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

Another Source's client, University of Oregon, is recruiting a Senior Director of Regional Philanthropy (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: Bay Area and East Bay, CA

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 Director of Regional Philanthropy for California and Hawai'i, you will lead one of the University of Oregon's most important and opportunity-rich fundraising markets. In this role, you will oversee and execute a comprehensive regional fundraising strategy, managing a portfolio of major gift prospects while guiding a team of development professionals. You will focus on securing gifts ranging from $100K to multi-million-dollar commitments, partnering closely with University Advancement and academic leadership to align donor interests with institutional priorities.

You will serve as a key connector across the university, collaborating with central development, schools and colleges, and principal gifts to coordinate strategies and maximize impact. As a leader of people and performance, you will coach and mentor team members, build pipeline strategy, and ensure prospects are moving effectively through the donor lifecycle.

This role is highly external-facing and requires regular travel throughout California and Hawai'i. You will bring a strong understanding of regional philanthropic culture and use that insight to expand engagement, strengthen the donor base, and build a pipeline of future philanthropic leaders. This is an ideal opportunity for a strategic, relationship-driven advancement leader who thrives at the intersection of leadership, fundraising, and regional strategy.

Your Contribution Will Likely Include:

Fundraising & Regional Strategy

Manage a portfolio of major and leadership gift prospects, securing gifts ranging from $100K to multi-million-dollar commitments

• Develop and execute a comprehensive regional fundraising strategy aligned with university priorities and campaign goals

• Drive donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies across the California and Hawai'i markets

• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospects, including emerging and under-engaged donors

• Travel regularly to engage donors, advance relationships, and represent the university in key markets

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, coach, and mentor a team of regional fundraising professionals, supporting performance and professional growth

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for regional fundraising activity, ensuring alignment with institutional goals

• Hold team members accountable to performance metrics and support successful donor outcomes

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture across a geographically dispersed team

Collaboration & Institutional Partnership

• Partner with University Advancement leadership, academic units, and principal gifts to align regional strategy with institutional priorities

• Serve as a key liaison across campus, coordinating donor strategies and engagement efforts

• Collaborate with alumni engagement, annual giving, and donor relations teams to enhance outreach and stewardship

• Lead regional strategy conversations and contribute to broader advancement planning and initiatives

Volunteer & Market Engagement

• Engage and leverage key regional volunteers, including board members and influential alumni, to advance fundraising goals

• Develop strategies to grow donor engagement and philanthropic leadership within the region

• Represent the university externally with credibility, effectively communicating mission, priorities, and impact

• Provide insight into regional trends, donor behavior, and market opportunities to inform strategy

Planning & Execution

• Set and achieve ambitious fundraising goals for both individual performance and regional outcomes

• Lead strategic planning efforts, including pipeline development, prospect prioritization, and long-term growth strategies

• Support development of regional events and engagement opportunities to strengthen donor relationships

• Ensure strong stewardship practices and donor recognition in partnership with advancement teams

Qualifications:

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

• 5+ years of progressively responsible major gift fundraising experience

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

• Demonstrated success securing major gifts, including six-figure and above commitments

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

• Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders

• Strategic thinker with experience developing and executing multi-year fundraising plans

• Ability to navigate complex organizations and collaborate across teams

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

• Willingness and ability to travel up to ~50%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree

• 10+ years of development experience

• 5+ years of major gift fundraising experience

• 5+ years of progressive management experience

• Significant experience in higher education fundraising

What's in it for you:

• Salary: $120,000-$140,000 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 creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. University Advancement actively fosters a welcoming and respectful workplace, recognizing the value of diverse backgrounds and perspectives in building meaningful philanthropic relationships.

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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