Director for Advancement, Graduate School

Job Description

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 opening for a Director for Advancement. This is a full-time permanent position.

The Director for Advancement is a leadership-level role responsible for generating individual and organizational 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. The Director manages sophisticated fundraising initiatives and complex gift strategies, primarily involving high-capacity individual donors and collaborates as needed on corporate and foundation engagement. This role works with the Dean of the Graduate School and the Assistant Vice Provost for Academic & Student Affairs Advancement to help elevate the profile of graduate education and design and implement development programs to sustain donor identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.

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 support the University’s commitment to educational excellence and opportunity by advancing strategies that attract, engage and foster the success of a diverse and talented student community.

What You Will Do

Fundraising (45%)

• Direct the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individual prospects, alumni and corporate partners.
• Manage a portfolio of prospects, with an emphasis on high capacity-level donors.
• Create and execute strategies to build strong, long-term relationships between unit leaders and donor 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 Academic and Student Affairs Advancement and the Dean of the Graduate School to establish short- and long-term advancement goals, annual objectives, strategies and an operating plan aligned with institutional priorities.
• Develop and implement an integrated communications strategy to promote fundraising priorities, donor impact and engagement opportunities in support of graduate education.
• Partner with UW Retirement Association leadership to engage members as advocates and philanthropic supporters of graduate education through targeted outreach, stewardship and engagement strategies.
• Provide strategic oversight of the Graduate School Advancement budget, ensuring alignment of resources with fundraising priorities, engagement strategies and stewardship initiatives and advising leadership on adjustments that support advancement goals. 
• Regularly review donor portfolio trends and giving histories to inform fundraising strategy, pipeline development and stewardship approaches, translating insights into actions that strengthen relationship management and philanthropic outcomes. 

Engagement & Communications (20%)

• 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.

Leadership and Team Management (10%)

• 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 teams across campus on shared initiatives.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications will not be forwarded to the Hiring Department.

Bachelor’s degree AND at least six years of experience in development/advancement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience cultivating and soliciting major gifts, preferably in an R1 higher education environment.
• Ability to manage, develop, mentor and coach staff and colleagues on advancement principles.
• Ability to effectively communicate objectives, energize and inspire staff to achieve results and meet goals while creating a culture of trust and collaboration.
• Proven stakeholder management experience, including shaping consensus within groups with conflicting viewpoints.
• 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.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite for correspondence, special reports, spreadsheets, databases, forms, etc.
• Demonstrated creativity, organizational ability and strong attention to detail.

What You Can Expect

• On-site work schedule with some flexibility for telework.
• Cubicle/Open workspace environment which may result in additional or higher levels of noise and visual distractions.
• Some evening and weekend hours required, as necessary, for event support.
• Local and domestic travel required.

Recruiting Instruction

Please submit a cover letter that, in 500 words or less, describes why you are interested in this specific role with the UW Graduate School. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.

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Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$120,216.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$132,732.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

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.