Executive Director for Advancement for the Graduate School of Education and Counseling

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Working at Lewis & Clark College

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Lewis & Clark College is committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status, such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or age.

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Executive Director of the Graduate School of Education and Counseling Advancement within the Office of Advancement reports jointly to the Dean of the Graduate School of Education and Counseling and the Associate Vice President for Foundation Relations and Strategic Philanthropy. This role is primarily responsible for developing and implementing fundraising strategies that advance the Graduate School’s academic priorities, student scholarships, clinical training initiatives, and community partnerships. The Executive Director manages a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, cultivates relationships with donors and foundations, secures philanthropic commitments, and collaborates with academic leadership, faculty, and Advancement colleagues to align institutional priorities with funding opportunities. The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, strategic relationship management, and translating complex academic and community-based programs into compelling philanthropic opportunities. To be successful in this position, the individual must excel at building collaborative relationships, developing and executing fundraising strategies, communicating institutional priorities, and securing philanthropic support that advances the Graduate School’s mission and long-term sustainability.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Strategic Fundraising and Academic Collaboration

• •Partner with the Dean of the Graduate School of Education and Counseling (GSEC) to identify and advance fundraising priorities supporting academic programs, student scholarships, clinical training, and community partnerships.
• •Translate academic priorities, faculty research, and strategic initiatives into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• •Advise the Dean, department chairs, program directors, and clinical faculty on fundraising strategies and donor engagement opportunities.
• •Collaborate with College leadership, faculty, board members, advisory councils, and community partners to develop and execute major and principal gift strategies.
• •Align fundraising initiatives with the Graduate School’s strategic goals and long-term financial sustainability.

Major Gift Fundraising and Portfolio Management

• •Manage a portfolio of up to 100 major and principal gift prospects with giving capacities of $50,000 to more than $1 million.
• •Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to secure philanthropic commitments.
• •Identify, research, and qualify prospective donors in collaboration with Advancement colleagues.
• •Conduct regular donor visits locally, regionally, and nationally to strengthen relationships and advance fundraising opportunities.
• •Solicit outright, blended, and deferred gifts supporting scholarships, clinical initiatives, academic programs, the GSEC Annual Fund, and institutional priorities.

Foundation Relations and Grant Development

• •Partner with the Associate Vice President for Foundation Relations and Strategic Philanthropy to identify local and national foundation funding opportunities aligned with GSEC priorities.
• •Collaborate with faculty and academic leadership to identify research projects and programs suitable for grant funding.
• •Develop and submit foundation proposals, with an initial goal of 10 to 15 submissions in collaboration with Advancement leadership.
• •Research foundation grantmaking priorities and funding opportunities to strengthen the Graduate School’s philanthropic pipeline.
• •Coordinate grant development strategies that support academic innovation, clinical services, and community impact.

Advancement Collaboration and Donor Stewardship

• •Coordinate with Gift Planning, Annual Giving, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Donor Relations, Prospect Development, and Alumni Engagement to implement integrated fundraising strategies.
• •Develop meaningful donor engagement and stewardship opportunities that demonstrate the impact of philanthropic contributions.
• •Partner with Advancement colleagues to strengthen prospect identification, relationship management, and fundraising outcomes.
• •Cultivate relationships with alumni, practitioners, community leaders, foundations, and friends of the College to expand philanthropic support.

Institutional Representation and Community Engagement

• •Represent GSEC Advancement at College and Graduate School events, advisory board meetings, alumni gatherings, and community partnership activities.
• •Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, professional networks, and external partners to strengthen philanthropic engagement.
• •Promote the Graduate School’s academic programs, clinical services, and community impact through strategic donor communications and outreach.
• •Participate in occasional evening and weekend events and travel as needed to support fundraising and relationship-building activities.

Other Duties as Assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & BEHAVIORS

• •Superior knowledge of major and principal gift fundraising principles, donor cultivation, solicitation strategies, and philanthropic relationship management.
• •Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with a collaborative, professional, and donor-centered approach.
• •Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive storytelling, active listening, and communicating complex information clearly.
• •Strong strategic thinking, analytical reasoning, and independent judgment in a complex academic and nonprofit environment.
• •Proficient knowledge of foundation grantmaking, planned giving, charitable contributions, and philanthropic funding opportunities.
• •Excellent organizational and time management skills, with strong attention to detail and the capacity to balance competing priorities.
• •Superior negotiation, persuasion, and relationship management skills, with sound judgment and professionalism in sensitive conversations.
• •Proficient use of constituent relationship management (CRM) systems, fundraising databases, foundation research tools, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace.
• •Strong understanding of higher education, graduate professional programs, academic governance, and community-based clinical services.
• •Demonstrated commitment to promoting inclusion, belonging, and respect in the workplace, with cultural awareness and sensitivity to individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• •Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• •Five years of progressive fundraising experience in a nonprofit or similarly complex organizational environment.
• •Demonstrated experience managing major gift portfolios, cultivating donor relationships, soliciting contributions, and securing significant philanthropic commitments.
• •Experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies that align donor interests with organizational