Now Hiring - Education Senior Associate Director of Development, Foundation Relations in Eugene, OR

Department: University Advancement
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $65,000 - $80,000 per year
Compensation Band: OS-OA08-Fiscal Year 2[please apply online]
FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

February 6, 2023; position open until filled.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit the following with your online application:
A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job announcement. A resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Please Note: We may contact applicants who meet the minimum requirements in the job posting to request additional information for the next stage of review.

Department Summary

University Advancement (UA) supports the University of Oregon’s (UO) mission of providing exceptional teaching, discovery, and service by strategically positioning the university to create awareness, build long-term relationships, and secure resources that increase understanding and further its aims. The division consists of approximately 200 employees primarily working out of Eugene, with offices in Portland and Bend. We are committed to fostering equity and inclusion in a welcoming, safe, and respectful environment that recognizes the value of all members of our community.

The Office of Development as part of University Advancement has a mission to maximize philanthropic impact at the University of Oregon. We do this by identifying, connecting, and engaging alumni and friends around the globe with their passions to advance the vision and priorities of the university.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director of Foundation Relations (senior director), the Senior Associate Director of Development, Foundation Relations (senior associate director) works as part of Development to promote university fundraising priorities and image to philanthropic foundations whose giving priorities align with the university. The Senior Associate Director is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of private foundations with the capacity to make grants of $25,000 and above. This position assists multiple schools and units across campus, manages a portfolio of private foundations, and responds to queries from members of the UO community (Advancement colleagues, faculty, administrators, etc.) regarding opportunities with private foundations that may exist outside the portfolio. This position will prioritize developing proposals to foundation prospects with the capacity to make awards larger than $100K.

The Senior Associate Director manages the stewardship/reporting calendar for specific foundations and organizations at the University of Oregon. This position writes grant reports and ensures that others are written by the appropriate individuals (faculty, staff, etc.). The Senior Associate Director is responsible for establishing effective working relationships with school/unit fundraisers, deans, and faculty and administrative staff of the university to accomplish fundraising goals. This position works closely with faculty and staff in the behavioral and social science disciplines, the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health, the Prevention Science Institute, the College of Education, and the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation to identify opportunities to partner with private foundations.

The Senior Associate Director develops and maintains administrative processes that help track gifts and grants from foundation sponsors that contribute to overall University Advancement fundraising goals. The position works closely with staff in the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation to identify funding opportunities at foundations and alert faculty and staff in relevant academic and research units. This includes collaborating to manage limited submission opportunities.

This position is externally facing, requiring occasional travel and direct contact with foundation donors. The Senior Associate Director works collaboratively with colleagues in Development and across the university to identify new prospects and strategically cultivate and increase foundation relationships. The Senior Associate Director is responsible for meeting fundraising goals as they relate to the strategic needs of the University of Oregon. Performance as measured against these goals is evaluated annually.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent combination of skills and experience.
• Two years of professional or volunteer experience in development or fundraising OR five years of experience writing professionally on behalf of an organization or institution.

Professional Competencies

• Ability to identify viable funding opportunities through building and maintaining relationships with foundation staff and connecting those staff with key constituents within the university.
• Ability to leverage staff expertise to help develop strategies for reaching and engaging with private foundations and regularly use Advance database and other tools to find and update foundation relations strategies and communication.
• Ability to establish collaborative working relationships with unit leadership and faculty, fundraising colleagues and support staff and maintain professionalism when working with others.
• Ability to make a persuasive verbal and written case for supporting key programs and projects, effectively matching the programmatic and mission goals of private foundations with specific university needs; ability to maintain core campus relationships and familiarity with industry best practices in foundation relations.
• Ability to navigate mid- to major-level grant/gift opportunities by initiating and cultivating relationships with foundations, integrating the successes of other units into one’s own program and pipeline.
• Ability to contribute to overall strategic planning for foundation relations as led by the Senior Director of Foundation Relations.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills and a strong sense of mission-driven customer service.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office software suite; preference for familiarity with development or sales databases.
• Ability to interact, communicate, and work effectively with individuals, recognizing and respecting the many and varied identities of each person.
• Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to travel (infrequently).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with private grant-making foundations or organizations.
• Fundraising experience in a university/college environment.
• Master’s degree or another advanced degree.
• If work experience is in a non-development field, preference will be given to those with relevant experience in the development field.

FLSA Exempt: Yes

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background inquiry.

University of Oregon students and employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For additional information see: [please apply online]

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit [please apply online]

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at [please apply online] or 541-[please apply online].

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at [please apply online]