Associate Vice President of Development

PLNU is a Christian liberal arts university in the evangelical, Wesleyan tradition, offering quality undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. We provide higher education in a vibrant Christian environment where minds are engaged and challenged, character is modeled and formed, and service is an expression of faith. PLNU is an institution that is committed to reflecting the rich diversity of God’s kingdom. We therefore encourage applications from culturally diverse candidates.

Benefits:

We are pleased to offer attractive benefits and resources. This includes benefits such as health, dental, tuition benefits for employees and dependents, competitive retirement matching, vacation and sick time, and 15 paid holidays per year. In addition, we have many opportunities to engage with our community including staff chapel and a robust wellness program.

Job Summary:

PLNU is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Associate Vice President of Development to lead and grow the university’s major gifts, planned giving, and foundation fundraising efforts during an exciting season of institutional growth and campaign preparation. This executive advancement leader will play a critical role in shaping philanthropic strategy, mentoring a high-performing frontline fundraising team, and cultivating transformational partnerships that advance PLNU’s mission and future vision.

Salary:
Pay range $133,000 - $165,000
Actual salary offered is determined by the candidate’s experience, education, skills, and other factors, including internal equity and university funding resources.

Job Status:

Full time

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Job Description:

What We’re Looking For

• Proven success leading major gift and planned giving fundraising strategies within higher education or complex nonprofit environments

• Strong ability to cultivate and steward relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and philanthropic partners

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing fundraising professionals in a metrics-driven environment

• Strategic thinker with the ability to build scalable fundraising systems, donor engagement strategies, and campaign initiatives

• Experience designing and implementing comprehensive planned giving and estate giving programs

• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills with the ability to inspire donors, volunteers, and institutional leaders

• Ability to analyze fundraising data, pipeline activity, and campaign performance to drive strategic decisions

• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to partner effectively across university departments and leadership teams

• High level of professionalism, discretion, judgment, and emotional intelligence

• Knowledge and experience working with a diverse population is preferred

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for PLNU’s major gifts, planned giving, and foundation fundraising programs

• Lead and mentor a frontline fundraising team including Major Gift Officers, Planned Giving, and Foundation Relations staff

• Design and implement a comprehensive planned giving strategy focused on expanding revocable and irrevocable estate gifts

• Develop integrated strategies, engagement plans, and marketing efforts to grow planned giving and estate giving pipelines

• Serve as a player-coach by managing a portfolio of major donors and high-net-worth planned giving prospects

• Lead fundraising strategy development in preparation for PLNU’s comprehensive campaign launching in 2027

• Establish moves management strategies, fundraising metrics, and accountability systems for development officers

• Partner with advancement leadership to implement campaign priorities, special initiatives, and presidential fundraising goals

• Collaborate with academic and administrative leaders to identify funding priorities and develop compelling cases for support

• Provide strategic oversight for donor stewardship, campaign reporting, and advancement communications

• Ensure accurate documentation and donor activity reporting within Raiser’s Edge and related advancement systems

• Support integration of gift and estate planning strategies across all frontline fundraising activities

• Represent