Director of Gift Planning & Major Gifts

Reed College offers an exceptional benefits package, including a comprehensive medical and dental insurance option for you (Reed pays 60% on medical and dental insurance premiums for your dependent), 403(b) retirement plan with 10% employer contribution (after one year of service), educational assistance for employees and their children, 22 days of paid vacation, paid holidays, half-day Fridays in the summer, and many other campus amenities. This is a full-time role with typical work hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a one hour unpaid lunch. 

The starting salary for this position is $135,000-145,000.  Pay offers are contingent upon experience and are determined through an internal pay assessment. Advanced candidates with 15+ years of relevant experience and a degree may be considered for compensation above the posted range, not to exceed $160,000, based on verified years of experience and demonstrated accomplishments. This is an exempt position in grade 11.

Who You Are

• You can design and execute long-term, integrated strategies that align major gifts and planned giving with institutional priorities and campaign goals

• You have the strong ability to lead, coach, and develop fundraisers, setting clear expectations, inspiring bold thinking, improving performance, and building a collaborative, high-functioning, and accountable team

• You have demonstrated success securing six- and seven-figure gifts

• You have expertise in managing donor portfolios (50+ prospects), prioritizing moves management activity, and maintaining a healthy pipeline using data-driven decision-making

• You are comfortable using metrics, reporting tools, and performance data to guide strategy and assess progress

• You possess exceptional interpersonal skills to build trust with high-net-worth individuals, alumni, faculty, and institutional leaders

• You have the ability to work seamlessly across Advancement functions to create a cohesive donor experience

• You have the capacity to articulate the institution’s mission and funding priorities in a compelling, donor-centered way

• You have strong project management skills to balance leadership responsibilities with an active fundraising portfolio and campaign initiatives

• You possess genuine alignment with Reed College’s values and the ability to foster a culture of philanthropy that is inclusive, collaborative, and mission-driven

What You’ll Do

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement an integrated strategy for major gifts and gift planning that aligns with Reed College’s fundraising priorities and campaign goals in partnership with the Executive Director of Development Leadership and Strategies

• Lead coordination between major gifts and gift planning to ensure cohesive donor strategies that maximize both current and deferred philanthropic support

• Contribute to campaign planning

Team Leadership and Management

• Provide direct leadership to a high-functioning team of fundraisers and foster a culture of accountability, inclusivity, and professional development

• Establish clear goals, metrics, and accountability systems aligned with institutional fundraising targets

• Support training initiatives for advancement staff related to major gifts and gift planning concepts

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven team culture

• Manage and actively cultivate a portfolio of 50+ leadership-level donors and prospects capable of making major and planned gifts

Pipeline and Portfolio Management

• Contribute to the development and implementation of fundraising policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure effective and compliant operations

• Partner with Advancement Operations to develop reporting tools and performance metrics

• Collaborate with prospect researcher to maintain a strong pipeline of major and gift planning prospects

• Lead regular portfolio reviews and monitor pipeline health using data-informed practices

Collaboration and Stewardship

• Partner with administrators, faculty, and volunteer leaders to advance donor relationships and solicitations

• Work closely with Annual Giving, Donor Relations, Alumni Relations and Parent Engagement, to ensure a seamless donor experience

• Develop and implement stewardship practices that promote sustained donor engagement and long-term relationship building.

• Travel multiple days per month including domestic and international travel

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree

• 7 years experience managing fundraising staff