Senior Director of Development - Now Hiring

Western Washington University

Senior Director of Development

 

Western Washington University (WWU), a nationally recognized institution with nearly 15,000 students, is inviting nominations and applications for the Senior Director of Development. Located in beautiful Bellingham, WA, a coastal community of 90,000, Western is committed to academic excellence, inclusive achievement, and making a positive impact across Washington and beyond.

 

About the Position: The Senior Director of Development manages a team of fundraisers with a goal of raising money for all colleges and programs across WWU and is a strategic partner to all academic and development professionals in securing philanthropic gifts. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development, the Senior Director will play a pivotal role in building relationships, mentoring colleagues, and closing major gifts ($25,000+), with an emphasis on principal gifts at the $250,000+ level.

 

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Design and implementation of comprehensive development plans.
• Managing, coaching, and mentoring development team members and ensuring the team achieves its annual fundraising goals and metrics.
• Serve as primary liaison between deans and academic partners.
• Focus on strategically identifying, engaging, qualifying, cultivating and soliciting prospects for gifts.
• Work collaboratively with members of the Annual Giving, Corporations and Foundation Relations, Donor Relations, Alumni Engagement, Communications, and Special Events team in order to further fundraising goals for the university.

 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 5 years of experience in successful frontline fundraising for a university or nonprofit organization.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a customer service orientation.
• Poised, professional manner with the ability to express oneself clearly and empathetically in interactions with others including written and in-person.
• Demonstrated proficiency in using technology – such as Microsoft Office suite, Teams, and Zoom.
• Ability to travel (including a valid driver’s license at time of hire) at least once a week within Washington State, and outside the state for overnight travel.
• Proven success in face-to-face asks and the closing of gifts valued at $25,000 and above.
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends.
• Management experience.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with a Customer Relationship Management System (CRM).
• Proven success working with principal giving level donors ($250,000).
• Experience working on a large-scale, organized fundraising campaign.
• Experience with mentoring and coaching colleagues and administrators.

 

Salary & Benefits:

• Hiring range is $102,954 - $118,398/year depending on qualifications and experience.  Through longevity position tops out at $133,840/year.

 

The full position profile can be accessed at .

 

Application & Nomination Process

Greenwood Asher & Associates® is assisting Western Washington University in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. To ensure full consideration, applications and nominations should be provided by December 4, 2025. Application materials should include:

• Letter of interest that clearly states the applicant’s qualifications for the position
• Current résumé/curriculum vitae
• A list of three professional references

 

Please submit full application packets .

 

We strongly encourage submitting application materials as PDF attachments. The search will be conducted with a commitment of confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected.

 

Nominations and confidential inquires can be sent to:

Jim Johnsen, Vice President of Executive Search

 

Kyle Pybus-Jerome, Senior Executive Search Consultant

 

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on  and . Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); 

 

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact , or 711 (Washington Relay).

 

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of Student Life at . The report can be found at: .

 

Conditions of Employment: All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to  if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.

 

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a .

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