Western Washington University is seeking dynamic and strategic individuals to join their Major Gifts Team in Bellingham, WA, as they prepare for an exciting comprehensive campaign. The University is currently recruiting for two pivotal roles: Senior Director of Development and Director of Corporate Relations. These positions offer the opportunity to drive philanthropic support and create innovative pathways for growth. In these roles, you will collaborate with passionate deans and faculty, enhance donor pools, and strengthen stewardship programs. Support first-generation students and be a part of their vibrant, collaborative advancement division. This is your chance to join a thriving team and leave a legacy that will inspire for generations to come. Don’t miss out—seize the opportunity to shape the future with Western!

Another Source’s client, Western Washington University (WWU), is recruiting a Director of Corporate Relations to join their University Advancement team in Bellingham, WA. 

Here’s a little about Western Washington Universities Foundation and the position they are recruiting for:  

The Foundation was established in 1966 as a vehicle to receive and encourage private giving to WWU. In the past year, donors have provided $24 million to the University in the form of annual gifts, endowed gifts, estate gifts, and gifts in kind like real estate, equipment, and works of art. Gifts fund student scholarships, as well as provide support for programs, faculty, clubs, and teams. 

In 2023, The Foundation for WWU & Alumni was formed when the Foundation merged with the WWU Alumni Association. The Foundation for WWU & Alumni serves all alumni, donors and members of the WWU community from a single, streamlined organization. 

The Foundation is led by a group of dedicated board members who grow awareness of the importance of private support to public institutions. These alumni, parents, and community leaders bring their experiences in business, education, science, and non-profits, and share the common mission of engaging new friends for Western while also stewarding the more than $140 million in assets under the Foundation’s management. 

Learn more about Western Washington University here: https://foundation.wwu.edu/about  

About the Role: 

The Director of Corporate Relations reports to the Associate Vice President for Development. As a member of Western’s front line fundraising team, this position collaborates with Directors of Development and the Director of Annual Giving. The position works closely with Deans, Directors, Chairs and other campus leaders, including the AVP of Academic Affairs, to secure philanthropic support for projects, programs and activities. This position is crucial to meeting the mission of Western through the primary activity of seeking philanthropic support from corporations and corporate foundations.  

The position is responsible for developing and managing complex engagement strategies including facilitating connections between corporate partners and university resources. These connections are aimed at securing philanthropic support and may also lead to joint research projects, contracts, or senior/capstone projects that provide direct benefit the university and are central to the scholarly mission of the institution. The position is responsible for independent decision-making with regard to relationship management with external and campus partners. The position is responsible for representing the University in professional settings, with a specific focus on maintaining the visibility of the University in the greater King County metro area.  

As a frontline fundraiser, the position manages a pool of prospects with the capacity to make philanthropic investments at the major gift level ($25,000+) and has performance evaluation metrics that are consistent with Director of Development positions. 

How you will be spending your time:  

20% - Identification, discovery, and qualification of prospects:  

• Work with campus partners, board members, and prospect research team to establish lead and prospect portfolios   
• Review prospect background including stated goals for corporate social responsibility, past or current activity with the university, alumni connections, gift history   
• Contact prospects through various channels (email, LinkedIn, phone, and networking events) to secure initial meeting (in-person or virtual)   
• Implement discovery visits to qualify prospect based on affinity with university, interest in programming, and capacity to give 

20% - Cultivation of prospects with a goal to secure philanthropic gifts: 

• Build relationships with current and potential corporate partners   
• Share information about Western areas of research expertise, instrumentation, and industry relevant capabilities  
• Communicate the value of Western students as interns and the impact of alumni as employees within companies and industries   
• Explore alignment of philanthropic goals with Western programs, activities and projects   
• Connect corporate representatives with Western faculty and students, with an emphasis on leadership level connections   
• Engage corporate partners in conversations focused on the impact of philanthropy at Western 

20% - Soliciting major gifts from prospects through specific proposals:  

• Develop funding proposals that support face-to-face solicitations for philanthropic gifts   
• Partnering with deans, chairs, faculty and university leadership to use a team approach where necessary in solicitation   
• Refining proposals when needed to meet donor desires   
• Drafting gift agreements that serve as memorandums of understanding between donors and the university   
• Bringing final resolution to all major gift solicitations, whether yes or no  

20% - Stewardship activities focused on gift acknowledgement and grant management: 

• Ensuring the submission of donor required reports   
• Impact reporting not defined by donors   
• Direct contacts with funders including email, phone, virtual and in-person meetings   
• Extending invitations to funders to university sponsored activities as appropriate  

10% - Position specific administrative responsibilities: 

• Developing annual plans   
• Weekly contact reporting responsibilities   
• Monthly expense reporting responsibilities   
• Regular meetings with academic partners to ensure strategic and tactical alignment with funders and potential funders  

10% - Other duties as assigned: 

• Collaborating across other UA departments for broad success   
• Serving on campus hiring committees as needed   
• Interfacing with the WWU Foundation board of directors as required 

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's Degree  
• Minimum of four years experience in face-to-face donor/client cultivation activity, whether fundraising or sales with transactions of $10,000 or higher 
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and write grant proposals including a strong understanding of project budgets and how to work with program partners to develop compelling proposals 
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with people of diverse social identities and backgrounds 
• Proven experience with proposals, presentations, and other professional activities focused on a call to action which produces measurable revenue results 
• Demonstrated ability to organize, manage and prioritize multiple projects and activities 
• Welcoming and professional demeanor with a demonstrated ability to build relationships, establish trust, and discuss personal financial matters with the highest level of integrity 
• Ability to travel at least once a week within Washington State, and occasionally outside the state for overnight travel and availability to work on various nights and weekends throughout the year as required 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Major gift fundraising experience at the $25K level  
• Experience working on a campus in the higher education environment 
• Experience in cross-campus collaboration in a large organization 
• Experience working with a fundraising contact management software system 
• Experience working with corporations and foundations for philanthropic giving 
• Experience working on a large scale, organized fundraising campaign 

What’s in it for you: 

Salary: Hiring range for position is $86,766- 99,782 per year. Through longevity position tops out at $112,796 per year.  

Western Washington University offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time staff, including: 

• Health and Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance, wellness programs, and mental health resources. 
• Financial Benefits: Retirement plans, life and disability insurance, and employee discounts. 
• Campus Amenities: Library access, cultural and recreational activities, and diverse dining options. 
• Community and Environment: A beautiful, inclusive campus in Bellingham, WA, with a strong commitment to sustainability and diversity. 

Learn more about the benefits here: Benefits Overview for Administrative Professional Position 

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination: 

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs.    

See WWU’s Policy on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class (Interim). 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; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu   

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 Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3303 or 711 (Washington Relay).   

Please also see WWU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security and Campus Crime Statistics Act.   

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, including a sexual misconduct background check, will be conducted on all new hires and rehires.   

All employees must comply with Western Washington University Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire.  Please reach out to HR@wwu.edu if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.   

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis, to maximize the recruiting process.  We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us. 

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