Director for Development, Global Affairs

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Washington (UW) is seeking a Director for Development, Global Affairs. This is a full-time permanent position within UW Global, which serves as the university's hub for international engagement. The Director will be responsible for leading advancement efforts for UW Global and its international education initiatives. This role involves designing and implementing development strategies, managing donor and prospect relationships, and coordinating fundraising efforts to support student success, academic excellence, and institutional priorities. The position requires senior-level leadership in philanthropic strategy, focusing on major and principal gifts, and advancing global affairs and education as essential components of student success and UW's global public institution role.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field
Five years of experience in development
Proven success securing major and principal gifts
Managing complex donor portfolios
Strong understanding of development and stewardship principles
Demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking, judgement, and excellent communication skills
Experience with global affairs, global education, or international programs
Experience in cross-cultural contexts and within large, complex organizations such as academic institutions
Demonstrated commitment to student access, equity, and inclusion
Ability to work evening and weekend hours, as necessary, on short or limited notice
Occasional local/domestic/international travel expected
Cover letter explaining alignment with front-line fundraising, interest in the role, UW, and the Office of Global Affairs.

Responsibilities

Lead and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy supporting the university’s global engagement strategies, UW Global, and global education priorities, managing a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, including six-figure and transformational commitments.
Build and advance a robust pipeline by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors across individual, corporate, foundation, and public sectors, using research, analytics, and faculty and advancement partnerships.
Develop compelling cases for support and lead capital campaign and advisory efforts, aligning donor interests with institutional priorities and strengthening regional and national engagement networks.
Advance integrated funding priorities across global engagement and education, including experiential learning (study abroad, internships, local global experiences, etc), international student support, and cross-unit initiatives that expand access, strengthen belonging, and support scalable program models.
Strategically cultivate and deepen relationships with local and global civic and corporate positioning UW as a leader in global engagement and aligning shared interests with philanthropic and partnership opportunities.
Lead annual fundraising planning, including goal setting, forecasting, and performance evaluation, while maintaining accurate reporting and compliance.
Inform long-term philanthropic strategy and institutional planning, aligning fundraising efforts with UW Global priorities and broader advancement goals.
Oversee annual philanthropic initiatives, ensuring alignment with fundraising strategy and contributing to communications and marketing efforts that elevate impact.
Build and maintain strong connections across academic units, administrative partners, and advancement teams, aligning fundraising efforts across campus.
Form strategic internal partnerships (e.g., CIRCLE, Uplift UW, International Student Services) to support a coordinated and cohesive global education funding strategy.
Design and implement long-term donor and alumni engagement strategies, translating complex global initiatives into clear, compelling narratives.
Create meaningful opportunities for donor connection and activate alumni as advocates, mentors, and philanthropic partners, ensuring strong stewardship and recognition practices.