Application Review Begins
May 28, 2026; position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a complete application. Complete applications must include a resume and a cover letter.
We are interested in finding the best candidate for this position. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t think you meet every one of our preferred qualifications – use your application to let us know what is meaningful to you about the role and what transferable skills or other qualities you would bring to the position.
If you have questions about the application process or the position, please reach out to fass@uoregon.edu.
Department Summary
University Advancement (UA) supports the University of Oregon’s (UO) mission of providing exceptional teaching, discovery, and service by strategically positioning the university to create awareness, build long-term relationships, and secure resources that increase understanding and further its aims. The division consists of approximately 200 employees primarily working out of Eugene, with offices in Portland and Bend. Departments within University Advancement include: the UO Alumni Association; Development; Advancement Operations; Federal Affairs; and State and Community Affairs. We are committed to fostering equity and inclusion in a welcoming, safe, and respectful environment that recognizes the value of all members of our community.
The Office of Development as part of University Advancement has a mission to maximize philanthropic impact at the University of Oregon. We do this by identifying, connecting and engaging alumni and friends around the globe with their passions to advance the vision and priorities of the university.
The Annual Philanthropy Program (APP) is focused on creating and encouraging robust philanthropic activity early in the donor pipeline. The program helps the UO identify the next generation of philanthropic leaders by bringing in new donors and ensuring that existing donors have a positive experience so they are motivated to give consistently and move to the next level of giving. This innovative team leads the UO’s efforts in implementing best practices in identifying, acquiring, retaining, and reactivating over 30,000 donors annually, and works to secure gifts under $25,000 through various traditional and emerging efforts. As a centralized fundraising program, Annual Philanthropy works closely with colleagues across campus to provide expertise and high-level strategic planning that promotes a healthy donor pipeline and ensures fundraising priorities are well represented to the broader UO community.
Position Summary
The Associate Director of Annual Philanthropy plays a key role on the Annual Philanthropy team, with a focus on retaining and upgrading donors at the annual giving level. The position works to build and execute Annual Philanthropy solicitation strategies primarily in the areas of direct mail and email marketing as well as managing digital marketing platforms for the AP team. Reporting to the Director of Annual Philanthropy, this position requires the ability to think strategically and creatively about how the UO can connect with donors, alumni, and friends of the university through mass communication. Success in this position also requires excellent project management skills and the ability to use and analyze data to identify effective audiences, communications strategies, and messaging.
The Associate Director position is an excellent opportunity for individuals with strong communications or marketing skills who are interested in fundraising, or for individuals with a good understanding of annual giving practices and principles who want to be more involved with mass solicitations.
This position represents Annual Philanthropy to a broad audience of alumni, donors, UOAA members, university partners, and campus administration. In addition, the Associate Director is responsible for coordinating strategy with other teams in University Advancement and Athletics Development, educating department staff about Annual Philanthropy programs through reports and other tools, and ensuring that messaging is consistent and aligned with the department’s mission and goals. The Associate Director also supervises student employees and plays a lead role in mass communication fundraising efforts within the team.
Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of skills and experience.
• Two years of experience in annual giving, communications, marketing, grant-writing, or similar experience that requires creating messaging for specific audiences.
Professional Competencies
• Project management skills, including the ability plan, develop, and execute multi-channel mass solicitations.
• Ability to analyze data and create reports showing solicitation results and overall progress towards goals.
• Understanding of and ability to use donor segmentation and multi-channel solicitation.
• Ability to strategize, prioritize, and multi-task to meet goals and deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to proof and edit materials.
• Ability to write compelling stories about the university to use in solicitations.
• Ability to work collaboratively with professional peers, faculty, staff, and external vendors.
• Ability to interact, communicate, and work effectively with individuals, recognizing and respecting the many and varied identities of each person.
• Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Strong knowledge of annual philanthropy industry-wide best practices and established national professional networking connections.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience developing integrated multi-channel marketing campaigns to achieve specific goals and objectives.
• Experience working with large vendors and representatives from multiple companies.
• Experience in using data and analytics to develop future fundraising strategies.
• Experience using Salesforce Marketing Cloud or similar digital marketing platform.
• One year of supervisory experience or two years of student supervision
• Experience working in higher education.
FLSA Exempt: Yes