Executive Director of the Graduate School of Education and Counseling Advancement

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Working at Lewis & Clark College

The campus is located on 137 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds in Portland’s southwest hills. Our strong commitment to sustainability is reinforced through recycling programs, energy conservation, alternative transportation options, and farm to fork initiatives. For benefit-eligible positions, we offer a competitive benefits package that includes options for health, dental, vision, tuition, life insurance, retirement and more.

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 priorities.
• Experience translating complex academic programs, clinical services, or community initiatives into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• Experience collaborating with senior leadership, faculty, and external stakeholders to advance fundraising objectives.

PREFERRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree or advanced degree in education, counseling, nonprofit administration, or a related field.
• Eight years of progressive fundraising experience, including major and principal gift development.
• Experience working in higher education settings, particularly graduate or professional schools.
• Experience with planned giving, corporate and foundation grantmaking, and comprehensive fundraising campaigns.
• Experience researching foundation funding opportunities and developing competitive grant proposals.
• Preferred Tech: Experience with constituent relationship management (CRM) systems, advancement and donor management databases, foundation research platforms, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace.

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
• Schedule: 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Occasional evening and weekend hours required for donor meetings, College events, and fundraising activities.
• Benefit Eligible: Yes
• Travel: Regular local travel and occasional regional and national travel for donor visits, fundraising activities, and institutional events. Travel may include overnight stays of one to three nights per trip.
• Hybrid/Remote: This position is primarily in person at the Lewis & Clark College campus in Portland, Oregon, with limited hybrid flexibility based on departmental needs and College policy.

PAY RATE

• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Starting at $110,000 per year, with consideration for experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• General office environment with occasional work at off-campus donor meetings, fundraising events, and community locations.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent communication via phone, email, virtual meetings, and in person.
• Regular use of computers and standard office equipment.
• Occasional standing and walking for extended periods during meetings, campus activities, and fundraising events.
• Occasional navigation of stairs and varying indoor and outdoor environments during campus visits and off-site events.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, and moving materials weighing up to 35 pounds for event preparation and support.
• Local, regional, and national travel, including overnight stays, using various modes of transportation.

Directions for Cover Letter

Please include a cover letter describing your interest in joining Lewis & Clark and the ways you can contribute to a culture of inclusion on our campus.

Lewis & Clark College adheres to a nondiscriminatory policy with respect to educational programs, activities, employment, and admission.  We do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, religion, age, marital status, national origin, the presence of any physical or sensory disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, and local laws.  The Associate Vice President of Human Resources has been designated to handle inquiries regarding employment- and disability-related non-discrimination policies.  Title IX inquiries may be directed to the Title IX coordinator or deputy Title IX coordinators

(https://www.lclark.edu/about/title_ix_compliance). 

Reasonable Accommodation

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. 

Background Check

Lewis & Clark College will conduct a background check on the finalist, which will include a criminal record check. If a conviction is discovered, a determination will be made whether the conviction is related to the position for which the individual is applying or would present safety or security risks before an employment decision is made. A criminal conviction does not necessarily automatically bar an applicant from employment.

Eligibility to Work

In order to comply with US Homeland Security Department regulations, all employees must complete an I-9 form in Workday prior to or no later than the first day of work and bring originals (no photocopies) of their supporting documentation to Human Resources no later than the 3rd business day of employment. Failure to have a completed I-9 form on file with the College will result in immediate termination of employment.