"Alerted.org

Senior Director of Development

Categories: University Advancement

Position TitleSenior Director of Development

About the University

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

About the Department

University Advancement supportsWestern's mission (https://president.wwu.edu/mission-strategic-plan) , which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.

The Division of University Advancement (https://foundation.wwu.edu/advancement-staff) is comprised of 60+ staff members who support the engagement, philanthropy, communications and marketing work of the University. The five leadership units are: communications and marketing; major giving, planned giving and corporate/foundation relations; advancement data services, research and annual giving; engagement including donor relations, alumni and constituent relations, and career services; finance, accounting and administration. Current fundraising efforts are focused on the university’s top priority, scholarships to support student recruitment and retention. University Advancement's main offices are on Western's campus in Bellingham.

The Foundation for WWU and Alumni (https://foundation.wwu.edu/) oversees assets of nearly $150 million and is responsible for the outreach and engagement to over 150,000 alumni and friends of the institution. The Foundation is governed by a board of over 30 volunteers who help set strategic direction and policy, raise friends and funds, and steward the community of donors and potential donors.

About the PositionThe Senior Director of Development manages a team of fundraisers at the Director and Associate Director level with a goal of raising money for all colleges and programs across the university. They are responsible for mentoring their team members and ensuring the team achieves its annual fundraising goal. The Senior Director is the main liaison between Deans and Academic Partners and report to the Associate Vice President for Development for University Advancement. The Senior Director is a strategic partner to all academic and development professionals in securing philanthropic gifts, they represent University Advancement as leaders and partner with colleagues in University Advancement such as those in Prospect Research, Advancement Services, Planned Giving and Alumni Engagement.

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 for Development for 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

Leadership, Philanthropic Strategy, and Planning (40%)

+ 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.

+ Manages team of fundraisers at the Director and Associate Director level

+ 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.

Fundraising (40%)

+ 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.

Prospect Management (20%)

+ 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

Required Qualifications

+ Bachelor’s degree

+ 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

Preferred Qualifications

+ Experience with a Customer Relationship Management System (CRM)

+ 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

Conditions of EmploymentAll employees must comply with our Immunization policies, includingProof of Rubeola Measles Immunity (https://policy.wwu.edu/POL-U1300.01-Requiring-Proof-Of-Rubeola-Measles-Immunity) within 60-days of hire. Please reach out [email protected] you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.

Salary Hiring range is $102,954 - $118,398/year depending on qualifications and experience. Through longevity position tops out at $133,840/year.

Benefits Information

Benefits Overview for Administrative Professional Position (https://hr.wwu.edu/files/2022-01/Benefits%20-%20Professional%20Staff.pdf) .

Application Instructions

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

Closing Date NotesThis position is being assisted by Greenwood Asher & Associates. Applications must be submitted through their website: https://www.greenwoodsearch.com/current-opportunities/senior-director-of-development

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class (https://policy.wwu.edu/POL-U1600.02-Prohibiting-Discrimination-Based-on-A-Protected-Class-Interim) andProhibiting Discrimination Based on Sex (https://policy.wwu.edu/POL-U1600.04-Prohibiting-Discrimination-Based-on-Sex-Interim) . 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); [email protected]

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 (https://hr.wwu.edu/workplace-accommodation) ,360.650.3751or 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 Student Affairs [email protected]. The report can be found at:Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (https://studentaffairs.wwu.edu/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 asexual misconduct background check (https://hr.wwu.edu/sexual-misconduct-background-checks) .

Job no: 502654

Advertised: Nov 17 2025 09:00 Pacific Standard Time

Applications close: