Director of Development - Foundation

Renton Technical College•3000 NE 4th Street Renton, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Renton Technical College is seeking a Director of Development to advance the Foundation's mission and strategic priorities. In partnership with the Foundation team, this position will focus on key areas including fostering industry and community partnerships, developing student support grants, event sponsorships, and strengthening donor communication and stewardship. The Director will develop and implement strategies, campaigns, and engagement activities that deepen relationships, expands external networks, and secures contributions. This includes planning and implementing the annual giving campaign to support scholarships, student grants, and employee engagement. The Director of Development will also provide leadership, direction, and supervision to the Scholarship & Grants Manager, ensuring the effective administration of scholarship and grant programs, alignment of donor intent with award distribution, compliance with Foundation and College policies, and achievement of Foundation goals related to student support and donor stewardship.

Requirements

Experience with persons from diverse backgrounds such as sexual orientation, racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, gender, age, socio-economic, physical and learning abilities, and a commitment to an inclusive and equitable working / learning environment.
Minimum three years of demonstrated professional fundraising experience and success in annual, or major giving, or corporate events and partnership development programs.
Strong knowledge of fundraising principles and techniques, including donor management and donor stewardship best practices.
Knowledge of marketing and communication strategies related to donor acquisition, retention, and engagement. This includes dynamic storytelling abilities (public speaking, written, and digital) to effectively connect the community with college programs.
Exceptional relationship-building skills, and solicitation acumen.
Ability to steward a diverse portfolio of donors and prospects.
Strong written and verbal communication skills for creating compelling appeals, donor correspondence, newsletters, presentations, and campaign messaging.
Experience with data analysis and reporting to interpret donor trends, track campaign performance, and inform fundraising strategies.
Ability to manage a donor portfolio and advance appropriate next steps for cultivation, solicitation, or referral to leadership.
Ability to design and execute donor engagement and stewardship events that strengthen donor relationships and retention.
Demonstrated ability to use judgment and discretion in donor interactions and confidential information.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.
Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative advancement team in support of fundraising efforts.
Demonstrated ability to promote universal design and accessibility.
Proficiency in (or ability to learn within 6 month of hire) the production of accessibly content, whether print or electronic.
Ability to represent the college in a positive and professional manner, while using tact, discretion and courtesy.
The person hired is required to provide authorization for employment in the United States.
All offers of employment are contingent to background checks, including employment and required degree/credential verification.
Finalists are required to complete the Sexual Misconduct Disclosure form as required under RCW 288.112.080.
Post offer, pre-employment criminal background checks are also required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Non-Profit Leadership, or another related field.
Credentialed as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) or other recognized fundraising credential.
Demonstrated experience serving in volunteer leadership or management roles through nonprofit Boards or civic organizations.
Proficiency using standard CRM and donor database platforms such as Bloomerang and Raisers Edge.
Experience working in a 501(c)(3) public charity organization within an institution of higher learning.

Responsibilities

Develops and executes an annual giving solicitation plan for the fiscal year that includes fundraising strategies aimed at donors, industry and business partners, employees and retirees, in support of scholarships and direct student support grants.
Cultivates, solicits and stewards donors and prospects through targeted appeals and campaigns, individual meetings, and written appeals.
Manages a portfolio of annual giving prospects and helps qualify prospective donors.
Plans appropriate next steps for leadership annual giving prospects which may include personally soliciting a gift, personalized engagement, or recommending the Executive Director or Board members cultivate the relationship.
Manages and serves as the contact for all annual giving campaigns and stewardship activities and events.
Develop sponsorship strategies to secure financial support for foundation events that support scholarships, programs, and initiatives.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate sponsors, community partners, and industry stakeholders, and ensure fulfillment of sponsorship agreements.
Build and manage a sponsorship pipeline, including prospect research, outreach, proposal development, and closing sponsorship commitments.
Serve as the primary point of contact for event sponsors and industry partners and work collaboratively with the Board Events Committee to achieve event goals.
Develop marketing plans for donor acquisitions and renewals through e-solicitations and direct mail. This includes writing and editing appeal content and overseeing mailing procedures.
Supports efforts with the design and implementation of the Foundation marketing and communications including newsletters, collateral material, web content, social media, and annual reports.
Supports the gift acknowledgement and donor engagement process with donor database management activities.
Analyzes data to identify prospective donors for appeals and special projects, reports on and track campaigns, and generates a variety of reports to track donors and giving.
Monitors data trends in annual donor activities to build and maintain donor retention and donor database.
Provide donor reports demonstrating the impact of their investment on students and programs.
Provides direct supervision to the Scholarship & Grants Manager, including training, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
Serves as an active and collaborative team member, participating in College and Foundation events and responding to inquiries and questions for fundraising support.
Support the College's mission by creating a learning and work environment of mutual respect and fairness, while encouraging creative and critical thinking.
Contribute to the appreciation of diversity and foster a climate of multicultural understanding.
Keeps current with the College’s priorities and initiatives and represents the College and Foundation in a positive fashion.
Communicate professionally and effectively, both orally and in writing, with college employees, departments and outside stakeholders.
Perform other related projects and assignments as assigned.