Director of Development & Major Gifts

Washington State University; Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State University in Pullman, WA seeks a Director of Development 2 to lead fundraising campaigns for the Carson College of Business. The role focuses on donor discovery, annual giving, and major gifts while managing a large donor portfolio and meeting substantial annual goals.

Travel across Washington and the Pacific Northwest is required, with heavy emphasis on proposal development, relationship-building, and closing gifts of $50,000 or more.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, including one year of fundraising face-to-face gifts of $10,000+; Master’s may substitute for up to one year.
• Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain internal and external relationships.
• Ability to cultivate, develop and steward donor relationships.
• Understanding of proposal development/writing, fundraising principles, and event planning/management.
• Proven success in proposal writing and submission.
• Must have or obtain a valid driver’s license by time of hire; evenings/weekends required.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct outreach to promote understanding of Carson College activities and research.
• Cultivate donors through annual giving, major gifts ($50,000+) and planned gifts.
• Manage a portfolio of at least 150 prospective donors.
• Open/plan 10–15 major gift solicitations per year.
• Document/close 5–15 major gifts/pledges annually.
• Achieve an annual fundraising goal of $250,000+.
• Extensive travel within Washington State, the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Donor relationships

Proposal writing

Project management

Event planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s substitution for up to 1 year experience

Job description

Washington State University in Pullman, WA seeks a Director of Development 2 to lead fundraising campaigns for the Carson College of Business. The role focuses on donor discovery, annual giving, and major gifts while managing a large donor portfolio and meeting substantial annual goals.

Travel across Washington and the Pacific Northwest is required, with heavy emphasis on proposal development, relationship-building, and closing gifts of $50,000 or more.