Senior Associate Director of Development, California and Hawaii Region - University of Oregon

Another Source's client, University of Oregon, is recruiting a Senior Associate Director of Development (California and Hawai'i) to join their team in Eugene or Portland, OR two days per week onsite.

The role is expected to average approximately one week of travel per month (about 10 trips annually), with the majority of time focused on regional development efforts, including cultivating and stewarding relationships to achieve market saturation.

This position will primarily focus in: San Diego, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Long Beach, Newport Beach.

Here's a little about the University of Oregon:

The University of Oregon (UO) is a flagship public research institution known for its strong sense of community, innovation, and impact. Located in Eugene - a vibrant college town surrounded by natural beauty - UO serves more than 23,000 students and is recognized for its commitment to student success, interdisciplinary research, and public service.

University Advancement plays a critical role in advancing UO’s mission by building meaningful relationships with alumni and supporters around the world. Through strategic engagement and philanthropy, the university is fueling scholarships, academic excellence, and transformative initiatives that shape the future.

Regional Philanthropy at the University of Oregon plays a critical role in expanding the university’s reach and impact beyond campus by building meaningful relationships with alumni and donors across key geographic markets. Through a regionally focused approach, the team connects donors to opportunities that support student success, scholarships, academic programs, and university-wide priorities. By partnering closely with campus leadership and advancement colleagues, Regional Philanthropy drives engagement and philanthropic investment that strengthens the university’s presence and impact across the Northwest and Southwest regions.

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

About this role:

As the Senior Associate Director of Development, you will play a critical role in building the future pipeline of major gift donors for the University of Oregon. This is an ideal opportunity for a relationship-driven fundraiser who enjoys identifying new prospects, growing donor engagement, and helping move individuals along the path to transformational giving.

In this role, you will manage a portfolio focused on discovery and early-stage donors, cultivating relationships and securing gifts in the $25K–$100K range while building toward a major gift ($100K ) portfolio. You will lead all aspects of the donor lifecycle—from identification and qualification to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship—partnering closely with colleagues across University Advancement to align donor interests with institutional priorities.

This is a highly external-facing role requiring frequent travel and proactive outreach. You will work across a regional model, engaging alumni, parents, and friends of the university while contributing to broader fundraising strategy and pipeline development efforts.

This role is ideal for a motivated fundraiser who thrives on building relationships, enjoys working in a fast-paced environment, and is excited about developing donors into long-term philanthropic partners. You will play a key role in strengthening the university’s donor pipeline while gaining experience that prepares you for future major gift leadership roles.

Your Contribution Will Likely Include:

Fundraising & Pipeline Development

• Manage a portfolio of discovery and early-stage donors, focusing on gifts in the $25K–$100K range while building toward a $100K major gift portfolio
• Identify, qualify, and cultivate new prospects through outreach, meetings, events, and strategic engagement
• Develop and execute individualized strategies to move donors through the pipeline toward increased giving
• Prepare proposals, case statements, and communications to support donor engagement and solicitations
• Travel to engage donors and prospects and build strong relationships

Strategy & Collaboration

• Partner with Regional Philanthropy and University Advancement colleagues to align outreach and fundraising strategies
• Collaborate with annual giving, gift planning, principal gifts, and prospect development teams to strengthen the donor pipeline
• Contribute to regional fundraising plans and development strategies that support institutional priorities
• Coordinate with development officers and campus partners to ensure effective donor engagement and strategy alignment

Relationship Building & Stewardship

• Build meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, and friends of the university to deepen engagement and inspire giving
• Ensure timely and thoughtful stewardship of donors through recognition, communication, and events
• Partner with faculty, administrators, and volunteers to connect donors with high-impact opportunities
• Represent the university with professionalism and credibility in all interactions

Planning & Execution

• Set and achieve annual fundraising goals aligned with team and institutional objectives
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of donor activity in CRM systems
• Support planning and execution of donor events and engagement opportunities
• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven team culture

Experience You Will Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 3 years of experience in fundraising, development, or a related field (e.g., sales, business development)
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and successfully solicit gifts or close complex deals
• Strong organizational and portfolio management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented, matrixed environment
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education or nonprofit fundraising
• Demonstrated success closing major gifts ($100K ) or equivalent high-value transactions

What's in it for you:

• Salary: $75,000–$80,000 annually
• Relocation assistance available
• 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 an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. University Advancement actively promotes equity and inclusion, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives and experiences in building meaningful connections with its global community.

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.