Director of Development
$130–$160,000 year
HybridSeattle, Washington, United States
Job Summary
Lead and grow a $3.66M annual fundraising portfolio across major gifts, leadership giving, events, sponsorships, grants, and annual giving. Personally manage a portfolio of approximately 100 top donors and prospects, including 25 co-managed relationships with the CEO and Board, while building a multiyear strategy to transition from capital campaign mode to sustained operational philanthropy. Provide strategic oversight of a full-function development team, assess functional gaps, and lead the buildout of new roles in data strategy, corporate relations, and grants. Design stewardship pathways for campaign contributions and secured grants, and provide strategic direction for signature fundraising events like the Pier Party and Dinner with Friends. Ensure accurate tracking of fundraising activities, CRM hygiene, and compliance with donor records standards. Collaborate with Marketing to ensure messaging consistency and support Board members and volunteers in their fundraising roles.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible fundraising experience
- Demonstrated success securing major gifts and managing a diverse fundraising portfolio
- Proven track record in individual major gifts, donor cultivation, and relationship-based fundraising
- Demonstrated fluency across all major development functions, including major gifts, annual giving, grants, events, corporate relations/sponsorships, and data/operations
- Experience directly supervising staff and developing high performing teams
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency with Salesforce or a comparable CRM
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams and with high level volunteer leaders, including board members and development committee members
- A commitment to incorporating the practices and ethos of Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) in all facets of your work
- Must have the ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple priorities with flexibility and follow through
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
Desired Qualifications
- High emotional intelligence, with a demonstrated ability to build trust quickly, lead through change, and navigate complex internal and external relationships with confidence, patience, and care
- Lived experience and cultural competency with underrepresented communities, including Black, Indigenous, Latine, disabled, and/or LGBTQ+ communities, and the ability to bring this lens to conversations about anti-racism, anti-oppression and embedding equity in all aspects of work
- Experience in the Seattle or Pacific Northwest philanthropic community
- Familiarity with park, public space, cultural, or place-based organizations
Hiring someone like this?
Get your role in front of qualified candidates on Sorce.