Director of Development 1

The Opportunity:

The Cougar Athletic Fund (CAF) supports WSU Athletics to unleash excellence by providing a TRANSFORMATIVE STUDENT-ATLETE EXPERIENCE, while elevating Washington State University through COMPETITIVE EXCELLENCE, CAMPUS COLLABORATION, and COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. As part of WSU Advancement, the CAF puts Cougar spirit into action by engaging in meaningful philanthropic engagement to advance WSU’s land-grant mission and support students.

WSU Intercollegiate Athletics is looking for a Director of Development (level 1) to support the Cougar Athletic Fund’s (CAF) fundraising goals by planning and conducting outreach to promote constituents understanding of Athletics’ activities and goals, with the aim of cultivating donors and monetary support. Your efforts will include annual giving efforts, premium seating management, major gift development, and planned giving identification and advancements. There will be significant travel in Washington State, the Pacific Northwest, and elsewhere while you build donor relationships.

As Director of Development 1, you will manage a portfolio of approximately 100 prospective donors, make a minimum of 50 solicitations with an annual fundraising goal of $100,000.

Percentage Breakdown of Job Functions:
· 80% Donor Cultivation, Solicitation and Stewardship
· 15% Unit Specific Responsibilities
· 5% Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years Advancement experience or comparable experience in sales, marketing, or public relations that has involved direct face-to-face contact with clients, customers, prospective customers, and/or members of the public. A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience. Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year‐for‐year basis.

• Experience demonstrating strong interpersonal skills in establishing and maintaining internal and external relationships.

• Demonstrated ability to cultivate, develop and steward client/donor relationships.

• Understanding of proposal development and writing, fundraising and/or client development principles and techniques; project management skills; and relevant event planning/management.

• Demonstrated success in proposal writing and submission.

• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.

• Must be able and willing to work evenings and weekends as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in collegiate athletics.

• Fundraising experience closing gifts of $25,000 or above.

• A master’s degree in Sport Administration or a related field.

• Experience with alumni/donor/ticketing database applications.