Hours: 40 hours/week (1.0 FTE); exempt
Accountability: Vice President of Advancement
Position Summary:Reporting to and working in close collaboration with the Vice President of Advancement, the Director of Development will providestrategic input to the school’s annual fund program, grant writing efforts, and Alumni Relations. The Director will be part of a team thatseeks to grow the school’s donor base and develop a major-giving program. Beyond securing donations, they also play a vital role instewarding these donors and ensuring their continued engagement and loyalty to the organization. In essence, the Director of Developmentacts as a bridge between Western's mission and its most generous supporters, helping to fund important programs and initiatives.
Essential Duties/Functions:
- Donor Cultivation and Solicitation: Identify, cultivate, and steward relationshipswith donors, including major donors, foundations, and churches, to secure significant financial contributions. Develop and implementtailored cultivation strategies, including personalized communications, donor visits, and engagement opportunities to deepen relationshipsand increase donor commitment.
- Major Gift Planning and Proposal Development: Collaborate with the development team to createcompelling gift proposals, tailored to donors' philanthropic interests and financial capacity with an emphasis and goal of acquiring majorgifts.
- Donor Portfolio Management: Manage a portfolio of 150 prospects/donors, creating and implementing individualizedcultivation and solicitation plans. Conduct in-depth prospect research to identify and prioritize donors and potential donors. Utilizestrategic moves and management techniques to guide prospects through the cultivation cycle, from identification to solicitation andstewardship.
- Solicitation Success: This includes achieving specific financial targets within a designated timeframe.Demonstrate success in soliciting major gifts from prospects in their portfolio. Effectively present compelling gift proposals, addressdonor concerns, and secure commitments at appropriate giving levels. A successful candidate will be able to meet or exceed fundraising goalsset by the institution.
- Relationship Building: Establish and maintain strong relationships with assigned donors, churches,and alumni, building trust, rapport, and confidence in Western’s mission and academic programs. Collaborate with board members, executiveleadership, faculty, and program staff to engage donors in meaningful ways, including personal meetings, events, and programmatic sitevisits.
- Collaboration and Teamwork: Work collaboratively with the development team and other stakeholders to align giftstrategies with overall fundraising objectives. Participate in team meetings, strategy sessions, and donor/alumni cultivation events tomaximize philanthropic opportunities.
Qualifications:
- Evangelical Christian commitment and lifestyleconsistent with the World Evangelical Alliance Statement of Faith and the Seminary’s governing virtues.
- Genuine passion forWestern’s mission and commitment to making a positive impact through philanthropy.
- Exceptional relationship-building andinterpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of stakeholders.
- Proven ability to manage a portfolio ofdonor prospects, including research, cultivation, and solicitation strategies.
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in arelated field is a plus
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in donor cultivation and fundraising, preferably in a nonprofitorganization.
- Demonstrated success in securing donations, including major gifts from individuals, foundations, andcorporations.
- Strong understanding of philanthropic motivations and trends among high-net-worth individuals andinstitutions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling proposals and communicateWestern's mission effectively.
- Experience with customer relationship management and donor database systems.
- Highly organizedand detail-oriented, with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively withina team environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and SIS/CRM systems
- A valid driver’s license andreliable personal transportation are required for travel. Must be available to travel up to 65% of the time, often overnight and/ orweekends in Oregon, Washington, and California.
- Availability to fly throughout the United States.