Director for Advancement, Graduate School

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 University Advancement . 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 culture of belonging 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.

  The Graduate School has an exciting opportunity for a Director for Advancement. This is a full-time permanent position. 

The Director is a leadership-level position responsible for attracting individual and corporate support, enhancing marketing and communications strategies, and strengthening advocacy and engagement among alumni and community partners to advance graduate education at the University of Washington.

In addition to supporting the Graduate School (GS), this role also serves on the executive leadership team for Academic and Student Affairs (ASA) Advancement to help deliver on the UW’s mission to recruit, retain and successfully graduate a diverse and talented student body.

This role works with the Dean of the Graduate School and the Assistant Vice Provost for Advancement to help elevate the profile of graduate education, and design and implement development programs to sustain donor identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.

What You Will Do:

Fundraising (45%)

•     Direct the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects, alumni and corporations by developing relationships with those who can make transformational gifts. 

•     Manage a portfolio of prospects, with an emphasis on high capacity-level gifts. Create and execute strategies to build strong, long-term relationships between unit leaders and prospects.

•     Utilize the University’s prospect management and tracking system to maintain accurate data.

Strategy, Engagement and Planning (20%)

•     Work closely with the Assistant Vice Provost for ASA and the Dean of the Graduate School to establish annual goals, objectives, strategies, and operations plan for the units’ advancement activities.

•     Work on an integrated communications plan to promote fundraising priorities and objectives. 

•     Work closely with UW Retirement Association leadership to engage members to activate their advocacy and support for graduate education.

Leadership and Team Management (15%)

•     Lead and support a team that implements all aspects of the Graduate School’s advancement programs, including annual gifts, major and planned gifts, corporate and foundation gifts, donor recognition and stewardship.

•     Work closely with the Achievement Reward for College Scientists (ARCS) liaison to support our partnership with the Seattle chapter.

•     Collaborate with advancement officers as their units develop and pursue student success and diversity goals at the graduate level.

Engagement (15%)

•     Contribute to strategic planning by helping determine value-add funding needs and priorities for graduate student success including fellowships, Top Scholar Program, Office of Graduate Student Equity & Excellence (GSEE) and Office of Public Lectures.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree AND at least six years of progressively responsible experience in development/advancement.
• Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

What You Bring:

•     Experience cultivating, and soliciting major gifts, preferably in an R1 higher education environment.

•     Ability and commitment to managing, developing, mentoring and coaching staff and colleagues on fundraising principles.

•     Ability to effectively communicate objectives, energize and inspire staff to achieve results and meet goals while creating a culture of trust and collaboration across units.

•     Ability to shape consensus among multiple stakeholders with potentially conflicting viewpoints. 

•     Demonstrated creativity, organizational ability and strong attention to detail.

•     Ability to make decisions and meet goals in ambiguous situations while exercising good, data-informed judgment in a fast paced, dynamic and deadline driven environment.

•     Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite for correspondence, special reports, spreadsheets, databases, forms, etc.

•     Graduate level or higher degree is preferred.

What You Can Expect:

•     Some evening and weekend hours required, as necessary, for event support.

•     Local and domestic travel required.

Application Process: 

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law