General Description 

Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) seeks a creative and experienced philanthropic professional to provide thoughtful leadership and strategic management of the Advancement department within University Relations.

The Associate Vice President for Advancement (AVPA) has responsibility for planning, organizing and executing the University’s major gifts and planned giving programs and reports to the Vice President of University Relations. This position serves as the team leader and supervisor for professional staff members dedicated to major gifts and planned giving philanthropy, and guides strategy development for a comprehensive donor engagement program. The AVP will be experienced as a principal gifts officer and will manage a focused portfolio of prospects in addition to providing professional staff with the coaching, support and tools they need to be successful.

As a member of the University Relations leadership team, the AVPA builds and enhances the culture of philanthropy at PLU, partnering with colleagues in University Relations and providing campaign leadership.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Hire, train, coach and evaluate Advancement staff, in consultation with the Vice President for University Relations.
• Create and execute short- and long-term fundraising plans for major gift donors in partnership with university leaders.
• Help lead the strategic planning and implementation for campaign-based fundraising.
• Work with each direct report to collaboratively set activity and solicitation goals and evaluate prospect development initiatives.
• Provide leadership in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of 35 to 50 leadership gift prospects.
• Provide primary leadership in planning and facilitating regular and campaign-specific gift planning meetings.
• Represent the university as a professional collaborator at public functions and events, including social and professional gatherings.
• Maintain familiarity with salient issues relating to higher education, fundraising and financial planning, showing an aptitude for thoughtful application and connection.
• Work closely with colleagues in Annual Giving to develop shared, complementary strategies.
• Assist in strategic recruitment of volunteers to serve as leaders, committee members and solicitors in advancing the philanthropic effort.
• Maintain professionalism when dealing with staff and donors, and in carrying out all responsibilities and objectives.
• Adhere to the policies and procedures established by Pacific Lutheran University and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethics.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Deep understanding of leadership and personal accomplishment in the field of higher-ed philanthropy, with particular focus on leadership and major donor giving.
• Deep understanding of relational fundraising with the ability to compellingly articulate University priorities and goals and align initiatives with donor priorities and goals.
• Strong knowledge of the donor engagement and the cultivation cycle.
• Ability to think strategically and comprehensively about data-driven fundraising strategy, as well as systematically analyze performance of engagement initiatives and revenue-generating activities.
• Ability to design, implement, and direct strategic fundraising and campaign initiatives.
• Understanding of estate planning techniques and gift planning methods in order to generate major gifts, both present and deferred, for the university.
• Strong written and verbal communication, ability to formulate compelling proposals, present information and strategies and correspond professionally with constituents.
• Ability to earn and maintain the confidence of internal and external constituents.
• Well-developed intercultural skills with a commitment to engaging diverse individuals and building a diverse and inclusive team.
• Knowledge of CRM systems and practices in the higher-ed sector.
• Ability to apply new technologies and theories in fundraising and grant development programs.
• Seasoned judgment, ability to make decisions, justify recommendations, and be responsive, clear and firm with colleagues and collaborators.
• Ability to adapt to a complex working environment in which influence is often exerted indirectly rather than through traditional chain of command hierarchies.
• Commitment to the mission, philosophy, and values of Pacific Lutheran University.
• Ability to travel within the U.S. up to 20% of the time.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Seven years of experience in fundraising and management
• Proven record of leadership and personal accomplishment in the field of higher-ed philanthropy, with particular focus on leadership and major donor giving.
• Experience partnering with senior and/or university leadership in donor engagement and stewardship strategies and activities.
• Experience designing, implementing and directing strategic fundraising and campaign initiatives.
• Experience with the application of new technologies and theories in fundraising and grant development programs.
• Finalist applicants must satisfactorily complete pre-employment background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• 10 years of experience in higher education resource development and management, preferably within a comparable university or college setting.
• Experience in Plus Delta Partners donor engagement process or similar discipline.