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Director Of Development Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Gridstor

Director of Business Development

Portland, OR · On-site

$120 - $150/hr

Role Summary The Director of Business Development - BTM & On‑Site BESS will lead the full lifecycle of customer acquisition, offtake agreement execution, and go‑to‑market strategy for ...

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Director Of Development information

See Portland, OR salary details

$43K

$98K

$164.4K

How much do director of development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of development in Portland, OR is $97,975.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,200.00 and $115,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Development, you need expertise in fundraising strategy, donor relations, and nonprofit management, often supported by a relevant degree and substantial experience in development roles. Familiarity with donor management systems (such as Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce), grant writing, and data analysis tools is typically required. Outstanding communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills help cultivate donor trust and inspire teams. These capabilities are crucial for meeting fundraising goals, sustaining organizational growth, and advancing the nonprofit’s mission.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of development when managing fundraising initiatives?

Directors of Development often face challenges such as balancing short-term fundraising goals with long-term relationship building, motivating and aligning diverse teams, and adapting strategies to shifting donor priorities. They must also ensure effective communication across departments and with external stakeholders. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong leadership, data-driven decision making, and the ability to inspire both staff and donors toward the organization's mission.

What is the difference between Director Of Development vs Development Manager?

AspectDirector Of DevelopmentDevelopment Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees overall development strategy, manages teams, and aligns projects with organizational goals.Manages specific development projects, coordinates teams, and ensures project delivery.
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, often advanced degrees, and experience in leadership roles.Bachelor's degree in relevant field, experience in project management or development.
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, strategic planning, often in office settings.Operational, project-focused, collaborative team environment.

The main difference is that the Director Of Development focuses on strategic oversight and leadership, while the Development Manager handles day-to-day project management. Both roles require relevant experience and collaboration, but the director has a broader scope and higher-level responsibilities.

What does a director of development do?

A Director of Development is responsible for overseeing an organization's fundraising and development strategies. They manage donor relationships, create fundraising campaigns, and coordinate with staff to achieve financial goals. This role often involves working with nonprofits or educational institutions to secure grants, cultivate major donors, and ensure the sustainability of funding. The Director of Development also analyzes fundraising data and trends to improve future efforts and typically reports to executive leadership.
What are the most commonly searched types of Of Development jobs in Portland, OR? The most popular types of Of Development jobs in Portland, OR are:
What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Director Of Development jobs? Cities near Portland, OR with the most Director Of Development job openings:
Director Of Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Development job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,975 per year, or $47.1 per hour.

Senior Director of Development I

Portland State University Foundation

Portland, OR • On-site

$97K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

About Us
Portland State University (PSU) Foundation fuels the mission and priorities of Oregon's most diverse, innovative, and affordable research university by raising and stewarding philanthropic gifts that transform lives and communities.
At PSU, more than half of incoming first-year students identify as BIPOC, nearly a quarter are parents, and half are the first in their families to attend college. When PSU graduates thrive, families transform, communities prosper, and innovation expands. The PSU Foundation plays a vital role in advancing this impact by inspiring donors, engaging alumni and community partners, and stewarding resources with integrity and purpose.
Recognized as one of Oregon's best non-profits to work for five years in a row, PSU Foundation is a community of purpose-driven professionals who lead with heart, act with trust, and keep our mission forward in everything we do. Guided by creativity and collaboration, we foster a strong sense of belonging-empowering every team member to bring bold ideas and their authentic selves to work.
About The Role
The Senior Director of Development I leads the strategy and execution of fundraising efforts for designated units/Colleges/Schools/campaign priorities and manages an individual portfolio of prospects to advance major and principal gift opportunities in alignment with Portland State University's mission, strategic goals, and the upcoming campaign for PSU.
This position is responsible for meeting gift revenue goals, expanding the donor pipeline, and developing and executing comprehensive strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors while maintaining a high-performing, mission-driven team culture through mentorship, accountability, and professional development.
This position regularly works with PSU stakeholders, faculty, and Foundation colleagues to align fundraising strategy with academic initiatives.
Position Overview
  • Manages a High-Impact Portfolio: Leads a dynamic portfolio of major and principal gift donors and prospects, ensuring strategic qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Maintains accountability for achieving fundraising goals while fostering trust and collaboration across teams.
  • Drives Strategic, Cross-Functional Collaboration: Leads and contributes to complex, cross-organizational initiatives-including annual planning and goal-setting-by promoting open communication, shared ownership, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
  • Serves as a Strategic Partner to Academic Leadership: Acts as the primary development liaison for academic leaders and/or deans for the assigned college/unit, providing guidance and ensuring alignment between philanthropic opportunities and institutional priorities.
  • Engages Faculty to Advance Philanthropic Priorities: Builds strong, respectful partnerships with faculty to identify and elevate funding priorities that support the Foundation and University priorities.
  • Prioritizes Transformational Impact: Identifies and advances high-value opportunities that inspire donors to make meaningful investments in students, faculty, programs, and learning environments-emphasizing long-term impact and shared success.
  • Leads with Future in Focus: Participates in and leads planning efforts that enhance fundraising effectiveness, encourage innovation, and promotes a collaborative, high-performing team culture.
  • Represents PSUF at Events: Actively participates in and supports development-related events, serving as a positive ambassador for the university and fostering a sense of community and belonging among stakeholders.
  • Leads with Values + Intention: Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and values-aligned leadership as a member of the Supervisor Team, serving as a champion of organizational mission, strategy, and culture; fostering cross-functional collaboration; and promoting organizational change initiatives.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Measures of Success
  • Meet or exceed frontline fundraising metrics, including, but not limited to, face-to-face visits, qualifications, submitted/funded proposals, individual and unit fundraising.
  • Effective management of portfolio of prospects through all phases of the donor cultivation cycle, with special emphasis on cultivating and soliciting gifts and/or grants of $50,000 or more and readiness to solicit 7 figure gifts.
  • Effective relationship management both internally with PSU partners/units and externally with donors/prospects.

