Director of the Center for Business Law and Leadership

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Director of the Center for Business Law and Leadership within Lewis & Clark Law School is a half-time (.5 FTE) position for a 1 year term (with benefits), with the possibility of a future term extension and expansion to FTE, if funding is secured. The position reports directly to the Faculty Director of the Center for Business Law and Leadership. This role is primarily responsible for increasing visibility, engagement, and financial support for the Center by cultivating relationships with alumni, law firms, business leaders, foundations, and community partners, while coordinating and supporting the Innovation Board's philanthropic and outreach efforts. The ideal candidate will possess an entrepreneurial mindset, experience in fundraising or external relations, and familiarity with the Oregon business and legal community. To be successful in this position, the individual must excel at building authentic relationships, translating the Center's mission into compelling opportunities for support, working independently in a part-time capacity, and activating networks to grow both "friendraising" and fundraising efforts that sustain and expand the Center's impact.

The Center for Business Law and Leadership, "developing legal leaders who shape the future of business," prepares the next generation of legal professionals to become the trusted advisors and decision-makers for tomorrow's most dynamic companies. By combining hands-on experience, classroom learning, and mentorship from business leaders, we help students turn their legal training into a launchpad for building, scaling, and guiding organizations that create lasting value across industries and communities. The CBLL Innovation Board, comprised of business legal leaders, builds the connections with the business community and the law school.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Fundraising & Engagement

• Cultivate and manage a focused portfolio of alumni, donors, law firms, and community members with interest and capacity to support the Center.
• Conduct discovery visits and relationship-building meetings to identify philanthropic intent and partnership opportunities.
• Design and implement personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that translate the Center's mission into meaningful support.
• Partner with the Law School Development team to align outreach efforts, share prospect intelligence, and coordinate donor strategy.
• Represent the Center in conversations that advance both "friendraising" and fundraising goals.

Foundation, Corporate, and Public Grant Development

• Research and identify private foundation, corporate, and public funding opportunities that support entrepreneurship and legal education in Oregon.
• Collaborate with the Director of Corporate and Foundations Relations to secure invitations and prepare competitive proposals.
• Contribute to grant applications that support the Center and the Small Business Legal Clinic.
• Map public funding streams and cultivate connections with agencies and organizations aligned with the Center's purpose.

Innovation Board Leadership & Coordination

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Innovation Board and its committees.
• Facilitate board engagement by identifying philanthropic interests and supporting personal giving plans.
• Activate board members' professional networks to expand awareness and support for the Center.
• Coordinate board communications, meeting agendas, logistics, and follow-up actions.
• Support recruitment of new board members to expand the Center's reach and influence.

Community Engagement & External Relations

• Represent the Center at business, legal, and community events to increase visibility and partnerships.
• Strengthen relationships between the Law School, alumni, and the Oregon business community.
• Identify opportunities for externships, mentorships, symposia, and experiential learning partnerships that will benefit law students.

Strategic Planning, Reporting & Administration

• Track fundraising activity, prospect engagement, and external relations progress using appropriate reporting methods.
• Prepare regular updates and status reports for the Innovation Board and Law School leadership.
• Develop short- and long-term plans that position the Center for sustainable growth and potential expansion of the role.
• Coordinate administrative support for board committees and related Center initiatives.

Other Duties as Assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & BEHAVIORS

• Proficient understanding of fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, and philanthropic relationship management within higher education or nonprofit environments.
• Excellent communication that engages attorneys, business leaders, alumni, and community partners with clarity and professionalism.
• Superior relationship-building that fosters trust, credibility, and long-term engagement with supporters and stakeholders.
• Extremely strong entrepreneurial mindset that approaches program growth with creativity, initiative, and resourcefulness.
• Proficient knowledge of the Oregon business, legal, and economic development landscape and key community partners.
• Excellent collaboration with development professionals, faculty leadership, and external partners to align outreach efforts.
• Superior organization and time management that supports independent work in a part-time structure while maintaining momentum.
• Proficient use of donor and relationship management systems such as Slate, Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, or similar Constituent Relationship Management platforms.
• Excellent preparation of written materials, reports, and correspondence using tools such as Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Superior professionalism and discretion when handling sensitive donor and institutional information.
• Extremely thoughtful engagement that promotes an inclusive and respectful workplace culture.
• Proficient strategic thinking that connects long-term goals with daily relationship-building efforts.
• Excellent adaptability when navigating evolving priorities and emerging opportunities.
• Superior follow-through that ensures consistent communication, documentation, and stewardship practices.

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree.
• Three years of experience in fundraising, business development, external relations, or relationship management.
• Experience cultivating relationships with donors, alumni, business leaders, or community partners.
• Experience working independently and advancing initiatives with limited supervision.

PREFERRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree or Juris Doctor.
• Five years of experience in fundraising, advancement, grant development, or philanthropic engagement.
• Experience securing major gifts or grants.
• Knowledge of the Oregon business, legal, or economic development community.
• Experience working in higher education settings.
• Preferred Tec: Colleague, Slate, Taskstream, Raiser's Edge or similar Constituent Relationship Management system

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full Time/Part Time: Part Time
• Schedule: Approximately twenty hours per week; schedule to be determined in coordination with the supervisor based on program and donor engagement needs
• Benefit Eligible: Yes
• Travel: Occasional local travel within the Portland metropolitan area for donor meetings, board meetings, and community events
• Hybrid/Remote: This position is primarily in person, housed at the Small Business Legal Clinic offices in Portland, with limited hybrid flexibility based on departmental needs and college policy

PAY RATE

• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Starting at $36,500 per year, with consideration for experience

Directions for Cover Letter

Please include a cover letter describing your interest in joining Lewis & Clark and the ways you can contribute to a culture of inclusion on our campus.

Attention Current Lewis & Clark College Employees: In order to apply for posted positions, please apply internally in Workday in the Jobs Hub.

*Please include a Cover Letter