregon’s best non-profits to work for five years in a row, we are a community of purpose-driven professionals who lead with heart, act with trust, and keep our mission forward in everything we do. Guided by creativity and collaboration, we foster a strong sense of belonging—empowering every team member to show up authentically and think boldly.

At PSU, more than half of incoming first-year students identify as BIPOC, nearly a quarter are parents, and half are the first in their families to attend college. When PSU graduates thrive, families transform, communities prosper, and innovation expands. The PSU Foundation plays a vital role in advancing this impact by inspiring donors, engaging alumni and community partners, and stewarding resources to Portland State University with integrity and purpose.

About The Role

The Associate Director of Development, Athletics is responsible for managing a portfolio of annual, special and major gift donors and prospects, with responsibility for advancing philanthropic relationships that result in increased engagement and revenue in support of Portland State University Athletics. The Associate Director of Development will also work collaboratively to support planning and implementing solicitation strategies for Athletics priorities.

Building on disciplined fundraising experience, this role demonstrates consistent execution of donor strategy, consistent use of CRM systems, and sound fundraising judgment, with an increased expectation to expand the Athletics donor funnel and drive new donor acquisition. The Associate Director uses data to inform outreach strategies across digital and in person channels to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, while collaborating closely with Foundation colleagues and campus partners. This role is responsible for collaboratively driving strategy of Athletics-specific annual giving clubs and initiatives.

This role regularly attends Athletics games and events and collaborates on strategic donor and alumni engagement tactics.

This position regularly works with the PSU Athletics Director, coaches and staff, and Foundation colleagues to align fundraising strategy with Athletics priorities.

Position Overview

• Manages a High-Impact Portfolio: Leads a dynamic portfolio of special and major gift donors and prospects, ensuring strategic qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Maintains accountability for achieving individual fundraising goals while fostering trust and collaboration across teams.

• Drives Strategic, Cross-Functional Collaboration: Contributes to complex, cross-organizational initiatives—including annual planning and goal-setting.

• Represents PSUF at Events: Attends, actively participates in and supports athletics and development-related events, serving as a positive ambassador for the university and fostering a sense of community and belonging among stakeholders.

• Occasional travel is required (15% or less) - most travel is regional in scope requiring travel by driving.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Measurements of Success

• Meet or exceed frontline fundraising metrics, including, but not limited to, face-to-face visits, submitted/funded proposals, individual and unit fundraising.

• Effective management of portfolio of prospects through all phases of the donor cultivation cycle, with special emphasis on cultivating and soliciting gifts of $25,000 or more.

• Effective relationship management both internally with PSU partners/units and externally with donors/prospects.

• Manage Athletics annual giving clubs, programs and initiatives, and meet or exceed new donor and donor retention goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• 4+ years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including proven success in securing gifts of $25K+.

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant area, or equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.

• Technical fluency in fundraising systems and tools.

• Proficiency with commonly used workplace technologies, including Microsoft Office, SharePoint, CRM platforms, and other cloud-based collaboration and document management tools; demonstrated ability to leverage emerging technologies (including AI-enabled tools) to enhance productivity, accuracy, and overall work quality.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in an inclusive, equitable, and respectful environment, collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences.

• Commitment to fostering a positive and collaborative workplace culture through active engagement with colleagues, open communication, and alignment with organizational values and culture initiatives.

• Demonstrate reliable, regular, and predictable work attendance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education or for a large complex non-profit organization.

• Familiarity with collegiate Athletics departments and programs.

• Demonstrated success fundraising in higher education for a large public institution with complex matrix-ed environment.

• Working knowledge of Asana or similar project management tools.

• Working knowledge of Portland’s donor community.

Compensation & Benefits

Our compensation philosophy reflects our commitment to pay equity, transparency, and valuing the contributions of every team member.

• Hiring Range: $66,000 – 75,000 per year

• Offers are determined based on a candidate’s skills, experience, and qualifications, while ensuring internal pay equity.

• 4-Day Workweek:

• As part of our commitment to wellness and workplace culture, we’ve transitioned to a 4-day workweek—an innovative shift that reflects our values and promotes balance across our team. Business operations are closed on Fridays, supporting work-life balance and recognizing the value of your time.

• Top-Tier Benefits:
• We offer one of Oregon’s leading nonprofit benefits packages, designed to support the well-being of employees and their families.Full-timeemployeebenefitsinclude:
• 4 Day Work Week, with business operations closed on Fridays
• 100% employer-paid medical coverage on our base plan
• 95% employer-paid dental and vision coverage
• Up to 27 days of paid time off plus 10 paid holidays, including one floating holiday
• Up to 12% employer contribution to eligible 401(k) plans after applicable waiting periods
• Employer-paid Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Portland State University affiliated employee benefits, including tuition discount

If you enjoy being part of a collaborative results-driven team and making a difference in our community, we encourage you to apply, even if you believe you don't meet all of the requirements listed. Studies have shown that individuals with marginalized identities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification in the job description. Our priority is finding the best candidate for the role, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds. PSU Foundation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.