Director of Advancement-Major Gifts

About the role

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) was founded as a 501(c) (3) non-profit medical institution in 2005 aimed at increasing access to health care in medically underserved areas of the Pacific Northwest. The University currently offers the degrees of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy enrolling over 550 students annually.

PNWU is located in Yakima, WA, a city of approximately 95,000 located in the south-central part of the state near the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in a major agricultural and outdoor recreation region. For more information, visit https://www.visityakima.com/.

Responsibilities

The Director of Advancement – Major Gifts reports directly to the Executive Director of Advancement and plays a pivotal role in advancing the university's mission by securing transformative philanthropic contributions. This role involves identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors to achieve ambitious fundraising goals, including securing six- and seven-figure gifts.

• Strategic Planning: Collaborate with the development leadership team to design and implement major gift fundraising strategies that align with organizational objectives.
• Portfolio Management: Maintain and manage a portfolio of major donor prospects, leveraging CRM tools such as Raiser’s Edge to track interactions, progress, and giving potential.
• Prospect Identification & Research: Conduct detailed research to identify prospective donors with significant philanthropic potential and develop tailored engagement strategies.
• Relationship Building: Establish and nurture meaningful relationships with major donors through regular communication, in-person meetings, and customized engagement plans.
• Cultivation & Solicitation: Develop compelling proposals that clearly articulate the university’s mission and impact. Lead solicitation efforts to secure major gifts, achieving annual fundraising targets of $1M–$2.5M in countable gifts.
• Leadership Engagement: Partner with board members, the president, deans, and program leads to identify, engage, and secure commitments from high-value donors.
• Event Management: Participate in, and occasionally lead, special events designed to cultivate, engage, and solicit major donors.
• Donor Stewardship: Implement robust stewardship plans to acknowledge and thank donors, keep them informed of gift impact, and foster ongoing engagement and loyalty.

Requirements

Required: Bachelor's Degree OR an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential functions of the position.

Required: 1-3 years relevant experience.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build genuine rapport with high-net-worth individuals.
• Strong understanding of fundraising principles, best practices, and moves management.
• Demonstrated success in securing six and seven-figure gifts.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities, with a proven capacity to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong listening skills.
• Ability to work in a team and flexibility to work with others in a variety of circumstances.
• Ability to solve problems by analyzing issues and creating action plans.
• Ability to work with and manage different computer programs and databases.
• Ability to schedule activities and/or meetings.

Benefits

PNWU offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees first of the month following date of hire and competitive salary.

• Health Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance.
• Paid Time Off.
• 403b with Roth Option.
• Paid Holidays.

Pay

Annual Minimum Salary: $67,200. Annual Maximum Salary: $107,500. Hiring Rate: $32.31-$41.97. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Pro-rated based on hours/week.

Schedule

Full-Time, 40 hours/week.