Director Of Development

Your New Organization: The Oregon Zoo Foundation team offers the opportunity to be an advocate for one of the premier animal well-being, species recovery and conservation education organizations in the Pacific Northwest. We are a bright, dedicated and team-oriented staff. We are passionate about building a financially secure world class Oregon Zoo in order to mobilize humanity to love and act for wildlife. Besides excellent job skills, the foundation values people who bring a sense of humor and appreciate others – human and animal alike.

• The Foundation, an independent a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, works in partnership with the leadership of the Oregon Zoo, which is owned and operated by Metro regional government.
• We raise funds for strategic zoo programs and capital projects, and we advocate for the zoo and its mission, creating a better future for wildlife.

Your New Position:

• Reporting to the Foundation Director, the Director of Development is responsible for leading an exemplary comprehensive fundraising program with responsibility for the setting and achieving of annual and campaign fundraising goals for both capital and strategic priorities.
• The position oversees the program planning for all fundraising, including the annual fund, web-based giving, corporate and foundation grants and partnerships, planned giving and mission-focused special events.
• The Director of Development will devote 50% of their time to administration and management and 50% toward managing a personal portfolio of donors and will be expected to develop and close major gifts in accordance with established goals and metrics.
• The development department is currently comprised of eight full-time staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:
• Manage and lead the development department including hiring, training, mentoring, and holding the team accountable with defined metrics; and overseeing the system of metrics and measures in support of the foundation’s annual and multi-year goals;
• Manage several direct reports, including various development managers and major gift officers;
• Develop, implement, and oversee the team to execute a disciplined moves management approach for major donors, including prospect qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, pipeline tracking, and performance metrics;
• Motivate and develop a high performing;
• Foster an entrepreneurial, collaborative, creative and congenial team culture;
• Manage a personal and departmental portfolio of prospective and current individual major donors;
• Lead and participate in the Foundation Board Development Strategy Committee;
• Lead a comprehensive donor stewardship program including the acknowledgement plan, donor recognition events, and donor communications;
• Advance major donor relationships, drive new/renewed giving, coordinate gift arrangements and documentation, and oversee stewardship of assigned donors;
• Maintain accurate and timely records/contact reports of all interactions with donors utilizing fund raising database;
• Analyze donor data and giving trends as needed to grow contributions;
• Collaborate with the Director of Membership, Data & Reporting Strategy ensure proper customer service and stewardship;
• Serve as a senior leader and trusted partner to the Foundation Director and Foundation leadership team, ensuring proactive alignment on strategy, priorities, messaging, and external engagement;
• Model and lead alignment with organizational decisions and priorities, even when perspectives differ;
• Build and sustain effective, trust-based working relationships with Oregon Zoo and Metro leadership and
• staff;
• Ensure departmental adherence to policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks led by the Director of HR & Operations and the Director of Finance;
• Actively engage with the Leadership Team to drive alignment, collaboration, and unified support of the organization’s mission and strategic priorities;
• Represent the Foundation professionally and constructively in all cross-organizational interactions;
• Partner with board members to support their fundraising, ambassador, and stewardship roles;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in related field or equivalent work experience;
• At least three years’ experience leading a donor-centered fundraising team or equivalent demonstrated experience within the organization, with a significant record of successfully soliciting major and planned gifts in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment, and seven years’ experience in fundraising.
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship building and listening skills when interacting with volunteers, prospects, donors, and professional colleagues;
• Considerable experience in developing strategic outright gift proposals resulting in gifts of $50,000+;
• Demonstrated proficiency in managing a high performing, collaborative team that achieves measurable objectives toward strategic priorities in support of the mission and vision of the Oregon Zoo Foundation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to work effectively with donors, prospects, the public, Oregon Zoo staff, OZF staff and OZF board in communication of fundraising case for support, the mission, vision and brand of the Oregon Zoo and Oregon Zoo Foundation;
• Demonstrated experience with planned giving;
• Demonstrated superior inter-organizational awareness and communication skills necessary for interfacing with OZF partners including the Oregon Zoo and METRO;
• Support for and familiarity with Association of Fundraising Professionals’ code of ethical conduct;
• Willingness to travel locally and beyond the Portland area to participate in donor visits, events, and industry convenings.
• Proficient with constituent management software and database reports for donor analysis;
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills;
• Excellent ability to be a collaborator and to promote a positive, productive environment;
• Strong aptitude to see, manage and prioritize multiple projects and effectively coordinate across different projects and departments;
• Initiative-taking and able to anticipate organizational needs;
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and ability to lead constructively under pressure.
• Ability to navigate conflict, feedback, and ambiguity with professionalism and accountability.
• Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising compliance, donor restrictions, and best practices related to confidentiality and transparency.
• Able to handle confidential information in a professional and discrete manner;
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat;
• Strong commitment to the mission, vision and values of the Oregon Zoo and the Oregon Zoo Foundation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) Certification
• Experience closing multiple gifts of $100,000 and more
• Experience with soliciting and closing deferred gifts
• Experience working in an office environment with multiple departments
• Experience leading or executing multi-million-dollar capital or impact campaigns
• With your successful hire, you’ll receive a generous benefits package which includes paid time off, medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) plus match, along with health and wellness perks!