Portland State University’s 44-acre downtown campus—with its hundreds of educational and community programs—is one of the key urban institutions that will spark our city’s revitalization. It is no exaggeration to say that our city’s future and vitality depends on PSU students and alumni, more than 150,000 of whom live and work in the metropolitan area.
PSU is one of the most diverse institutions of education in the state, with more than half of its incoming first-year class identifying as BIPOC. Nearly a quarter of its students are parents. Half are the first in their family to attend college. When PSU graduates enter the workforce, families transform, communities prosper, innovation expands, and our economy grows.
There are lots of jobs in development out there. But if you are a nonprofit leader committed to changing what is possible for our city and driving in tangible ways toward equitable success and justice for diverse communities, then there is no more meaningful place to bring your talents and your passion than the PSU Foundation. We are a team of colleagues dedicated to advancing PSU’s vital mission and supporting one another’s achievement and learning.
The Opportunity
The Vice President for Development is a big-picture thinker, strategist, talent developer, collaborator, connector, analyst, storyteller and champion for DEI and belonging. In partnership with the PSUF President, the VP of Development formulates fundraising goals and objectives, coaches’ staff, and collaboratively builds the infrastructure to strengthen and expand Portland State’s donor base and advance its fundraising goals.
The VP leads the development department, including frontline fundraisers; planned giving and principal-gift fundraisers; and the annual giving, research and prospect management, corporate and foundation relations teams.
The VP is also a key data and trends analyst who works with staff, stakeholders and collaborators across PSU and the PSU Foundation to understand challenges and opportunities, and to chart progress toward shared goals.
The VP is a contributing member of the PSU Foundation Senior Leadership Team, which sets strategic direction and oversees operations for the organization. In this role, the VP works closely with the PSU Foundation Board of Trustees and serves as a staff lead for a variety of committees.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Provide strategic oversight and execution of annual and multi-year plans to meet PSU fundraising objectives.
- In collaboration with principal and planned giving staff, manage a portfolio of prospects capable of making six-figure and greater gift commitments.
- Work closely with the PSUF Board and academic leadership to develop and advance proposals in support of fundraising priorities.
- Be the visionary strategist on campaign planning and execution, and lead a campaign team of internal and external stakeholders.
- Ensure development operations and procedures (e.g. managing prospect funnels, contact reporting, and prospect reporting) are followed to the highest standard.
- Identify and maximize opportunities to positively position the University with key constituencies.
- Provide high-level support, as appropriate, for Trustees, University leadership, and senior colleagues, in their development activities.
- Lead the development and implementation of change management strategies that align with the Foundation’s fundraising, campaign goals and strategic plan.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to build data sources, manage data quality, and create real-time analytical capabilities to drive fundraising success.
- Embrace and articulate the mission and culture of PSU and possess a strong working knowledge of its programs, services and departments.
- Serve as a leader and mentor to development staff in all areas of fundraising, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewarding an ongoing funnel of current and potential donors.
- Provide assistance to frontline fundraisers in strategizing major gifts and key corporate and foundation partnerships.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisor Responsibilities
- Lead and motivate a team of 30-35 staff members, directly supervising 6-8 individuals.
- Build authentic relationships with staff and invest in their professional development and growth.
- Create learning and development opportunities for the team based on identified needs and passions.
- Serve as a champion of PSUF culture and participate in organizational initiatives and change that promote culture making and building.
- Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies.
- Hire and train staff; plan, assign, and direct work; conduct regular performance evaluations and address complaints or performance issues.
Education & Experience Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- At least 15+ years relevant fundraising experience (higher education or other complex institutional setting preferred).
- Demonstrated experience in all levels of giving, campaigns and alumni relations, corporate and foundations solicitations, including specific frontline fundraising experience/portfolio management.
- Proven experience using data analytics to drive fundraising success.
- At least six years of supervisory experience.
- Knowledge of Portland’s donor community preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze processes and information to identify trends, challenges, opportunities, solutions and strategies.
- Ability to make strong decisions that are organization-focused, and have a positive impact.
- Proven track record of effectively leading people and managing the intricacies of a dynamic organization.
- Ability to plan/organize and lead team meetings. Communicate information clearly and efficiently in group settings, allowing for collaboration and innovative thinking.
- Ability to identify and troubleshoot problems or find an effective and efficient work-around.
- Experience working successfully and effectively with, and in support of, diverse populations including members of LGBTQ+ communities, culturally and racially diverse individuals, and people with disabilities.
- Proven experience building and maintaining relationships with necessary stakeholders, both internal and external to the organization and at every level.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Requirements
- Understand the importance of confidentiality and know when information of the highest level requires the utmost care and discretion.
- Proven experience managing and leading projects from start to finish and can handle managing and coordinating people to deliver effectively.
- Demonstrated computer proficiency, including experience using Microsoft Office, Google Applications, DocuSign and other paperless management tools.
- Demonstrate reliable, regular, and predictable work attendance.
- Self-motivated and require little guidance to tackle projects, tasks and priorities.
- Ability to create and collaborate within an equitable and inclusive team environment, and to communicate effectively within the context of diverse behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
Other Essential Information
- Department: Development
- Work Days/Hours: Full Time, 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday
- Work Type: We currently have a hybrid work model at the PSU Foundation. This position will be required to work at least 24 hours/week on Portland State University campus and the remainder of the work week may be worked remotely in Oregon or Washington.
Compensation and Benefits
- Annual Compensation: $160,000-$190,000 (depending on experience)
- Full Time Employee Benefits: We are proud to say that we have one of the leading benefit packages for Nonprofit organizations in Oregon. Highlights of our benefits package includes:
- 100% employer paid medical coverage on our “base-plan” for employee coverage. Two additional buy-up plans are offered.
- 34 days of paid time off every year available after a 90-day initial employment period
- 11 company paid holidays
- Up to 12% employer contributions to an eligible employee’s 401(k) plan
- Employer paid Long Term Disability and Life Insurance coverage
- Portland State University affiliated employee benefits
- For a full list of our awesome full-time employee benefits, please visit: https://www.psuf.org/careers
PSU Foundation is an EEO employer. To learn more about the foundation, our strategic direction and our financial impacts, please visit: https://www.psuf.org/about-psu-foundation
Ready to apply? Please visit www.psuf.org/careers to submit a formal application, resume and cover letter with us.