Executive Director of the College of Arts and Sciences Advancement

Executive Director of the College of Arts and Sciences Advancement

Location: Undergraduate Campus · Type: Full time · Posted: 2026-10-22 · Reference: R-005243

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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 College of Arts and Sciences Advancement within the Advancement Department reports jointly to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Assistant Vice President for Advancement. This role is primarily responsible for developing and executing fundraising strategies that advance the academic priorities of the College of Arts and Sciences, managing a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, securing significant philanthropic commitments, and collaborating with academic leadership, faculty, and advancement partners to support institutional priorities. The ideal candidate will possess demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, strategic relationship management, donor engagement, and translating complex academic initiatives into compelling philanthropic opportunities. To be successful in this position, the individual must excel at building meaningful relationships, developing and executing fundraising strategies, collaborating across academic and administrative teams, and securing philanthropic support for the College's long-term academic and financial sustainability.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Strategic Fundraising and Academic Priorities

• Partner with the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) to identify, develop, and advance fundraising priorities that support academic programs and initiatives.
• Translate academic priorities across the humanities, arts, natural sciences, and social sciences into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• Develop and implement fundraising strategies that support faculty chairs, faculty-student research, artistic work, and departmental and program goals.
• Collaborate with the President, Dean, faculty, and board members to develop major and principal gift strategies.

Major Gift Fundraising and Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of up to 200 major and principal gift prospects with the capacity to make commitments ranging from $50,000 to more than $1 million.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for alumni, parents, and friends of the College.
• Secure major outright, blended, and deferred gifts that advance CAS academic and institutional priorities.
• Conduct regular in-person donor visits locally, regionally, and nationally to strengthen relationships and advance fundraising opportunities.

Academic and Institutional Collaboration

• Serve as the primary advancement liaison to the CAS Dean, academic department chairs, program directors, and faculty.
• Build collaborative relationships with academic leadership to identify funding opportunities and align philanthropic strategies with institutional priorities.
• Coordinate with central Advancement teams, including Gift Planning, Annual Giving, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Donor Relations, and Prospect Development, to implement integrated fundraising strategies.

Donor Engagement and Stewardship

• Cultivate meaningful, long-term relationships with major and principal gift prospects to strengthen philanthropic engagement with the College.
• Develop tailored donor engagement and stewardship plans that connect philanthropic interests with academic priorities.
• Solicit support for special academic initiatives, the Annual Fund, and the Parents Fund.
• Coordinate donor engagement opportunities that demonstrate the impact of philanthropic investments.

Advancement Leadership and College Representation

• Represent CAS Advancement at College events, academic programs, board meetings, and regional alumni gatherings.
• Advise academic leadership on fundraising opportunities, donor engagement strategies, and philanthropic priorities.
• Strengthen the visibility and financial sustainability of CAS through strategic partnerships and fundraising initiatives.

Other Duties as Assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & BEHAVIORS

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with a strong commitment to professionalism, collaboration, and trust.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills, including persuasive storytelling, active listening, and effective engagement with a broad range of audiences.
• Extensive knowledge of major and principal gift fundraising principles, donor engagement strategies, and philanthropic practices.
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical reasoning, and sound judgment in complex organizational environments.
• Proficient in constituent relationship management (CRM) systems, donor databases, and Microsoft Office or Google Workspace applications.
• Superior organizational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in managing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent understanding of higher education environments, academic structures, and the unique philanthropic opportunities within liberal arts institutions.
• Proficient knowledge of planned giving concepts, charitable giving vehicles, and donor stewardship principles.
• Strong commitment to promoting inclusion, belonging, and respectful engagement with individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
• Excellent adaptability, independent judgment, initiative, and collaborative problem-solving skills in a dynamic professional environment.

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Five years of progressive fundraising experience in a nonprofit or similarly complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience managing major gift prospects, conducting personal solicitations, and securing significant philanthropic commitments.
• Experience developing fundraising strategies and translating organizational priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• Experience cultivating and maintaining relationships with donors, organizational leadership, and key stakeholders.

PREFERRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree or other advanced degree.
• Five years of fundraising experience within a liberal arts college or similar academic environment.
• Experience working in higher education settings.
• Experience with planned giving strategies, charitable giving vehicles, and capital campaign management.
• Experience securing major and principal gifts in support of academic programs, faculty initiatives, and institutional priorities.
• Preferred Tech: Experience with constituent relationship management (CRM) systems, donor management databases, and fundraising analytics and reporting tools.

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full Time/Part Time: Full-time
• Schedule: 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend hours required for donor meetings, events, and College activities.
• Benefit Eligible: Yes
• Travel: Regular local, regional, and national travel required for donor visits, fundraising activities, and College events. Travel typically occurs monthly and may require overnight stays of one to three nights per trip.
• Hybrid/Remote: This position is primarily in person on the Portland campus, 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 work conducted on campus, at donor locations, and at College and off-campus events.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent communication via phone, email, online meetings, and in person.
• Regular travel to local, regional, and national locations, including overnight stays.
• Frequent movement between offices, meeting spaces, and event venues, including navigating stairs and varying indoor and outdoor environments.
• Periods of standing, sitting, and walking during donor meetings, campus activities, and fundraising events.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving materials and event supplies weighing up to 35 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Occasional work outside standard business hours, including evenings and weekends, to support fundraising activities and events.

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.