DIRECTOR FOR PHILANTHROPY (Major Gift Officer)

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

For over 160 years, the University of Washington has been a hub for learning, innovation, problem solving and community building. Supporting this legacy and important public mission—with the goal of making the UW the world’s greatest public university, as measured by positive impact—guides everything we do in . Bringing together development; alumni and stakeholder engagement; marketing and communications; and advancement operations, we advance the UW’s impact by developing meaningful connections that foster pride, advocacy and philanthropic support.

The mission of the Development team is to facilitate private resources to enhance and protect the University’s reputation and support equitable community building and service. This starts with creating a within our organization that values the diverse experiences and expertise of our team members, allowing everyone to thrive and to contribute their unique talents as we strive to achieve our shared goals.

University Advancement has an exciting opening for a Director for Philanthropy. This is a full-time permanent position.

The Director for Philanthropy (DOP) works closely with the Assistant Vice President for Units and Strategic Development Initiatives (AVP) to raise major gifts for the UW Welcome Center and future strategic development projects. This front-line fundraising position will work independently and in collaboration with the AVP and key partners to qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospective donors.

This role collaborates with and supports the AVP in staffing executive leaders and will play a primary role in partnering with the UW Alumni Association (UWAA) volunteers as a leader in all stages of the fundraising process, particularly focusing on volunteer-driven solicitations toward a fundraising goal. The DOP will proactively qualify and solicit a large portfolio of prospective donors for the project. This position will actively communicate and collaborate with fundraisers and integrated staff across the UW to ensure coordinated and successful fundraising outcomes.

What You Will Do:

Frontline Fundraising (85%)

•Manage a large portfolio of prospects, with an emphasis on major-level gifts ($100k+). •Direct the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of a portfolio of prospective donors by developing or facilitating relationships that lead to positive fundraising outcomes. •Develop and implement compelling solicitation strategies for each assigned major gift prospect taking into account established best practices and performance metrics. This includes ensuring substantive contacts are made, with an emphasis on personal visits. •Prepare written and verbal proposals, case statements, concept/informational materials, endowment agreements, gift illustrations and other materials needed to define, document, secure, and steward gifts and grants. •Coordinate donor visits and events with University representatives including facilitating and participating in donor visits and preparing donor briefings and cultivation strategies. Serve as primary staff partner to UWAA volunteers in all stages of the philanthropic process. •Professionally articulate and advocate for the university’s mission and funding priorities. •Generate new leads and qualify major gift prospects and planned gifts from research, prospect tracking tools, donor base, faculty networks and fundraising colleagues. •Record and track donor activities, ensuring accurate and complete record-keeping and associated donor acknowledgements.

Strategy and Program Development (10%)

•Participate in devising an annual plan for Welcome Center fundraising, including outlining goals, objectives and strategies, as well as policies and procedures in support of University Advancement. Analyze relevant data to support strategic planning and decision-making. •Discern and inform strategy development to promote philanthropic priorities. •Provide direction in designing and implementing advancement programs to sustain and increase support for university-wide fundraising initiatives. •Participate in and contribute to meetings and activities that support and inform fundraising strategies and priorities.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree AND at least five years of progressively responsible experience in institutional development/advancement or a related field, with an emphasis on cultivating and soliciting major gifts.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

What You Bring:

•Previous individual, corporate and foundation donor discovery experience. •Experience working with volunteers. •Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

What You Can Expect:

•Cubicle/Open workspace environment which may result in additional or higher levels of noise and visual distractions. •Ability to work evening and weekend hours, as necessary, on short or limited notice. •Frequent local and domestic travel independently expected.