As a senior development officer, this position is charged with creating and implementing a comprehensive development program for their team, to engage and solicit alumni, parents, friends, community members, business, and civic leaders to achieve the fundraising goals for Western. The Senior Director of Development is personally responsible for soliciting and closing major gifts of $25,000 or more, with a specific focus on principal gift prospects starting at the $250,000 level. Furthering Western’s mission requires strategy, creativity, and innovation, which are cultivated by an inclusive, diverse environment that respects and appreciates differences. Western is seeking professionals for these positions who will also contribute to our mission of enhancing, increasing, and supporting a diverse and inclusive environment.

This is a full-time position reporting to the Associate Vice President of University Advancement. Annual success metrics are determined from both the activities associated with fundraising and the actual fundraising results of the team. The Senior Director of Development is responsible for the discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Western donors. In this ever-changing profession, multiple channels are utilized to connect with and cultivate donors, including face-to-face, phone and video, with a key success metric focused on substantial contacts. This position requires travel in and out of state with a heavy focus on the Puget Sound area.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

40% Leadership, Philanthropic Strategy, and Planning

• Responsible for the design and implementation of a comprehensive development plan to increase philanthropic support for funding priorities established by the University and Academic Partners.
• Member of the leadership team at University Advancement
• Manages team of fundraisers at the Director and Associate Director Level, and Development Assistant
• Responsible for coaching, mentoring, and developing team members
• Responsible for annual planning and ensuring the team achieves its annual fundraising goals and metrics
• Serves as primary liaison between Deans and academic partners; works with the Deans, department chairs and Institute directors to shape fundraising priorities and campaigns
• Serves as a coach and strategic partner to all academic partners and development professionals in securing philanthropic gifts and enhancing donor relationships
• Ensures work is consistent with UA policies and procedures.

40% Fundraising

• Focus on strategically identifying, engaging, qualifying, cultivating and soliciting prospects for gifts with a focus on principal gift prospects at the $250,000 level.
• Travel regionally and nationally to connect personally with constituents.
• Complete at least 60-90 substantial contacts and 15-20 major gift solicitations per year.
• Prepare written proposals, background reports, meeting briefs, impact reports and other development materials for use during donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• One Team, Our Team. Work collaboratively with members of the Annual Giving, Corporations and Foundation Relations, Donor Relations, Alumni Engagement, Communications, and Special Events teams in order to further the fundraising goals for the University.
• Develop effective fundraising strategies in coordination and collaboration with the Associate Vice President of Development and members of the University Advancement team.
• Works directly with Prospect Research Department to manage portfolios for the members of their team and helps to identify new donors as well as establish strategies for donors who should be moved along the donor engagement process
• Works with the Donor Relations Team to ensure donors are appropriately recognized and stewarded. Follow up with donors and prospects in a timely manner. Steward donors by consistently and thoughtfully reporting on impact in creative and meaningful ways.
• Cultivate relationships with diverse communities and individuals that have not otherwise been approached.

20% Prospect Management

• In collaboration with the Director of Prospect Research, build, develop, and manage a portfolio of 50-100 major and principal gift prospects for themselves and their team.
• Utilizing the Advancement CRM, record and track all donor activity and analyze donor information for increased donor participation; review team performance metrics and provide coaching and timely feedback on prospect management.
• Prioritize reporting activities and recording asks in the database and ensure the same for their direct reports

• At least 5 years of experience in successful frontline fundraising for a university or nonprofit organization.

• Strong interpersonal skills and a customer service orientation.

• Poised, professional manner with the ability to express oneself clearly and empathetically in interactions with others including written and in-person.

• Demonstrated proficiency in using technology – such as Microsoft Office suite, Teams and Zoom.

• Ability to travel (including a valid driver’s license at time of hire) at least once a week within Washington State, and outside the state for overnight travel.

• Proven success in face-to-face asks and the closing of gifts valued at $25,000 and above

• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends

• Management Experience

• Proven success working with principal giving level donors ($250,000)

• Experience working on a large-scale, organized fundraising campaign

• Experience with mentoring and coaching colleagues and administrators

Hiring range for position is $100,443 - $115,510/year.  Through longevity position tops out at $130,576/year.

Benefits Overview for Administrative Professional Position.

Application materials should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services at vpsa.office@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a sexual misconduct background check.