Job Type

Full-time

Description

Recruitment Period: 07/30/2026 - Until Filled

Status: Full-Time, 40 hours/week

Salary Information: Annual Minimum Salary-$67,200-Annual Maximum Salary-$107,500
Hiring Rate: $32.31-$41.97 Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Pro-rated based on hours/week.

General Summary:

Director of Advancement - Major Gifts reports directly to the Executive Director of Advancement and plays a pivotal role in advancing the university's mission by securing transformative philanthropic contributions. This role involves identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors to achieve ambitious fundraising goals, including securing six- and seven-figure gifts. The successful candidate will manage a portfolio of high-value prospects through personalized outreach, relationship-building, and strategic solicitation efforts, leveraging deep insights into donor motivations and philanthropic trends.

Essential Job Functions:
• Strategic Planning: Collaborate with the development leadership team to design and implement major gift fundraising strategies that align with organizational objectives.
• Portfolio Management: Maintain and manage a portfolio of major donor prospects, leveraging CRM tools such as Raiser's Edge to track interactions, progress, and giving potential.
• Prospect Identification & Research: Conduct detailed research to identify prospective donors with significant philanthropic potential and develop tailored engagement strategies.
• Relationship Building: Establish and nurture meaningful relationships with major donors through regular communication, in-person meetings, and customized engagement plans.
• Cultivation & Solicitation: Develop compelling proposals that clearly articulate the university's mission and impact. Lead solicitation efforts to secure major gifts, achieving annual fundraising targets of $1M-$2.5M in countable gifts.
• Leadership Engagement: Partner with board members, the president, deans, and program leads to identify, engage, and secure commitments from high-value donors.
• Event Management: Participate in, and occasionally lead, special events designed to cultivate, engage, and solicit major donors.
• Donor Stewardship: Implement robust stewardship plans to acknowledge and thank donors, keep them informed of gift impact, and foster ongoing engagement and loyalty.
• Performs other related duties as assigned and based on departmental need.

Requirements

Education:
• Required: Bachelor's Degree OR an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential functions of the position

Experience:
• Required: 1-3 years relevant experience

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build genuine rapport with high-net-worth individuals; strong understanding of fundraising principles, best practices, and moves management; demonstrated success in securing six and seven-figure gifts; excellent organizational and time management abilities, with a proven capacity to manage multiple priorities; strong listening skills; ability to work in a team and flexibility to work with others in a variety of circumstances; ability to solve problems by analyzing issues and creating action plans; ability to work with and manage different computer programs and databases; and ability to schedule activities and/or meetings

To ensure full consideration submit:
• A letter of introduction outlining background and qualifications for the position
• Detailed resume
• Contact information for three professional references

The job announcement above is not the full job description but represents the job responsibilities and requirements. A full job description can be provided upon request.

PNWU offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees first of the month following date of hire and competitive salary.

Benefit Package (benefit eligible is at least .5 FTE) :

• Health Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 403b with Roth Option
• Paid Holidays

For information about life in Yakima visit our PNWU page.