Minimum Qualifications
  • 7+ years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including proven success in securing six- and/or seven-figure gifts.
  • Bachelor's degree required or equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
  • Expertise in managing donor pipelines and gift officer portfolios using CRM systems (e.g., Blackbaud, Salesforce, Raiser's Edge) to guide strategy and forecasting.
  • Working knowledge of Asana or similar project management tools.
  • Familiarity with planned giving vehicles, IRS charitable giving regulations, and donor stewardship best practices.
  • Ability to work across departments with academic leaders, trustees, and volunteers to align fundraising with institutional priorities.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to craft compelling proposals and represent the institution externally.
  • Understanding of fundraising ethics, donor confidentiality, and compliance with CASE standards.
  • Proficiency with commonly used workplace technologies, including Microsoft Office, SharePoint, CRM platforms, and other cloud-based collaboration and document management tools; demonstrated ability to leverage emerging technologies to enhance productivity, accuracy, and overall work quality.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in an inclusive, equitable, and respectful environment, collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
  • Commitment to fostering a positive and collaborative workplace culture through active engagement with colleagues, open communication, and alignment with organizational values and culture initiatives.
  • Demonstrate reliable, regular, and predictable work attendance.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working in higher education or for a large complex non-profit organization.
  • Demonstrated success fundraising in higher education for a large public institution with complex matrixed environment.
  • Working knowledge of Portland's donor community.

Compensation & Benefits
Our compensation philosophy reflects our commitment to pay equity, transparency, and valuing the contributions of every team member.
  • Hiring Range: $97,500-$115,000
    • Offers are determined based on a candidate's skills, experience, and qualifications, while ensuring internal pay equity.
  • 4-Day Workweek:
    • As part of our commitment to wellness and workplace culture, we've transitioned to a 4-day workweek-an innovative shift that reflects our values and promotes balance across our team. Business operations are closed on Fridays, supporting work-life balance and recognizing the value of your time.
  • Top-Tier Benefits:
    We offer one of Oregon's leading nonprofit benefits packages, designed to support the well-being of employees and their families. Full-time employee benefits include:
    • 4 Day Work Week, with business operations closed on Fridays.
    • 100% employer-paid medical coverage on our base plan
    • 95% employer-paid dental and vision coverage
    • Up to 27 days of paid time off plus 10 paid holidays, including one floating holiday
    • Up to 12% employer contribution to eligible 401(k) plans after applicable waiting periods
    • Employer-paid Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance
    • Portland State University affiliated employee benefits, including tuition discount

How to Apply
Interested in applying? We invite you to submit your application through our Careers page.
Don't meet every requirement? We'd still like to hear from you!
If you enjoy being part of a collaborative results-driven team and making a difference in our community, we encourage you to apply, even if you believe you don't meet all of the requirements listed. Studies have shown that individuals with marginalized identities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification in the job description. Our priority is finding the best candidate for the role, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds. PSU Foundation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

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