Hiring Organization Information
Position Information
The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve, and empower refugees, immigrants, and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Find out more at www.irco.org.
POSITION: Director of Advancement
JOB CLASS/GRADE: Admin Director; Pay Grade 1
WAGE: $130,000-$140,000/annual
FLSA; EEO; WC: Exempt; Executive
LOCATIONS: IRCO Main Office, 10301 NE Glisan St Portland OR 97220, Hybrid Eligible
FTE; FT/PT; STATUS: 1.0 FTE; Full-Time with Benefits; Regular
PROGRAM(S): Administration
SECTOR/DIVISION: Development & Communications
PROGRAM SUMMARY
The IRCO Development & Communications Department works to increase resources and support for IRCO and our communities. It includes Community Giving/Fundraising, Grants, Communications, Volunteer teams, and Board Support.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Advancement is a senior leadership role responsible for developing and overseeing the organization’s comprehensive advancement strategy, including grants, fundraising, communications, volunteer engagement, and capital campaign management. This position is critical in driving the organization’s growth, financial sustainability, and community impact by fostering a robust culture of philanthropy and ensuring alignment with IRCO’s mission and long-term goals. The Director of Advancement will work closely with the Executive Leaders, Division Directors, and Board of Directors to set and implement high-level strategic plans, cultivating relationships with key donors and stakeholders and overseeing the leadership of cross-functional teams dedicated to advancement. As the senior leader in advancement, the director will play a key role in shaping and executing major fundraising initiatives and ensuring organizational excellence in all advancement efforts.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTION
• Lead the strategic direction and management of the organization’s advancement activities, including grants, fundraising, communications, volunteer engagement, and capital campaigns.
• Collaborate with Executive Leadership, Division Directors, and Board of Directors to define long-term goals, objectives, and strategies for organizational growth, sustainability, and mission impact.
• Oversee the planning, implementation, and successful execution of capital campaigns, including campaign strategy, donor stewardship, and fundraising outcomes.
• Lead the design and execution of a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including major gifts, annual giving, grants, corporate partnerships, and planned giving.
• Drive the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors, foundations, and corporate partners, ensuring long-term donor relationships and support.
• Lead grants team’s work with vision and strategy, while fostering a collaborative relationship with Division Directors; balancing competing strategic priorities across Divisions.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of strategic communications plans to engage stakeholders, elevate the nonprofit’s public profile, and amplify impact messaging.
• Oversee volunteer engagement strategies to strengthen community support, build capacity, and enhance organizational initiatives.
• Develop and manage the advancement department budget, tracking performance, ROI, and financial goals to ensure alignment with organizational priorities.
• Serve as a spokesperson for the organization’s fundraising and community engagement efforts, actively participating in donor and public relations activities.
• Cultivate a high-performing team by providing leadership, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for staff across all advancement areas.
• Provide regular updates, reports, and strategic insights to the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders on advancement activities, performance, and fundraising progress.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, or a related field
• 10+ years of senior-level experience in nonprofit advancement, with significant experience in fundraising, grants management, capital campaigns, and communications.
• Proven success in leading and managing large-scale capital campaigns, with a track record of achieving or exceeding fundraising targets.
• Experience working closely with senior leadership, including CEOs, boards of directors, and other key stakeholders, to shape and execute organizational strategies.
• Strong experience in nonprofit communications, including high-level media relations, branding, digital strategy, and messaging for diverse audiences.
• Expertise in developing and managing multimillion-dollar fundraising strategies and programs, with a focus on donor stewardship and long-term relationship building.
• A proven ability to build and lead high-performing, cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Skills & Competencies:
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and the ability to align fundraising efforts with broader organizational goals.
• Outstanding leadership and management skills, with a demonstrated ability to inspire, motivate, and develop teams.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with key stakeholders, including major donors, partners, and the public.
• Expertise in capital campaign management, from planning and execution to donor engagement and campaign reporting.
• Strong financial oversight and budgeting experience, with the ability to track and report on fundraising performance, ROI, and department outcomes.
• High proficiency with fundraising software and tools (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, build consensus, and negotiate with diverse stakeholders.
Personal Attributes:
• Visionary, results-driven leader with a passion for nonprofit work and a deep commitment to advancing the organization’s mission.
• Collaborative, dynamic, and approachable leadership style, fostering teamwork, transparency, and positive organizational culture.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive, strategic mindset in addressing challenges and opportunities.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism in all interactions.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL, & ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
• Hybrid Setting job with much of the work carried out remotely, necessitating flexibility and responsiveness to communications, emails, and virtual messages.
• Position requires complex analysis of problems and decision-making ability.
• Fluency in English, strong verbal and written communication, with experience in writing grants and/or marketing materials.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office and experience in constituent management systems.
• Ability to lead teams and solve problems with positivity and initiative in completing many short- and long-term tasks and projects on different timelines simultaneously and with quickly shifting priorities.
• Can collaborate internally and externally which means working with staff and leadership across many different roles and levels of the organization.
• The ability to inspire and effectively manage, mentor, and coach staff and colleagues to achieve success within and across multiple teams.
• Understanding of the challenges facing Oregon’s immigrant and refugee communities (specifically but not limited to Asian, Pacific Islander, African, Slavic, and Greater Middle Eastern communities).
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Positions at this level are responsible for the full range of supervisory functions and responsibilities.
RESPONSIBILITY
Impact and Influence: Build a strategic vision for their division. Help in setting and implementing IRCO's strategic plan, provide budgetary oversight, and contribute to building program policies and procedures. Ability to analyze problems and make decisions to limit risk to IRCO
Work Independence: Positions at this level are single incumbent high-level staff or technical positions or those of the Senior Management Team where no internal review is likely because of the specific nature of the position. Positions function with virtual autonomy
Planning: Positions at this level have ongoing planning and goal-setting responsibilities. Planning processes typically impact more than one function or work unit. Planning is made more difficult because of the number of alternatives or obstacles
Supervision: Positions at this level are normally responsible for full managerial responsibilities including providing direction to other supervisors/managers regarding the supervision of their staff. Supervisory span will include direct and indirect reports
WORKING CONDITIONS
Environment: This level has a work environment that is well protected, with virtually no hazards or obstacles. There is very little element of personal risk or hazard. Job conditions are stable, usually well-managed, and very comfortable.
Schedule: The work schedule occasionally fluctuates based on organization or customer needs. This fluctuation may occur with or without prior notice.
REQUIRED ENGAGEMENT
Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO’s mission, vision, and values-based initiatives.
IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.