Senior Director of Development, Colleges of Arts & Sciences - University of Oregon

Another Source's client, University of Oregon, is recruiting a Senior Director of Development, College of Arts and Sciences to join their team in Eugene, Oregon. This is a fully onsite role when not focused on donor visits and external engagement, with an average of approximately one week of travel per month.

Here's a little about the University of Oregon: The University of Oregon (UO) is a flagship public research university known for its collaborative culture, innovation, and commitment to student success. Located in Eugene -a vibrant, nature-rich college town - UO serves more than 23,000 students and continues to grow its impact through academic excellence, research, and community engagement.

University Advancement plays a vital role in supporting UO's mission by building meaningful relationships and securing philanthropic support. Through partnerships with alumni and donors worldwide, the university advances scholarships, academic programs, and transformative initiatives.

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is the intellectual heart of the University of Oregon, encompassing a wide range of disciplines across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. As the university's largest and most academically diverse college, CAS plays a central role in driving research, fostering critical thinking, and delivering a comprehensive liberal arts education. With a strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and student success, the college prepares graduates to address complex global challenges while advancing knowledge and discovery.

Learn more about the College of Arts and Sciences: https://cas.uoregon.edu/

• Learn more about University Advancement: https://advancement.uoregon.edu/

About this role: As the Senior Director of Development for the College of Arts and Sciences, you will play a pivotal leadership role in advancing philanthropic support for a leading public research university. You will serve as a senior leader within University Advancement, driving major and leadership gift strategy in support of the College of Arts and Sciences and other key units under the Office of the Provost. You will partner closely with academic and advancement leadership to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward high-level donors, while managing a portfolio of major ($100K+) and leadership ($1M+) prospects.

You will lead and mentor a team of fundraisers, setting strategy, guiding performance, and building long-term development plans that support ambitious fundraising outcomes. As a highly collaborative and externally facing leader, you will regularly engage with donors, alumni, and stakeholders, requiring both strategic thinking and strong relationship management.

In this role, you will shape long-term vision, elevate team success, and personally secure significant gifts, including seven-figure commitments. This is an ideal opportunity for a seasoned advancement leader who is equally energized by building strategy and delivering results.

Your Contribution Will Likely Include:

Fundraising & Strategy

• Manage a dynamic portfolio of major ($100K+) and leadership ($1M+) gift prospects, driving all phases of the donor lifecycle from identification through stewardship

• Develop and execute comprehensive, individualized strategies to cultivate, solicit, and close significant gifts aligned with institutional priorities

• Partner with the Assistant Vice President to shape and implement fundraising strategies for the College of Arts and Sciences and other assigned units

• Build and continuously refine a robust major gift pipeline through proactive prospect identification and qualification in partnership with Prospect Development and Analytics

• Collaborate across advancement functions-including regional philanthropy, parent and family programs, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, and principal gifts-to maximize philanthropic outcomes

• Travel regularly to engage donors and prospects and advance key fundraising initiatives, with primary travel concentrated in California, Oregon, and Washington

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, manage, and inspire a team of major gift officers, setting clear expectations and driving performance against ambitious fundraising goals

• Establish team strategy and annual targets in partnership with senior leadership, aligning efforts with broader campaign and institutional priorities

• Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and professional development to build team capacity and support career growth

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and inclusivity, ensuring team members feel supported and empowered

• Model strong leadership practices, including clear communication, ethical decision-making, and effective people management

Collaboration & Institutional Partnership

• Serve as a strategic liaison between University Advancement and academic leadership, aligning fundraising efforts with school/unit priorities

• Build strong, trust-based relationships with deans, faculty, and campus partners to advance a shared vision for philanthropy

• Collaborate across advancement teams to coordinate donor strategies, share insights, and ensure a seamless donor experience

• Represent the university externally with credibility and professionalism, effectively articulating its mission, impact, and funding priorities

• Contribute to long-term (3-5 year) development planning, integrating campaign goals, unit priorities, and institutional strategy

What you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

• 5+ years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including closing at least one seven-figure gift or equivalent

• 3+ years of management experience, including direct supervision or leadership of advancement efforts

• Demonstrated success securing major and leadership-level gifts

• Strong leadership and coaching skills, with the ability to develop and mentor fundraising professionals

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders

• Strategic mindset with experience developing long-term fundraising plans

• Ability to navigate complex organizations and collaborate across teams

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree

• 10+ years of development experience

• 5+ years of major gift experience

• Significant experience in higher education fundraising

• Experience working with volunteer boards

What's in it for you:

• Salary: $120,000-$140,000 annually

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, retirement plans, and generous paid time off

Learn more about benefits here: https://hr.uoregon.edu/benefits

Commitment to Equity & Inclusion: The University of Oregon is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. University Advancement actively works to create a welcoming, respectful culture that values the contributions and perspectives of all individuals.

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.

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