Job Description

• 529658

• Anchorage, Alaska, United States

• Hybrid
• On Campus
• Staff Full-time

• Grade 84
• UAA VC University Advancement

As the Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO), you will play a critical role in advancing UAA's philanthropic mission by securing major and planned gifts, particularly for the Chancellor's top priorities. You will manage high-level donor relationships, develop strategic fundraising initiatives, and support UAA leadership in their development efforts. This role includes occasional travel to the Pacific Northwest to engage with alums and supporters but is primarily based in Anchorage. It will also serve as a connector to assist appropriate UAA personnel in cultivating relationships with stakeholders in the Pacific Northwest region.

As the Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO), you will play a critical role in advancing UAA's philanthropic mission by securing major and planned gifts, particularly for the Chancellor's top priorities. You will manage high-level donor relationships, develop strategic fundraising initiatives, and support UAA leadership in their development efforts. This role includes occasional travel to the Pacific Northwest to engage with alums and supporters but is primarily based in Anchorage.

To thrive in this role, an applicant must be a critical and creative thinker, collaborator, independent work, self-motivated. While metrics will be updated annually, the first year will include:
120+ contact reports (In the initial year, the contact reports will lean into heavy discovery, moving to cultivation. In subsequent years, moving to more solicitation and stewardship)
5+ “pass-offs” to another development officer at UAA
1+ planned gift conversation
Identify, cultivate, and solicit 20+ gifts annually of $25,000+ (in the first year, we may allow 20+ gift conversations at any level). The proposal success rate will be 75%+

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, business, public administration or relevant field and four years of experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification is preferred.


Proven successful principal gift fundraising track record, preferably in a higher education or complex nonprofit setting.
Familiarity with the Pacific Northwest philanthropic landscape and alumni engagement.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with the UAA-based team.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with the UA Foundation Sr. Director of Strategic Partnerships
Proficiency in fundraising software (the UA system currently utilizes RE NXT), Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office suite.
Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification is preferred.

Position Details:

This position is located at the University of Alaska campus in Anchorage, and flexible on-site/hybrid work arrangements may be considered in accordance with UA regulations. This is a full-time, term-funded, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 84, based on education and experience.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please attach a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three (3) professional references with your application.

This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a successful candidate is identified. Review of application materials will begin immediately. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient and viable number of qualified candidates have been identified.

To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE .

• ️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Helen Sale, HR Coordinator, at 907-786-6885.

• To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual:

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

• Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA : (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu.

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.

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