SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PRINCIPAL GIVING
Req #: | 177164 |
Department: | UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT |
Job Location: | Seattle Campus |
Posting Date: | 02/24/2020 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | Salary is commensurate with experience and education |
Shift: | First Shift |
Notes: | As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here. |
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. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for six consecutive years.
University Advancement has an outstanding opportunity for a Senior Director of Principal Giving.
The Principal Giving Team partners with high capacity donors and prospective donors to deepen their relationships with the University of Washington. In collaboration with unit colleagues and UW leadership, we create the framework that inspires transformational and impactful giving.
The Principal Giving team proactively focuses on UW donors and prospects that have the capacity and affinity to make transformational and/or legacy gifts to any area of the UW. This program was built on a belief in the power of ongoing, high touch relationships with these donors and prospects. The position will work collaboratively with the Assistant Vice President for Principal Giving, the Principal Giving team, Advancement leadership, academic leaders, staff, volunteers and members of Development Programs.
The Senior Director of Principal Giving will work to manage relationships with individuals and families who are part of the UW’s Principal Giving prospect pool. This includes the charge to identify, steward, cultivate and solicit individuals or families who typically have rated capacity of at least $5M and will benefit from a high-touch, life-long relationship. This senior level position will be fundraiser, chief strategist, convener, communicator, and facilitator, ensuring that we are charting a path for the development of meaningful relationships and actively aligning those relationships to areas of passion.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Frontline Fundraising and Relationship Management
Manage a portfolio of principal giving prospects (PGP). Facilitate, support or participate in donor visits with University representatives as necessary to build life-long relationships that lay the foundation for the invitation to make a transformative investment(s). Create for each PGP an individualized and sophisticated cultivation and solicitation plan, in consultation with any/all of the following: the President, Provost, and Senior Vice President for Advancement, Advancement colleagues from Schools, Colleges and programs, Deans, Faculty and/or key volunteers. Work closely with colleagues to prepare briefings, talking points, written proposals, informational materials, endowment agreements, gift illustrations and other materials needed to secure gifts. Ensure transparent communication to all colleagues across UW concerning aspirations or pathways the institution may have in mind for any given prospect. Participate cooperatively in the University’s prospect management and tracking system.
Strategy Development
Drive the creation, documentation and implementation of informed, long-range strategies for principal giving prospects – strategies that honor their passions & respect their multiple interests, strategies designed to bridge external interests with institutional priorities, & strategies that allow our donors to stretch their philanthropic partnership with UW. Provide strategic leadership to advancement colleagues, deans, faculty and administrators in designing and implementing steps needed to sustain these strategies and the gifts that may result. Convene strategy sessions and similar meetings as needed to achieve consensus on a direction forward for each prospect, and to ensure full transparency.
Cultivation, Solicitation and Stewardship
Maintain focus on a limited portfolio of principal giving donors; engage some donors directly and build 1:1 relationship, and for other donors provide background support and preparation. Work with the UW’s donor relations program to actively steward donors in a personal and customized way. Track steps and outcomes, and regularly coordinate with front-line fundraisers across UW to ensure that information is disseminated and current. Be able to navigate complex conversations with a variety of stakeholders, and to juggle numerous solicitation steps at any time.
Events and PGP Pipeline
Work with the PGP team and other major gift officers to identify and cultivate potential future principal giving prospects based on rising capacity, increasing philanthropy and/or family legacy.
Work in close collaboration with a leadership volunteer committee to co-direct and implement annual dinner series. The Next Course (TNC) is a series of ‘salon style’ dinners hosted in private home settings each Spring that showcase the University of Washington’s preeminent faculty, cutting-edge research, innovative thinking and global impact. This premier UW engagement program provides an opportunity for UW to open its doors to our community and invite them to discover how the UW is relevant, current, contemporary, and changing the way people live, think and work. This engagement program targets the UW’s next generation of potential impact gift donors. The Senior Director will work on this series in partnership with other members of the Principal Giving team.
Attend a variety of events as needed to represent principal giving, to support the office of the president, or unit colleagues with their donor outreach, or to host or engage with donors.
Program Development and Management
In consultation with the AVP, establish goals, objectives and strategies to guide activity.
Participate in assessing progress toward goals.
Submit regular activity reports to the AVP.
Other duties as assigned.
Key Competencies
Core
Effective communications: Expresses oneself clearly and empathetically in interactions with others in all forms of communication, i.e., verbal and written, one-on-one and group, etc.
Interpersonal Awareness: Builds and maintains positive relationships and actively contributes as a member of working teams to achieve results.
Professional Credibility: Takes responsibility for meeting goals, objectives, obligations, and solving problems while representing the mission, vision and values of the organization.
Critical Thinking: Obtains, analyzes and evaluates information effectively in the face of ambiguity. Makes appropriate decisions based on relevant information and experience.
Ethics and Trust: Models and upholds the values of candor, openness, inclusiveness and honesty despite internal and external pressures. Acts consistently with Washington State ethical guidelines and organizational core values and beliefs.
Valuing Diversity & Inclusiveness: Respects, values and contributes to the UW’s commitment to inclusiveness and diversity.
Fundraiser
Donor Focused: Establishes, cultivates and stewards strong relationships with donors and friends to build and maintain lifelong partnerships and trust with UW.
Results Oriented: Acts decisively to achieve results.
Planning & Implementing: Develops fundraising strategies and plans that integrate into the organization’s mission, priorities and goals.
Conflict Resolution: Works to resolve conflicts and differences through dialog and open communication in a timely manner. Sees every difference as an opportunity for growth and change.
Strategic
Visioning: Anticipates emerging trends and issues and develops a clear sense of purpose and goals that focus and drive the creative energy of the organization in alignment with the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
Organizational Acumen: Analyzes a situation, balances reason and the interest of others, and acts in a decisive, timely and appropriate manner that is congruent with the organization's values, goals and mission to achieve success.
Selflessness: Demonstrates ambition first and foremost for the organization and concern for its success rather than for one’s own personal gain.
Professional Will/Fearlessness: Displays an inner intensity and dedication to making everything the best that it can be. Shows resolve and determination to make the organization great.
Focused on Organizational Sustainability: Communicates uncompromising desire to make the organization even more successful in the next generation.
REQUIREMENTS:
• A bachelor’s degree and minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in development, with experience cultivating and soliciting major gifts. Equivalent combination of comparable knowledge and skills may substitute for education and/or experience.
• Requires knowledge of principal gift fundraising, subject-matter expertise, and an in-depth understanding of donor constituencies and the strategies that will best serve the fundraising mission. Six or more years of progressively responsible experience in institutional development, with an emphasis on cultivating and soliciting top institutional prospects.
• Position requires exemplary written and oral communication skills, exceptional political acumen, sensitivity, and negotiation skills. It requires the ability to work independently and creatively as well as on a team consisting of colleagues and volunteers at many levels.
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced, complex environment with frequently changing priorities.
• Proficiency using PC computers. Demonstrated strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for correspondence, special reports, spreadsheets, databases, forms, etc.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
DESIRED EXPERIENCE
• Fundraising experience in a higher education setting, an advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., law, business, etc.) and general knowledge of corporate and foundation fundraising and gift planning vehicles are desirable.
• Knowledge of alumni relations/development/advancement principles.
• Knowledge of UW Advancement policies and procedures, including use of the development database software ADVANCE.
Conditions of Employment
• Cubicle/Open workspace environment which may result in additional or higher levels of noise and visual distractions.
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours, as necessary, on short or limited notice.
• Must have regular and reliable transportation for local travel and willing to travel when necessary.
• Frequent local travel expected.
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 Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. 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 a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.