Director for Advancement

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Washington's University Advancement department is seeking a Director for Advancement for the College of Engineering. This role is crucial in supporting the university's legacy and public mission to be the world's greatest public university. The department integrates development, alumni engagement, marketing, communications, and operations to foster meaningful connections and philanthropic support. The Director for Advancement will serve as the lead fundraising strategist and primary fundraiser for the Kren Engineering-based Medicine Institute (KEMI), focusing on leveraging innovative technologies to solve health and disease challenges. This is a full-time, permanent position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in institutional advancement, preferably in higher education and/or health care, with an emphasis on frontline fundraising and soliciting major gifts.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated success securing major and principal gifts, including experience developing and closing gifts of $1 million or more through complex, collaborative prospect strategies.
Proven ability to establish, cultivate, solicit, and steward trust-based relationships with individual philanthropists.
Strong capability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships with academic leaders, administrators, and advancement partners across organizations.
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies aligned with organizational mission, priorities, and goals, both independently and in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Experience crafting compelling fundraising proposals and solicitation materials for individual donors.
Ability to work independently and proactively, exercising sound judgment, discretion, and initiative while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse internal and external stakeholders and navigate complex partnerships with tact and professionalism.
Demonstrated creativity, organizational strength, and attention to detail, including the ability to make informed decisions in ambiguous situations.
Knowledge of advancement principles within higher education, healthcare fundraising, or a related environment, including familiarity with the integrated advancement model.
Access to reliable transportation and ability to travel as needed for donor work.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of up to 125 prospects, primarily individual philanthropists, with occasional inclusion of strategic foundation and corporate donors.
Develop and carry out fundraising strategies to secure philanthropic support for KEMI, including gifts of $100,000+, in partnership with academic leaders, faculty, and advancement colleagues.
Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors through meaningful engagement, aligning donor interests with KEMI priorities.
Partner with academic leaders to shape and communicate a compelling case for support.
Plan and conduct prospect meetings and visits; prepare briefing materials and customized proposals; and support strategic cultivation and stewardship activities.
Support and design strategic cultivation and stewardship events.
Travel as needed to cultivate prospects, present proposals, and steward existing relationships.
Collaborate with advancement colleagues across the College of Engineering, UW Medicine, and University Advancement to coordinate donor engagement and ensure effective stewardship.
Identify and qualify new major gift prospects, including UW Medicine grateful patients and individuals identified through research.
Prepare timely impact and stewardship reports and ensure compliance with all University gift acceptance policies.
Provide strategic fundraising guidance in support of KEMI’s philanthropic priorities.
Support and encourage KEMI leadership, faculty, and advancement partners in fundraising efforts.
Use donor data to inform prospect strategy, prioritization, and outreach.
Assist with portfolio goal setting, monitor progress toward annual goals, and report on fundraising results.
Contribute to the development and execution of the annual KEMI fundraising plan.
Participate in University Advancement, College of Engineering, and KEMI meetings and events, as appropriate.
Engage in professional development activities.
Perform other related duties as assigned.